When someone is arrested and taken to jail in Lexington County, they are taken to the Detention Center. This is located on the same property as the Sheriff's Department at 521 Gibson Road, Lexington, South Carolina 29072.
The first event in their case will be their appearance in Bond Court. The purpose of a bond hearing is to determine the conditions of the defendant's release prior to their trial—including the amount of cash that must be posted or guaranteed by a bail bondsman. Bond Court is scheduled twice daily Monday through Friday and once in the morning on Saturday and Sunday. The Court is located next to the jail.
What to Expect at Bond Court
When you arrive, the first thing you should do is check in at the window. This will not only help you verify that you are in the correct location, but also ensure that you know when your person's bond hearing will be scheduled.
After you check in, you should sit in the lobby area. While you are waiting, it is important to remain quiet—loud talking can disrupt the procedures in Court. A Bond Court representative will come into the lobby prior to Court starting to review the procedures for that date. They will also announce when it is time for you to move into the courtroom for your hearing. Bond proceedings in South Carolina are open to the public, and anyone is allowed to come inside the courtroom to observe any hearing.
Do not bring your cell phone into Bond Court. Purses and bags are also not allowed. When you enter the courtroom, you will have to empty your pockets and go through security check.. Bond proceedings generally go by fairly quickly. In most cases, unless you are the victim, you will not be given an opportunity to talk to the judge. The defendants are brought to a doorway and kept behind a metal gate. The judge will review with them their charge, their right to a trial, and their right to an attorney. The judge will also ask them questions about their prior criminal history, employment, and living situation.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge will announce the amount of the bond. It is important that anyone in the audience not react either positively or negatively to the Court’s decision. Strict decorum in the courtroom is maintained at all times. Any comments or failure to follow the Bond Court rules can subject the defendant or an audience member to contempt of Court sanctions, which could include a fine or up to thirty days in jail.
You can post the bond (either by yourself or with a bondsman) after the hearing. Generally, it takes 3-5 hours once the bond is posted for the defendant to be released. When they are, they will exit from the Detention Center's front door.
Why Retaining a Lawyer for Bond Court Matters
At the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we frequently represent defendants in Bond Court, handling both misdemeanor and felony charges. We can be retained only for Bond Court or for the entire case, and if we are retained for the entire case, Bond Court services are provided at no additional cost.
Having an experienced lawyer appear in Bond Court can often result in a lower bond being set, which can save families money on bondsman fees. In many cases we've seen our clients receive personal recognizance ("PR") bonds, which mean that they are released from jail for free. Additionally, lawyers can provide valuable advocacy for the court to impose fair and reasonable conditions of release. For example, in domestic violence cases, the court will often automatically impose a no-contact order, restricting communication between the person arrested and their partner. This can create substantial inconvenience for families. Our office can request the court not to impose these restrictions, helping our clients and their families avoid unnecessary hardship.
James Snell has been practicing criminal defense law in Lexington, South Carolina, for over twenty years. Our extensive experience in Bond Court allows us to provide skilled representation that can make a significant difference in the outcome of a bond hearing. If you or a loved one needs representation in Bond Court, contact us today for assistance. We offer free consultations, which can be scheduled by calling (803) 359-3301. Same day and immediate service is frequently available.
Legal Disclaimer: Prior results obtained on behalf of prior clients do not mean that similar results will be obtained on behalf of other clients in other matters.