Bail Raised to $200K for San Bernardino Elementary School Official
September 16, 2009“Will the bail be decreased at court?” That’s a question we get quite often. Usually, it’s asked when someone is comptemplating should I bail out my friend? Well, the judge has all the lattitude. No, the judge will not automatically lower bail when the defendant goes to court. The judge may increase bail, decrease bail, leave it the same, or change to “no bail.”
Such may have been the question of Allegra Fromby a former elementary school vice president was out on bail in San Bernardino County for $75K. She had been charged with two counts of felony drug possession. At her court appearance on 9/14, her bail was increased to $200K. She’s being detained at the West Valley Dentention Center until she can raise the $20,000 (10%) needed for a bail bond.
The case originated back when she arrived at a shooting scene of her husband. Allegedyly, the vehicle that she drove to the scene had marijuana in it. She was arrested for possessing of marijuana for sale and transporting marijuana and child endangerment. Fromby’s lawyer believes the bail was increased due to the complaints filed against the San Bernardino Police for false arrest, false imprisonment, and illegal search and seizure.
September 16th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I always advise our clients that sure bail can get reduced, but you’re right, bail often stays the same or even goes up significantly. It is like rolling the dice waiting on a judge and hoping for bail reductions.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
My experience is that it’s a big gamble. Sure, if you have no money and you simply cannot bail out, there’s really no choice.
I had a client tell me the attorney “guaranteed” her that her brother would be OR’d. His bail went from $50,000 to $250,000. (Hope they got a new attorney!)