After finally getting released on bond, there is a sense of relief that comes with no longer being detained and feeling like you can go back to living your life. There is however more work that needs to be done while one is out on bond. Here are the basics that not only keep you out of jail but can help your case in the process.
Follow all bond conditions
Probably the most vital piece of advice to give anyone who has been released on bond is it to make sure you are complying with any and all bond conditions. Bond conditions are the rules and stipulations the judge set out in exchange for release. It can be anything from a travel ban while the case is active to potentially having to take an anger management course or submitting for drug tests. Much like probation, these rules have to be followed otherwise you run the risk of being put back into jail and in some cases, adding additional charges onto your record.
Maintain employment
When a defendant comes back for arraignment as well as hearings that come after, a judge looks into what the defendant had been doing during their time out on release. One of the best ways to make a good impression, and in some cases this is mandatory as a part of bond conditions, is to maintain current employment or obtain employment. This is important to judges because they want to see defendants learning from past mistakes and working to be productive members of society. It is viewed that if you are working and showing up every day that your focus is more on staying out of trouble. It can also be really helpful to get a letter from a boss or supervisor telling the judge what a good worker you have been.
Volunteer
Much like maintaining employment, you can take it a step further and volunteer while out on bond. This will not only be viewed extremely favorably by a judge and show that you are looking to improve things but can also be really helpful when it comes to community service later on if needed since you will have already gained some experience and made connections. This is in addition to doing something that helps others and gains confidence.
Maintain relationships
The last thing a judge really looks at is if the defendant has been staying in touch with friends and most importantly family. The reason why this is important is because the more ties to the community and family a person has, the harder it is to drop off from society and run. The more someone keeps up with their loved ones, the more a part of society as a whole they are.
To sum up, the time between release and arraignment is a valuable opportunity to show the judge that you have grown since the charges were placed and it could be really helpful to your case going forward.
