Why Hiring A Greensboro Criminal Lawyer for a First Appearance is Helpful

A lot of people wonder why hiring a Greensboro criminal lawyer for a first appearance is helpful. The reason is because a District Court first appearance is an opportunity to learn things about the prosecution’s case against a loved in one in jail and it is an opportunity to have the bond set by a District Court Judge. When someone is arrested, a Magistrate will usually set the first bond and any additional conditions of pretrial release. Though these conditions and bond amount may be adjusted during a bond motion at a later date, there is also a chance to have that bond potentially reduced at a first appearance.

When a person is arrested, they are entitled to a first appearance before a District Court Judge fairly quickly if they can’t make bond. A judge then sets the conditions of pretrial release based on a number of factors set forth in North Carolina General Statute 15A-534. These include a defendant’s length of residence and other ties to the community, history of failing to appear, the nature of the charges against the defendant, the weight of the evidence, among many others. Greensboro criminal lawyers can act quickly to make sure these factors are taken into account when the bond is set.

Having a criminal lawyer present at a first appearance can be helpful because the attorney can speak for the client to avoid any incriminating statements, find out early details about the prosecution’s case, and present evidence that the client is not dangerous or a flight risk and therefore does not need to have an expensive bond set. Contact Aberle & Wall if you have any questions.