Polar Opposites

So earlier this week I had a felony docket. We had a random variety of offenses including sex crimes, theft, and drug crimes. We did, however, have two separate cases up for bond hearings. The range of crimes shows why bond might be granted in one case and denied in another.

The first case was a bond hearing for a man who's soon to be ex-wife claimed that he had abducted her across state lines. This case would have made sense except for the fact the day before the alleged kidnapping the "victim" text messaged the defendant and stated she couldn't "wait to go and visit him." Needless to say the judge gave the defendant bond despite the fact the "victim" claimed she was so scared that she could not enter the courtroom.

The next case was a sex offender. This individual had already been incarcerated and on probation/parole for previous sex offense. Despite already being punished and undergoing sex offender therapy this defendant allegedly raped another individual. Some genius of a judge decided that he should be freed on bond. Needless to say the defendant once again tried to rape another victim but this victim was able to get away. The judge in this case of course denied bond.

You can see from these diverse cases why some criminal defendants get bond and some do not.