What Is A Bail Hearing In Hennepin County
A bail hearing is a short court appearance where a Hennepin County District Court judge decides how much bail to set for a detained defendant. If bail is not set automatically at booking, the defendant must wait for this hearing before bail can be posted.
When Does A Bail Hearing Happen
In Hennepin County, most detained defendants have their first bail hearing within 36 to 48 hours of arrest. Minnesota law requires that a probable cause determination be made within 48 hours of a warrantless arrest. At this hearing, the judge also reviews bail.
What The Judge Looks At When Setting Bail
The judge considers several factors when deciding the bail amount. These include the severity of the charges, the defendant's criminal history, their risk of fleeing before trial, their ties to the community, their employment and housing stability, and whether they pose a risk to public safety.
A defense attorney can advocate for a lower bail amount by presenting information about the defendant's community ties, stable employment, family responsibilities, and lack of prior failures to appear in court.
Read more about how judges make bail decisions in Minneapolis.
What Happens After Bail Is Set
Once the judge sets bail, the amount is entered into the system and a bail bondsman can post the bond. Call us as soon as you know the bail amount and we will begin the process right away.
Post bail in Hennepin County now.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a bail hearing happen in Hennepin County?
Bail hearings in Hennepin County typically happen within 36 to 48 hours of arrest. For some charges, bail is set automatically at booking without a hearing.
Can family members attend the bail hearing?
Yes. Bail hearings are generally open to the public. Your presence can sometimes help demonstrate the defendant has family support, which can be a factor in setting lower bail.
What happens if bail is denied at the hearing?
If a judge denies bail, the defendant remains in custody until trial. This is more common for violent felonies or when the judge determines the defendant is a serious flight risk.
Can bail be reduced after it is set?
Yes. A defense attorney can file a motion to reduce bail. The judge will hold another hearing to review the request.
We post bail 24/7. Call us and we'll walk you through every step.