So What is Bail Anyway?
We hear about bail all the time on television, but have you ever wondered exactly, “What is bail?” (No, it wasn’t invented just for Lindsay Lohan.) By definition, “bail” means the legal system that allows an accused individual to be provisionally released from custody. This is usually on the condition that a sum of money or a tangible asset guarantees their appearance at trial. This is based on the understanding that the accused party will return for trial or forfeit the bail and possibly be brought up on charges of the crime of “failure to appear”.
The option of bail in Hennepin Co. is generally extended to persons who have been charged with a crime that merits incarceration between the time of arrest and the date that the case will be tried in a court of law. To simply explain the term “Incarceration”, it means that the person will be denied the normal liberty of movement. Some people refer to it as detention by enforcement authorities such as police or military.
While it is true that bail can be granted after an arrest has taken place, it will still depend on the jurisdiction and the nature of the crime (especially). The person has the option to bail out within a few hours after entering jail. This is mostly applicable for relatively minor offenses and in situations that the chance of the suspect fleeing the immediate area is very low.
The amount of bail can differ from a small sum to a very expensive amount that would daunt many people. Fortunately enough, the Hennepin County court does not always require the suspect to pay the entire bail amount before being temporarily released. In other words, the suspect may choose to post a fraction of the total bail and be granted a release until the specified court date. A relative, close friend or defense attorney is allowed to provide the bail money required by the court with a pledge on the remaining amount. In most cases, the suspect has to pay at least one tenth of the total bail amount.
So, what is bail again? While it’s not a “get out of jail free” card, it frequently allows the temporary freedom of a suspect until he can be convicted or acquitted.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Bail Bonds MN: What Is Bail? | Bail Bonds
Bail Bonds, Dakota Co, MN
Generally, people accused of crimes in Dakota County are held in a detainment facility (aka county jail) until they are proven guilty or acquitted–unless they get a bail bond. Fortunately for the suspect, he frequently has the option to be temporarily released while awaiting trial. Bail is set by the judge during the defendant’s first court appearance. For minor bad behaviors (such as driving violations), bail does not need to be set.
Usually, a friend, relative, or defense attorney will contact a Dakota Co. bond company by phone and during the preliminary phone consultation; the company has to collect basic information about the situation. This information will include where the detainee is being held, how long he has been there and of course the charges involved. Personal information such as current residence and occupation also have to be obtained. The bail company or agency will need this information to assess the risk involved in issuing the bond.
Should the suspect opt to purchase a bail bond, he or she will have to sign some bond documents and that include a bail bond application, bail indemnity agreement and a receipt. Once the paperwork is finalized, an accredited agent will post the bond at the correct detention facility or jail and this will result in the release of the defendant. This process can take anywhere between 1 and 2 hours (ideally). Note that the whole process cannot start until all the arrest and booking procedures have been completed.
Generally you can get a bail bond in Dakota Co. 24/7. Bail bondsmen are on an “On Call” basis whenever they are not in their offices. Other countries, or even other states outside of MN, may have a totally different policy when it comes to bailing out of jail. The courts have numerous methods available for releasing defendants on bail and the judge is the one who determines which one of these methods is the most appropriate to use.
Signing the bail bond is a promise or guarantee that the defendant or suspect will appear in the specified date of the court hearing. If the suspect fails to appear in the proceedings, this will cause the signers of the bond to pay the court the designated amount. In general, the amount of bail is calculated depending on the seriousness of the alleged offense or crime. There are some instances that a suspect can be released upon his or her own recognizance which is defined as the latter?s written uninsured promise to return for trial. A release of this sort is granted for somebody with a steady employment, stable family ties and a long history of residence in a certain community. Violation of the terms of a personal recognizance constitutes a crime in Dakota Co. and is punishable by law.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
This is amazing (don't ever think you can hide in a crowd)
Subject: This is amazing (don't ever think you can hide in a crowd)
This is a photograph of 2009 Obama Inauguration. You can see IN FOCUS the face of EACH individual in the crowd !!!
You can scan and zoom to any section of the crowd. . . Wait a few seconds. . Double click anywhere . And the focus adjusts to give you a very identifiable close up.
The picture was taken with a robotic 1474 megapixel camera (295 times the standard 5 megapixel camera). Every one attending could be scanned after the event, should something have gone wrong during it.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The 10 Cheapest Cars to Own- Yahoo! Autos Article Page
The price you negotiate for a car and the interest you pay on the car loan are only part of the cost equation. Insurance, depreciation, taxes and fees, what you pay over the years for fuel, service and repairs, and even the opportunity cost of the money you lay out as a down payment (what you'd make if you invested the money elsewhere) are all important ingredients in the cost of ownership.
MORE AT Kiplinger.com
All the vehicles on the list are small -- either compacts or subcompacts -- because they tend to have the lowest market price, the best fuel economy, and reasonable insurance rates -- since premiums tend to rise with horsepower.
Note that with the lower-price class, you may also have to pay extra for automatic transmission, air conditioning and sometimes even a radio-not to mention such safety features as anti-lock brakes. Most are equipped with six standard airbags but only half have standard stability control. (The market price is the average transaction cost and reflects rebates; all vehicles have manual transmissions, unless otherwise noted. Source: Vincentric.)
