A $1 million dollar bail bond is generally only seen in very serious criminal charges, but million dollar crimes are seen more frequently than you would think. So what does having a $1 million dollar bail actually mean?
$1 Million Dollar Crimes
When it comes to a $1 million dollar bail crimes, the most commonly associated crime is … murder. While 1st and 2nd-degree murder charges may have no bail under certain circumstances, each case is reviewed and the factors of the defendant and the charges are taken into account at arraignment. The judge and district attorney consider many different factors about the defendant, including their criminal history, flight risk, the track record of showing up to court appearance, and potential for further danger to the community when bail is set.
When it comes to $1 million dollar bail crimes, murder is not the only violent crime that shows up on this list. Violent crimes against law enforcement and children, large scale drug or weapons distribution, and even white-collar and financial crimes can result in having a $1 million dollar total bail amount set.
How Much Does A $1 Million Dollar Bail Bond Cost?
Depending on the state and county, the non-refundable fee you’re likely to pay a bail bond agent to post bond on your behalf costs between 10-15% of the total bail amount set. This means if you have committed a crime and are granted a total bail amount of $1 million dollars, you would not have a 1 million dollar bond, instead you’re likely to instead owe a bail bond agent between $100,000 to $150,000. The $100,000-$150,000 that you pay a bail bond agent to help secure your release from jail is non-refundable, even if you’re found innocent or the case is dismissed. If you decide against using a bail bondsman, you would need to come up with a million dollars in cash to secure release before the court date.
What Does Having a $1,000,000 Bond Amount Mean?
Unlike having a misdemeanor charge where you can have a low bail amount set or even be released on your own recognizance, a serious crime with a higher bail means the judge has determined the defendant to be an extreme flight risk, a high a potential for violence, or a risk to the safety of the public.
Many people get the differences between bail and bond confused. Bail is the total amount determined by a judge that you will need to pay the courts in order to secure your release from jail. If you needed to pay 1 million for a bond, then that would mean your total bail amount would be over 10 million dollars. So, if you have had a total bail amount set at a million dollars, use our online directory to instead find a reputable bail bondsman who will be on your side throughout the whole process while charging you a non-refundable fee equal to around 10% of the total bail amount.
