Expert: Philip Sweeting - 12/19/2004

Question
Hi,
  I'm not sure if this is in your realm of knowledge but I'll give it a shot. We have just found out that my two year old neice has been molested by her stepgrandfather. The judge has set his bail at twenty grand. My question is, when they arrest him, how hard will it be for him to make bail? I know with a misdemeanor you have to pay ten percent and can call a bails bondsman, but with this type of offense, how would all of that work? Also, when he makes bail, would he be allowed around children until we go to court? Hope you can help, Thanks so much...Jessica

Answer
As for the bail, no matter the crime if you have the money you can post your own bail or if you don't have the money a bondsman will require ten percent which is his payment for posting the entire amount. In this instance if the grandfather can pay $2,000.00 he should be able to get out.

As far as being around kids, in some cases the judge will set conditions for release in addition to bail. For instance he may have order him not to be around any kids as a condition of his release. If that is the case and he is found to be with kids his bond can be revoked and he will go back to jail.

You need to find out if any of those conditions have been set by the court. Hope this helps.