Bond conditions 101: What to expect when you’re being charged with a crime
- Reporting to a probation officer: If you are released on bond, you may be required to report to a probation officer on a regular basis. The probation officer will monitor your compliance with bond conditions and report any violations to the court.
- Restrictions on travel: You may be prohibited from leaving the state or the country while your case is pending. If you need to travel for work or other reasons, you may need to seek permission from the court.
- Restrictions on contact with certain individuals: The judge may prohibit you from having contact with certain individuals, such as victims or witnesses in your case, or from being in certain locations where these individuals may be present.
- Prohibition on possession of weapons: You may be prohibited from possessing any weapons while your case is pending. This includes firearms, knives, and other dangerous instruments.
- Requirements to undergo treatment: If your charges are related to substance abuse or mental health issues, the judge may require you to undergo treatment as a condition of your bond.
- Curfew: You may be required to observe a curfew, which means that you must be home at certain times of the day or night.
- Electronic monitoring: You may be required to wear an electronic monitoring device, such as an ankle bracelet, to ensure that you are complying with bond conditions.
If you have been charged with domestic violence, the judge may impose additional bond conditions to protect the safety of the alleged victim and any other household members. These bond conditions may include:
- No contact orders: You may be prohibited from having any contact with the alleged victim or any other household members. This may include in-person contact, communication by phone or email, or through third parties.
- Surrender of firearms: You may be required to surrender any firearms that you own or possess to the court or to a third party designated by the court. This is to ensure that you do not have access to weapons while your case is pending.
- Domestic violence counseling: You may be required to attend counseling or treatment for domestic violence as a condition of your bond. This may include individual therapy, group therapy, or other types of treatment.
- Anger management: You may be required to attend anger management classes or counseling as a condition of your bond. This is to help you learn coping skills and techniques to manage your emotions and prevent future incidents of domestic violence.
If you have been charged with DWI or DUI, the judge may impose bond conditions to ensure that you do not operate a vehicle while your case is pending. These bond conditions may include:
- Surrender of driver’s license: You may be required to surrender your driver’s license to the court or to a third party designated by the court. This is to ensure that you do not operate a vehicle while your case is pending.
- Installation of an ignition interlock device: You may be required to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle that you own or operate. This device requires you to blow into a breathalyzer before starting the vehicle. If your blood alcohol concentration exceeds a certain level, the vehicle will not start.
- Prohibition on driving: You may be prohibited from operating any vehicle while your case is pending. This means that you will need to find alternative means of transportation, such as public transportation, ride-sharing, or carpooling.
- Alcohol counseling: You may be required to attend counseling or treatment for alcohol abuse as a condition of your bond. This may include individual therapy, group therapy, or other types of treatment.
If you have been charged with sexually assaulting a child who lives in your home, the judge may impose bond conditions to protect the safety of the child and any other household members. These bond conditions may include:
- No contact orders: You may be prohibited from having any contact with the child or any other household members. This may include in-person contact, communication by phone or email, or through third parties.
- Restrictions on living arrangements: You may be required to move out of the home or to have no contact with the child while your case is pending. This may mean that you need to find alternative living arrangements or that you are only allowed in the home when the child is not present.
- Prohibition on possession of weapons: You may be prohibited from possessing any weapons while your case is pending. This includes firearms, knives, and other dangerous instruments.
- Limitations on internet usage: You may be required to limit or monitor your internet usage as a condition of your bond. This may include installing monitoring software on your computer or device, or only using the internet in the presence of a third party.
- Sex offender treatment: You may be required to attend treatment or counseling for sex offenders as a condition of your bond. This may include individual therapy, group therapy, or other types of treatment.
It is important to note that these bond conditions are in addition to any other bond conditions that the judge may impose in your case. It is essential to comply with all bond conditions to avoid being arrested and returned to jail. It is also important to consult with a criminal defense lawyer to understand the bond conditions that apply to your case and to ensure that you are in compliance with them.