Read This Before Standing As Surety for a Criminal Bail Hearing

Being a surety is a huge responsibility because a surety is a person who agrees to be liable for someone accused of a crime during the time that the accused is out on bail. You need to make sure that you fully understand what you are getting into before accepting the role of a surety.

Your Responsibilities As A Surety

Are you aware that the responsibilities of a surety will take months to years, and will still continue even after the case has been marked over and closed? Do you know that you will be liable if the accused ever fails to obey the conditions or terms of the court, and stand to lose whatever amount of money you’ve pledged? This is why you must reconsider acting as someone’s surety if you are not certain that you can supervise the accused individual in the community.

Being a surety means that you’ making a commitment to the court that you can be sure to bring the accused individual to court for every hearing date. You’re also promising that the accused will follow the terms of the court while out on bail. This is a lot of work for no compensation!

No Compensation Allowed

Accepting money or any fee in return of being a surety is not permitted by the law. In fact, you’ll face a criminal charge of obstructing justice if ever found that you’ve accepted compensation in exchange for being a surety.

Who Can Be A Surety?

A surety must meet the qualifications set for a specific case (which is based on allegations) and must pass a background check by the judge including having to submit requested documents.

As for relieving yourself of your duty as a surety, you may do so in person during a court date or by submitting a written application.

Calvin Barry is a Criminal Lawyer in Toronto with more than 3 decades of experience helping people who’ve faced a problem acting as sureties. Call Calvin Barry Law for a consultation ASAP or contact us at Facebook or Twitter with your details and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.