Bail Application Lawyers in Geelong

If you or someone you know is applying for Bail in Victoria, Geelong Lawyers is here to help. Our experienced lawyers specialise in Bail Applications and understand the complexities of the bail process. We are committed to advocating for your rights. Our team prepares and presents a compelling case for your Bail, addressing all legal criteria and emphasising factors that support your release.

What Does Bail Mean?

In Victoria, Bail allows a person who is charged and arrested to be released from police custody or remand. If Bail is denied, the individual remains in custody until the case is resolved or a subsequent Bail Application succeeds.

Depending on an individual’s charges, the Bail Act may require an individual to demonstrate either ‘exceptional circumstances’ or ‘compelling reasons’ why Bail should be granted. In addition, the police may allege an individual is an ‘unacceptable risk’ of endangering the safety of any person or failing to attend Court if released into the community.

Bail is an important step in the handling of a case. It can be granted at any time after the moment of arrest. If the police do not release a person on bail after charge, then the accused is entitled to apply for Bail before a Magistrate in the Magistrates’ Court.

We are here for you

When Do I Need a lawyer for a bail application?

You should consider hiring a Bail lawyer if you or someone you know has been arrested and remanded by the police. A Bail lawyer is crucial in navigating the complexities of the Bail process and advocating for your release from custody while awaiting the case to ultimately finalise.

Bail lawyers have specialised knowledge of the Bail Application process. The period between arrest and trial can be long, especially in higher courts. A Bail lawyer works to minimise the risk of you remaining in police custody during this time.

If you’re facing a situation where your freedom is at stake, contacting a dedicated lawyer like the team at Geelong Lawyers, is an essential step in protecting your rights and ensuring the best possible outcome.

Get In Touch

FAQs

When Can a Person Apply for Bail?

A person can apply for Bail at several key points during the legal process:

Immediately After Arrest: Once arrested and charged, an individual can apply for Bail during their first appearance in front of a Magistrate or Judge.
At Any Subsequent Court Appearance: If Bail is initially denied, or if conditions of Bail need to be revised, a second application can be made by filing an Application for Bail with the relevant Court.
Higher Courts: If Bail is refused in a lower court, the decision can be appealed and applied for again in the Supreme Court if there is legal merit.

Having a skilled criminal defence lawyer is crucial when applying for Bail. The team at Geelong Lawyers can effectively present the case, argue for your release, and navigate through the Bail Application process.

What are the Different Bail Conditions?

There may be some conditions on Bail depending on the severity of your offence or your past criminal record. A skilled Bail Application lawyer can argue for the least restrictive conditions that still satisfy the court’s concerns and reduce the impact on the accused’s life.

Bail conditions can include:

Having to reside at a specified address;
Being subject to a nightly curfew;
Periodic reporting to the police station;
Surrendering your passport;
Not being able to leave the state and/or country; and
Not being able to contact the witnesses or co-accused

The team at Geelong Lawyers can help you with the process of bail. Our team helps clients understand their bail conditions in detail.

Do I Need to have a surety or Bail Guarantor for a Bail Application?

You will only need to pay a deposit or ‘surety’ if a Magistrate includes this as a condition of Bail. You will receive a refund once all court proceedings have finished, provided you met all the conditions of your bail. However, if you violated any bail conditions or did not show up for your court appearance, your deposit could be forfeited. In such cases, you will not be reimbursed.

What is CISP?

Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) is a bail support program.

This program provides support services to reduce the likelihood of re-offending. CISP can begin anytime between being charged and sentencing.

The CISP provides support for the following programs:

drug and alcohol treatment services
crisis and supported accommodation
disability and mental health services
Aboriginal specific services
LGBTQ services
family violence services for victims and perpetrators

What Happens if You Breach Bail Conditions?

If you are released on bail in Victoria and violate any of your bail conditions, you could face severe consequences. Here’s what might happen if you breach your bail:

Revocation of Bail: The court might revoke your bail and remand you in custody until your Trial or other legal matters are resolved.
Additional Conditions: The court could impose additional bail conditions if it finds the original ones were not adequate.
Forfeiture of Surety: If a surety was provided, the court might order its forfeiture.
Charges of contravening bail conditions. You may be charged by Victoria Police for breaching your conditions of bail or failing to answer bail.

If you’re unclear about the conditions or worried about adhering to them, it’s important to consult with a qualified criminal defence lawyer. The team at Geelong Lawyers can guide you through the bail application process and is well-equipped to advocate for you.