In
October of 1985, the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas
Established a county bail program that would provide services
to the Court Of Common Pleas and the Minor Judiciary in
matters pertaining to pre-trial release of defendants accused
of criminal offenses.
This
program is known as Beaver County Pre-Trial Services
Under
this system of bail, if the accused is arrested and charged
with a criminal offense, he or she may be eligible for:
1. Supervised
10% cash bail in a given dollar amount.
1A.
Supervised 10% cash bail in an amount to be determined
after bond
investigation
and risk assessment.
2. Supervised
nominal bail.
3. Supervised
property bond.
Note:
Straight cash bail, property bonds, and R.O.R. bonds
will be accepted for supervision by Pre-Trial Services
at the request of the Court of Common Pleas Judge or
District Justice releasing a person under one of these
methods.
10%
CASH BAIL
The
accused may qualify for the 10% program. Example: Bail
is set at $1,000.00; a $100.00 cash sum is required for
release. The sum may be in the form of cash, certified
bank check, or credit card. The bail bond may be
posted by the accused or with the assistance of a Third
Party Surety (person who will assume responsibility for
the defendant to appear for all court proceedings). A
Third Party Surety will guarantee full payment of the
balance of the bond if the accused fails to appear for
all court proceedings.
All
bail is to be posted with the Clerk of Courts at the
Courthouse. A filing fee will be charged.
If
the accused complied with all bail conditions of a third
party bond and the case reached final disposition, then
70% of the posted amount would be returned to the third
party surety, i.e., unless otherwise specified. The
balance of the posted amount (30%) will be retained as
costs of administration.
Example
A: (Third Party Surety)
Bail
is set at $2,000.00 and $200.00 in cash plus the service
fee is used to post a bond by Third Party Surety. After
final disposition $140.00 (70% of $200.00) is returned
to the Third Party Surety or placed on the defendant=s
court costs and fines if agreed upon by the Third Party
Surety; $60.00 (30% of $200.00) is issued for costs of
administration. The filing fee will be retained.
Example
B: (Defendant Surety)
Bail
is set at $2,000.00 and $200.00 plus the service fee
is posted by the accused. After final disposition
$140.00 (70% of $200.00) is applied to court costs, fines
and restitution. $60.00 (30% of $200.00) is retained
as administrative costs.
If
the defendant posted his own bond without a third party
surety and complied with all bail conditions, all remaining
money is applied to his/her
Court
costs, fines and restitution.
The
defendant will be supervised by Beaver County Pre-Trial
Services until the case reaches final disposition. He/she
will be subject to our rules and regulations. If
the defendant fails to appear at any time during criminal
Proceedings or court hearings, the 10% will be forfeited
and the remainder of the bail money will be paid to the
county.
Example
C: (Forfeiture)
Bail
was set at $10,000.00 and $1,000.00 was posted; if bail
is forfeited, then the $1,000.00 is retained and the
balance of $9,000.00 is owed to the county by the defendant
or the Third Party Surety.
NOMINAL
BAIL
In
some cases, the District Justice may decide that a monetary
bond is not necessary. The District Justice has
the authority to release a defendant on his/her own recognizance
(R.O.R.) or nominal bail. If the District Justice
elects this bail with supervision, then the defendant
would report to Pre-Trial Services. A service fee
will be charged.
PROPERTY
BOND
Property
bonds are ordered by the Court. Only real estate
property (i.e., homes, land) can be used. No moveable
property (i.e., vehicles, trailers) is accepted. The
market value must equal the bond amount, and the property
must be free and clear of all liens. This is researched
by the Lawyer=s
Abstract Office for a fee.
RETURN
OF DEPOSIT MONEY
1. Save
your receipt.
2. When
the case has reached final disposition, monies posted
by a Third Party Surety will be returned to that person
by U.S. Postal Service after all re-file and appeal periods
have expired. The Clerk of Courts will mail refund
checks on alternate Fridays.
POINTS
TO REMEMBER
1. At
least $30.00 will be retained in all 10% cases.
2. 10%
cash deposits will only be returned to the Third Party
Surety.
3. In
the event the bail is forfeited, the 10% deposit is retained
and the
full
amount of bail is due by the defendant or the Third Party
Surety.
4. No
professional or commercial bondsman may post bail or
act as
Third
Party Surety through this program.
5. A
$21.00 filing fee will be charged by the Clerk of Courts.
RULES
AND REGULATIONS OF THE PROGRAM
Report
within 24 hours of release from the Beaver County
Jail
1. Report
as directed.
2. Report
any change of address within 48 hours.
3. Notify
the office of any new charges.
4. Report
any continuation or termination of your case.
5. Reply
to all communications/notifications to appear.
6. Report
the receipt of any notice for appearances.
7. Do
not travel outside the county or state without notifying
the Pre-Trial
Services
Office.
8. Supervision may include the use of electronic
monitoring or day reporting as conditions of pre-trial
release.
An additional fee will be assessed for this level of
supervision..
SERVICES
PROVIDED BY THE
BEAVER
COUNTY PRE-TRIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Provide
information to the minor judiciary and the court to assist
in the decision making process of setting/modifying bail.
Make
recommendations for bail reductions.
Supervise
those released on bail through this program to assure
the citizens of the community that the court monitors
and supervises these individuals.
Make
referrals to social agencies for defendant who needs
treatment (resulting in much quicker services).
Notify
all defendants under the program of all dates involving
future court appearances.
Interview
and screen inmates at the jail for possible release.
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