The Bail Game: How New York City's Bail System Works

PROCESS AND PUNISHMENT THE BAIL GAME YOU'VE BEEN Jail Time Head back to Rikers or, if you've serious time to do, upstate. Home Free No worries? Maybe. Maybe not. The arrest can stay on your record. ARRESTED Collateral Consequences If public housing, military service or student loans were in your plans, you might have to make new ones, thanks to your guilty plea or trial conviction. Plea, Please? Take the DA's deal and go directly to Collateral Consequences. Or say no, and wait to hear about bail. Arraignment Time Case dismissed, go directly Home! If not, wait to hear the DA's offer. HOME SWEET НОМЕ Trial Run Commuting from Rikers? Your chances of conviction are higher. Celebrate if it's an acquittal. Convicted? Jail and/or Collateral Consequences await. Bailed Out Your family had the cash, or the collateral for a bond. Be sure to make In or Out? Decision time for the judge. If she releases you, go directly Home to await trial.If she sets bail, try to raise it. your court dates. Verdict Victory Savor the moment, but then concentrate on getting your life back to normal. Welcome to Rikers Compare notes with the 9.500 inmates who are also awaiting trial. Stop to Cop It might be time to cop a plea before trial. If you're behind bars, don't expect to fare too well. 8.