Detroit Michigan Bond Hearing Attorney
In Michigan, a court must order release on personal recognizance or an unsecured bond unless it finds that release will not reasonably ensure your appearance or the safety of the public (MCR 6.106). If bond was set too high or denied at arraignment, Attorney Kevin Bessant can ask the court to review it. Call before you call a bail bondsman, because a lower or personal bond can save you the bondsman’s fee.
Reviewed by Attorney Kevin Bessant, Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates. Last reviewed October 2026.
Michigan bond at a glance
| Rules | MCR 6.106 (pretrial release) and MCL 765.6 (conditions and factors). |
|---|---|
| Default | Release on personal recognizance or an unsecured appearance bond, unless the court finds it will not reasonably ensure appearance or public safety. |
| Factors the court weighs | The seriousness of the offense, your prior record, flight risk, ties to the community and danger to the public. |
| Conditions | May include no-contact orders, a tether, reporting requirements or travel limits. |
| Bond can be denied | For a narrow group of serious offenses named in the Michigan Constitution (Const 1963, art 1, sec 15) when the proof is evident or the presumption great. |
| Review | A motion can ask the court to modify the amount or the conditions of bond. |
Bond decisions are made case by case. A judge or magistrate may set conditions that are not listed here.
The Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates Detroit understands the turmoil that a person endures while staying in jail for weeks and months at a time while waiting for their bond hearing and criminal case to be resolved. We also understand the burden this places on their loved ones who may find financial and legal difficulties in their efforts to seek a bond by themselves. If you have been charged with a Misdemeanor or Felony charge in Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County, Monroe County, Livingston County, or Washtenaw County, and need an experienced lawyer to reduce your bond or address your bond conditions, please call our office immediatley so we can help you today!
All persons who have been accused and charged with a crime is entitled to a reasonable bond set by the Judge or Magistrate during a Hearing. Kevin Bessant acts swiftly and aggressively to ensure that a person accused of a misdemeanor or felony offense is given a fair bond before the court. Call the Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates before you call a bails bondsman so I can possibly save you the unnecessary expenses of paying a bondsman.
Michigan bond types and what each requires
| Bond type | What you pay or promise | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Personal recognizance | A written promise to appear. No money is posted. | MCR 6.106 |
| Unsecured appearance bond | A promise to pay a set amount only if you miss court. | MCR 6.106 |
| 10 percent bond | 10 percent of the bond amount is paid to the court. | MCR 6.106 |
| Cash or surety bond | The full amount in cash, or a bond posted through a surety. | MCR 6.106; MCL 765.6 |
| No bond | Held without bail for a narrow group of serious offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great. | Const 1963, art 1, sec 15 |
The court may add conditions such as a tether or no-contact order to any release. A motion can ask the court to change the amount or conditions.
Bond Hearing Lawyers Can Help You Gain a Bond or Seek A Bond Reduction
If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime, do not delay in calling Kevin Bessant to represent them at their hearing to help keep them out of jail. During the hearing, the Judge or Magistrate will evaluate a number of factors to determine if the accused will be granted a bond, and if so, what and how much that bond will be. This is a critical stage in which legal representation is a must as it can often determine the difference between the accused staying in jail or going home free on bond.
Even if a person’s bond has been initially denied at the accused’s arraignment, Kevin Bessant can still file a motion to demand the court review the necessary factors to consider a fair bond amount. If bond has been denied, or if you have yet to be arraigned and need Kevin Bessant to represent you at your bond hearing, and even discuss your criminal matter in detail, call the Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates at 313-658-8159 today for a free consultation.
Related guides
- Domestic violence charges, where no-contact conditions are common
- PPO violation
- Stalking and aggravated stalking
- First-offense OWI
- Felony firearm
- Armed robbery
- Probation and parole violations
Where we handle bond hearings
Bond is first set at arraignment in the court where the charge is filed, and later requests go to the judge assigned to the case. Attorney Kevin Bessant has offices in Detroit (Wayne County), Eastpointe (Macomb County) and Southfield (Oakland County), including the 46th District Court in Southfield, the 37th District Court in Warren and the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights.
Service area pages: Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Livonia, Troy, Royal Oak, Pontiac, Novi, Ann Arbor, and Clinton Township, plus Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Monroe and Livingston counties.
Legal Authority: Court Rules and Statute
Legal citations on this page last reviewed: October 2026
- Michigan bond determinations follow MCL 765.6, which directs the court to weigh the seriousness of the offense, the defendant’s prior record, and flight risk in setting conditions of release, and MCR 6.106.
- The Michigan Constitution guarantees bail before conviction except for a narrow group of serious offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great (Const 1963, art 1, sec 15).
For the current text of these rules, see the Michigan Court Rules published by the Michigan Courts.
About Attorney Kevin Bessant
- Licensed Michigan Attorney with the State Bar of Michigan and over 20 years of criminal defense trial experience.
- Michigan Super Lawyer, recognized annually from 2015 through 2026.
- Detroit Business Magazine (DBusiness) Top Lawyer, 2017.
- Listed among Expertise.com’s Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Detroit.
- Interviewed by Fox 2 News Detroit (2016) regarding Michigan State Police breathalyzer calibration errors affecting nearly 2,000 DUI cases statewide between December 2015 and April 2016.
- Offices in Detroit, Eastpointe, and Southfield, Michigan, serving Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Livingston, and Washtenaw counties.
- Free case evaluation: 313-658-8159
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors determine whether I get a bond in Michigan?
A judge or magistrate considers factors such as the seriousness of the charge, flight risk, criminal history, ties to the community, and danger to the public when setting a bond amount or granting personal recognizance.
What happens if my bond was denied at arraignment?
Even if bond is denied at arraignment, an attorney can file a motion asking the court to review the bond factors again and argue for a fair bond or bond reduction.
Should I call a bail bondsman before calling a lawyer?
No. Contacting a criminal defense attorney first can help you avoid the unnecessary cost of a bail bondsman by seeking a personal recognizance bond or lower bond amount directly from the court.
Which counties does the firm handle bond hearings in?
The Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates represents clients at bond hearings in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Livingston, and Washtenaw counties in Michigan.
What is a personal recognizance bond?
It is release on your promise to appear, with no money paid up front. Under MCR 6.106 the court must order it, or an unsecured bond, unless it finds that release will not reasonably ensure your appearance or public safety.
Can a judge deny bond in Michigan?
Yes, but only for a narrow group of serious offenses named in the Michigan Constitution, and only when the proof is evident or the presumption great. In other cases the court sets conditions of release.
What conditions can come with a bond?
Conditions can include no-contact orders, a tether, reporting requirements, travel limits and testing. Violating a condition can lead to revocation of bond, so ask the court to change a condition that is unworkable.