If you are arrested and charged with a crime, the good news is you may never have to remain in jail for the entire period of your trial. If you qualify for bail, you may be released on certain conditions.
When you post bail with the court, you will be set free while awaiting the trial and outcome of your case. However, the court will also stipulate the conditions that you must adhere to while on bail.
With that said, here are three mistakes you need to steer clear of while out on bail.
Missing your court appearances
Jumping bail is, perhaps, the number one mistake you must never make while out on bail. If you miss a court date for no justifiable reason, the judge will issue an arrest warrant against you. And when you are caught, you will remain in jail for the remaining duration of your trial. Additionally, you could face an additional charge besides losing your bail money.
Engaging in an illegal activity
Committing a crime under any circumstance is wrong. However, if you already have a pending criminal case, the last thing you want is to find yourself on the wrong side of the law. If you are charged with DUI, for instance, and you are caught drunk driving again, you will be rearrested and charged with another DUI. This could lead to the revocation of your original bail. As a result, you might go to jail during your trial period.
Contacting the witnesses
Chances are the prosecution will line up witnesses to testify against you during the trial. Do not contact them with the goal of discussing the matter. The same is true about contacting your accuser. You risk having your bail revoked if you contact any of these parties. Besides, you might face an additional charge.
Facing a criminal charge can be overwhelming. Knowing your rights and obligations while on bail can help you avoid costly mistakes that can hurt your case and get you into further trouble.