There are a variety of reasons you might be charged with a felony related to driving while intoxicated. This is a serious situation, one that requires an aggressive defense and likely the payment of a bail bond. How do you choose a bail bondsman?
What happened
There are many reasons for a felony DWI charge. Perhaps you were previously convicted of vehicular injury or homicide having to do with drugs or alcohol, or perhaps you have been convicted of felony DWI previously. On the other hand, the current arrest for impaired driving may be your fourth within a 10-year period.
Next steps
With this kind of charge against you, a court appearance is likely. Both the prosecutor and your criminal defense attorney will be present to argue for or against you. The judge will then make a decision as to the amount of bail you will need to post. If you cannot afford to pay the amount required, you can contact a bail bondsman, who will typically charge a fee of 10 percent of the amount ordered.
Ensuring professionalism
The Minnesota court system retains a list of approved bonding agencies and agents. To make the list, they must meet professional and ethical requirements. For example, they must be knowledgeable about state statutes and able to comply with court rules, bail bond program standards and the policies of the Judicial Branch and State Court Administrator.
Seeking a bail bondsman
The bail bondsman you want should be experienced with the proper court protocol, know how to use the appropriate forms and be current on any changes in court rules and regulations. An experienced attorney will be able to advise you when it is time to select a bail bondsman. Keep in mind that in the state of Minnesota, a felony DWI could result in a prison term of up to seven years. This is why the individual who posts bail on your behalf becomes so important to your case.
