When a judge is deciding whether or not to set bail, one of the factors they will consider is whether or not the defendant is a flight risk. The judge wants to make sure you appear for all of your court dates, and people who seem like they may not show up are often denied bail. Here are a few factors judges consider when deciding whether or not a person is a flight risk.
Nearby Family
If you have a family in the area, particularly a spouse and children, you’re typically considered a low flight risk. Most people won’t abandon their families forever just to avoid going to jail.
Employment
Another important tie to the community is whether or not you have a job. Generally, people who have jobs are going to continue going to and from work while they’re out on bail, and are much less likely to skip than those who are unemployed.
Your Previous Record (If Any)
One of the tell-tale signs that someone is a serious flight risk is if they’ve done it before. Keep in mind that you don’t have to necessarily intend to leave town forever to be considered skipping bail. If you have a spotty record of showing up for court dates, you could be considered a flight risk.
Financial Status
People who are wealthy are often more likely to skip bail because they have the funds to do so. However, simply being rich doesn’t necessarily mean that a judge is going to deny you bail. Your financial status is just one of several factors that the judge will consider when deciding if, and how much, to set your bail.
Your Flight Risk Affects Your Bail Amount
If a judge deems you to be a flight risk, they may not deny you bail outright. Instead, they can set your bail at a higher amount to provide a bigger financial incentive to show up for court.
