1st degree murder is the most serious type of murder charge that can be brought against a defendant. In most states, 1st degree murder is defined as a premeditated and intentional killing. In other words, the defendant planned to kill the victim and carried out that plan with the specific intent to cause the victim’s death. Because of the seriousness of this crime 1st degree murder bail is typically set very high or may not be granted at all.
When a person is charged with 1st degree murder, they are often held in jail without being granted bail altogether. This means they will remain in jail until the end of their trial or until a judge decides to release them pending trial.
Bail for 1st Degree Murder
If bail is granted for 1st degree murder charges, the amount of bail is typically very high due to the severity of the crime. The bail cost is determined by a Judge and will depend on a variety of factors, including the defendant’s criminal record, whether the murder was premeditated or not, and the strength of the prosecution’s case. Murder is sometimes charged along with other serious crimes such as assault with a deadly weapon or sexual assault, resulting in even higher total bail amounts.
It is important to note that 1st degree murder is not the same as other types of homicide charges such as 2nd degree murder or manslaughter. For instance, voluntary manslaughter is considered a lesser offense than 1st degree murder because it is not premeditated. In contrast, involuntary manslaughter is considered even less serious because it involves killing someone by accident or without the intent to cause harm. The total bail amounts for these offenses may be considerably less than the bail amounts for a 1st or 2nd degree murder charge.
In some cases, a defendant may be charged as an accessory to 1st degree murder. This means that they were not the actual perpetrator of the crime, but they were involved in some way. For example, they may have helped plan the murder, provided the murder weapon, or provided a false alibi. The total bail amount for being charged as an accessory to 1st degree murder will also depend on the specifics of the case and the defendant’s criminal record.
Bail Bonds for 1st Degree Murder
1st degree murder bail amounts can be considerably high. If a defendant cannot afford to pay the full amount of bail, they may choose to work with a local, reputable bail bondsman. A bail bondsman is a licensed professional who can post bond on behalf of a defendant in exchange for a non-refundable fee that is equal to 10% of the total bail amount. Once the bond has been posted, the defendant is then released from jail pending trial.
If you have been given a total bail amount and cannot afford to pay it, use our online bail bond calculator for murder to determine the amount you’ll need to pay a bail bond agent to post bond on your behalf.