Attempted murder is a criminal offense in which an individual intentionally takes a substantial step towards killing another person and comes dangerously close without causing the person’s death.
When someone is charged with a serious crime such as attempted murder, one of the first concerns is how much they will need to pay for bail to be released from jail while awaiting trial. The total bail amount for attempted murder charges varies greatly depending on the specifics of the case and the individual accused of committing the crime.
Potential Legal Defense Options for Attempted Murder
If you or someone you know is facing an attempted murder charge, it is important to contact a reputable defense attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help navigate the legal system, negotiate bail amounts, and work to build a strong defense case. Common legal defenses for attempted murder include:
- Lack of specific intent: They may claim that their actions were accidental, reckless, or impulsive, and that they did not intend to cause harm.
- Lack of capacity to form intent: The accused may argue that they were not mentally capable of forming the intent to kill or cause serious bodily harm due to drug/alcohol use, mental illness, or another impairment.
- Self-defense or defense of others: They may claim that they reasonably believed that they or someone else was in imminent danger, and that their actions were necessary to protect themselves or others.
Bail for Attempted Murder
In most cases, the bail set for attempted murder charges will be quite high due to the severity of the crime. In some states attempted murder charges can carry a potential sentence of up to 20 years or more in prison.
Ultimately the total bail amount for attempted murder charges will depend on several factors, including the specifics of the case, the defendant’s criminal record, flight risk, and likelihood of conviction. If the defendant has a criminal record, presents a weak defense, and/or the judge feels the accused will not return to court on the day of their trial, bail amounts for attempted murder can become extremely high or denied altogether.
In addition to attempted murder charges, there are several other serious crimes often associated with attempted murder that may result in higher total bail amounts. Assault with a deadly weapon, involuntary manslaughter, and drug offenses involving controlled substances are just a few examples. In cases like these, a local, reputable bail bondsman can be a valuable resource in helping the defendant secure a bail bond, allowing them to be released from jail.
Bail Bonds for Attempted Murder
Bail bond agents work for a bonds company and can help individuals navigate the bail process, often providing free consultations to discuss the specifics of the case and help determine the best course of action. Bail bond agents will charge a non-refundable fee, equal to 10% of the total bail amount, in exchange for posting bond on behalf of the accused.
If you have been granted a total attempted murder bail amount, use our online bail bond calculator for attempted murder to determine the amount you’ll need to pay a bail bond agent to post bond on your behalf.