CRIMINAL LAW

Criminal Law - The most important thing in Criminal Defense is to start early and be aggressive! Typically, It is much easier dealing with the prosecution if your attorney is hired early and can start communicating with the DA before an indictment is filed. When defending, Gallup Law Firm, P.C. avails itself of it’s aggressive natures to assist clients in the safeguarding of their rights and in producing a rigorous defense to their criminal accusations. This firm has extensive experience defending the rights of people arrested and accused of criminal offenses. This firm handles all types of criminal cases, including minor infractions and misdemeanors and the most serious felony indictments, such as, drunk driving - DUI/DWI, drug possession, narcotics sales, theft and grand larceny, white collar fraud, embezzlement, sex offenses, probation violation and conspiracy. Gallup Law Firm particularly specializes in securities fraud as well.

Bail and Release-

When police book a suspect into jail, the Sheriff's place bail as a condition of the suspect's release before his court appearance based upon a bail schedule devised by the court.
The police often book suspects on multiple charges, knowing that the stacking of charges results in a higher and more burdensome amount of bail. If a suspect wants to be released before the first court date, he or she must post bail either through a bail bondsman or directly with the jail. If the suspect uses a bail bondsman, the bondsman typically charges up to 10% of the total amount of the bail as the bail bondsman's fee for undertaking the risk that the suspect will not make his required appearances in court. If the suspect posts bail directly with the jail, he must pay the full amount of the bail in cash.

It is almost always better to use a bail bondsman to post bail. The bondsman is experienced and can get the suspect released far earlier than a relative posting cash bail with the jail. Secondly, if cash bail is made directly to the jail, the suspect or his family will not have their money returned for at least two to three months after the suspect's case is resolved.
Finally, if the suspect skips bail, the bondsman is ultimately responsible for bringing the suspect back to court and must pay the entire amount of the bond if he cannot capture and surrender the suspect back into custody.

If a family member or friend posts bail directly with the jail and the defendant skips bail, the family or friend will lose the entire amount of bail deposited, unless the defendant surrenders or is returned to custody within six months after the court declares a forfeiture of the defendant's bail bond.

Tip: Usually, if you do not have an extensive criminal history regarding prior convictions, if bail is set by the Court, you can opt to be released to the supervision of Pre-Trial Services. This can save a client much money as you may not need the services of a bondsman. However, usually an attorney is needed in order to effect the release.

Additionally, often, when the bail is initially set too high for what the suspect is accused of, a good lawyer can successfully persuade the court to substantially lower the bail, or, release the suspect on his own recognizance, thus saving the suspect and his family a lot of money on bail.
Your freedom and record are too important to entrust to just any attorney.

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO JAIL, CONTACT MY OFFICE FOR A FREE CONSULTATION AND I WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR RELEASE FROM JAIL AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME.