How Bail Works in Minnesota

When you are arrested for a crime in Minneapolis and St.Paul, MN you will be taken to jail and held until you can post bail. A bail payment is intended to guarantee that you return to court to address your case. When you do return, you receive your bail money back from the court. If you do not return the court forfeit your money and a warrant will be issued for your arrest. You may then have to post an additional bail to be released from custody.

Many lower level crimes, do not require bail, however, if you’ve been charged with a more serious crime, you will be held in jail until you get a hearing before a judge to set bail. This hearing needs to occur within 36 hours of your arrest, excluding the day of arrest, holidays and Sundays..

If you are unable to post your own bail, you will be given an opportunity to contact bail bond companies for help financing your release. However, if you have been charged with a serious crime and are waiting for a judge to set your bail, your main focus should be on retaining an attorney who is experienced in cases like yours. He or she can speak on your behalf at a bail hearing and argue for your release on low or no bail.

Only in the most extreme circumstances will you not be offered an opportunity to post bail. If the judge does determine you are to be held in custody until your trial, your attorney may be able to have that decision modified down the line so you don’t have to stay in jail until your trial.