Here at Affordable Bail Bonding, we take pride in offering fast bail bonds in South Boston and the surrounding area. Our experienced bondsmen are able to help individuals come up with the money they need to post bail in most instances so that they can get out of jail and prepare for their upcoming court dates. However, our team is not above the law and there are certain crimes that Virginia law designates as non-bondable offenses. That means there may be some instances in which we are unable to help restore your loved one’s freedom.
We believe that knowledge is power, which is why we’ll review five non-bondable offenses in part one of this two-part series. Check them out below and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about whether your loved one is eligible to be released on bail.
Non-Bondable Offenses in Virginia
Serious Violent Crimes
Some crimes immediately classify the offender as a danger to themselves and the public. In these instances, it is not surprising when bond is denied. It might seem obvious that your loved one will be denied bond if he or she has committed an offense that is particularly serious or violent, but what defines a “serious violent” crime? Generally speaking, if the crime carries a maximum sentence of either life in prison or death, then it is a serious violent crime. Examples of these crimes include:
- Abduction
- Arson
- Burglary with a deadly weapon
- Carjacking
- Malicious wounding
- Murder
- Rape and other felony sexual crimes
- Robbery
- Terrorism
- Voluntary manslaughter
Firearms Crimes
The number of firearms crimes seem to be on the rise here in Virginia. Those who are accused of crimes involving firearms may be denied bond in a few specific circumstances. In particular, three offenses require a judge to hand down jail time to the offender, which means that magistrates cannot let them out on bond. These three instances are:
- Individuals with a gun and non-marijuana drugs
- Previously convicted felons with a gun
- Individuals using a gun on church or school property
Third Felony
This is not to say that every defendant who is accused of their third felony is denied bond. Quite the contrary, many three-time offenders are eligible to post bail and get out of jail. However, if an individual has two prior serious violent felonies, they may be denied bond based on their criminal history. This is true regardless of whether the previous felonies were committed in Virginia, or if they were committed in another state.
Second Serious Drug Crimes
You’ve heard of the “three strikes and you’re out” rule, right? Virginia has a similar rule with serious drug crimes, but rather than three strikes, individuals are only granted two strikes. Whether or not someone is denied bond often depends upon the specific drug involved. For example, marijuana crimes are not considered offenses for which bond is denied. While there may be exceptions for some other drugs, the law stands firm in that for other drugs, two serious drug offenses mean no potential for bond.
Other Serious Crimes
The four offenses we have discussed so far are very specific in nature, so “other serious crimes” may seem like a bit of a catchall at this point. However, other specific offenses are deemed to be so grievous that they are automatically not eligible for bond. Examples of these offenses include committing sexual crimes with children under the age of 15, obstructing justice by threats of violence or force, and gang membership.
Have Questions About Bail Bonds in South Boston?
While the bail bonds process is fairly straightforward in most instances, there may be instances where you or your loved one won’t have the option of posting bail to get out of jail quickly. We urge you to contact our team of experienced bail bond agents with any questions you have about bail bonds in South Boston, including whether or not your loved one is eligible to be released on bail. We are happy to provide you with all the information you need to navigate your current situation and best support your loved one during their tough time. Our team is standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so contact us right away.