Bail bond of alleged burglar follow-up

According to his release form, Allan Rickenbacker’s bond was initially set at $100,000, but then it was reduced to $20,000.

Determining a bond amount within our judicial system is sometimes a roll of the dice.

Bail bonding has been part of the judicial system in our country for hundreds of years. It is putting up collateral to get the court to release a suspect from jail, while placing pressure on them to stay nearby.

Jon David, the Assistant DA said, “The purpose of a bond, is a pre-trial mechanism. It’s to ensure their presence in court while simultaneously protecting the community.”

Typically, the bond is set based on a suspect’s criminal history, but at the end of the day, the decision on how high to set a bond is up to the judge or magistrate on the case.

Judge Rebecca Blackmore said, “We look at their risk of flight, prior failures to appear in court, the risk of harm or danger to the community, and the way that we can determine their risk or harm is by looking at their prior record, and convictions.”

Some say judges will lower a set bond, just to help alleviate the problem of overcrowding in our jails.

In the case of Allan Slade Rickenbacker, Judge John Carroll made a last minute decision to reduce Rickenbackers bail from $100,000 as prosecutors had requested, to $20,000.

“I think the biggest problem is such overcrowding problems and that is why they are reducing bonds, but i don’t know if that is the answer.” said Larry Powell of the NC Bail Association.

“People are presumed innocent, and we have an overcrowded jail, and remember jail is where they are held pre-trial, before their charges are disposed of. And so judges everyday need to make tough choices on who to let out on certain conditions, and who to keep in custody pending trial.,” said Powell.

According to the assistant district attorney on Rickenbacker’s case, a private bond hearing was held to discuss the appropriate bond amount. Once the bond reductions were made, it was posted, and he was let out of jail until his court appearance on September 25, 2008.