Nissan Versa 1.6 Base 4dr
Market price: $10,922
5-Year fuel cost: $8,456
5-Year insurance cost: $4,851
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $26,233Nissan's subcompact hatch, which gets 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, hits the streets at a smidge over ten grand but offers a bigger interior than classmates Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. Six airbags are standard on even the lowest trim, but you'll pay $250 extra for ABS.
Depreciation: $6,874 Fees & taxes: $905 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,371 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $452 Maintenance: $1,917 Repairs: $1,406
Hyundai Accent GL 2dr hatch
Market price: $9,677
5-Year fuel cost: $8,085
5-Year insurance cost: $5,134
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $26,715For under $11,000, the Accent boasts killer fuel economy of 34 mpg on the highway and 28 in the city. Even on the base model, optional equipment includes an iPod hookup ($35) and Bluetooth ($325). Six airbags are standard, but there’s no option for ABS.
Depreciation: $7,748 Fees & taxes: $822 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,207 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $423 Maintenance: $1,795 Repairs: $1,500
Chevrolet Aveo5 LS 4dr hatch
Market price: $11,038
5-Year fuel cost: $8,171
5-Year insurance cost: $5,446
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $26,958Chevy’s smallest car will be replaced next year by the Sonic, but for 2011 the little hatchback offers good interior space and cargo room -- 15 cubic feet with the 60/40 split rear seat up. Maintenance and repairs average just $3,000 for five years. Side airbags and six months of OnStar Automatic Crash Response are standard, but ABS and side-curtain airbags are not available. Mileage is 27 city, 35 highway.
Depreciation: $7,547 Fees & taxes: $919 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,385 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $451 Maintenance: $1,618 Repairs: $1,422
Ford Fiesta S 4dr
Market price: $13,212
5-Year fuel cost: $7,576
5-Year insurance cost: $5,623
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,402The return of the Fiesta to Ford’s lineup brings serious value -- and premium-car amenities -- to the compact category. A wallet-friendly price meets a peppy engine, an ultra-smooth manual transmission, and terrific handling. The SE trim offers Ford’s SYNC system (to connect phones and music players) as a $665 option. Even the entry-level Fiesta boasts a full complement of safety equipment: seven airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), ABS, stability control and traction control. Mileage is 28 city, 37 highway.
Depreciation: $8,919 Fees & taxes: $1,063 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,690 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $467 Maintenance: $1,564 Repairs: $1,500
Mazda2 Sport 4dr hatch
Market price: $14,625
5-Year fuel cost: $7,825
5-Year insurance cost: $5,630
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,593Its design is unmistakably Mazda, but the Mazda2 isn’t just a downsized Mazda3. Built on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta, this sporty hatch takes corners with ease, and it has a full line of standard safety equipment-- ABS, stability and traction control, and six airbags. Mileage is 29 city, 35 highway.
Depreciation: $8,405 Fees & taxes: $1,139 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,864 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $490 Maintenance: $1,613 Repairs: $1,627
Toyota Yaris 4dr
Market price: $13,818
5-Year fuel cost: $7,737
5-Year insurance cost: $5,163
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,616The Yaris’s 1.5-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder engine pushes fuel economy to the max. The car gets 29 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway, giving it ultra-low fuel costs over five years compared with the competition. Good resale values give the car a leg up in our cost calculations. ABS and stability control are standard, as are six airbags.
Depreciation: $9,377 Fees & taxes: $1,089 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,757 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $463 Maintenance: $1,623 Repairs: $1,406
Kia Rio 4dr
Market price: $11,824
5-Year fuel cost: $8,085
5-Year insurance cost: $5,447
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,157Kia keeps even low-budget customers happy by offering many standard goodies -- auxiliary connections and USB ports for music, plus Sirius satellite radio (a subscription costs extra). Six airbags are standard on the base trim; stepping up to the LX ($15,690) gets you standard ABS. Mileage is 28 city, 34 highway.
Depreciation: $9,158 Fees & taxes: $966 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,500 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $458 Maintenance: $2,042 Repairs: $1,500
Kia Soul 4dr hatch
Market price: $13,826
5-Year fuel cost: $8,771
5-Year insurance cost: $4,402
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,275Kiplinger’s Best New Car for Teens makes boxy cool again. Along with its funky looks, the Soul has 19 cubic feet of cargo space and the most rear legroom in its class. It’s also an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick. All the safety equipment you’ll want is standard: six airbags, ABS, stability control and traction control. Mileage is 26 city, 31 highway.
Depreciation: $9,305 Fees & taxes: $1,381 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $2,338 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $487 Maintenance: $1,956 Repairs: $1,500
Honda Insight 4dr hatch
Market price: $18,097
5-Year fuel cost: $5,955
5-Year insurance cost: $5,497
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,953Proving that hybrids don’t have to break the bank, Honda’s Insight boasts estimated service costs (maintenance plus repairs) of just $3,149 for five years. Low fuel costs are a given, with 40 miles per gallon in the city and 43 on the highway. Automatic transmission, ABS, stability control, traction control and six airbags are standard.
Depreciation: $11,145 Fees & taxes: $1,381 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $2,338 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $487 Maintenance: $1,727 Repairs: $1,422
Ford Focus S 4dr
Market price: $13,643
5-Year fuel cost: $8,571
5-Year insurance cost: $5,484
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $30,290The Focus will get a redesign for 2012, but the 2011 version is already a solid value. The 2.0-liter engine puts out 140 horsepower but sips fuel politely -- it gets 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Stability and traction control, ABS, and six airbags are standard.
Depreciation: $9,819 Fees & taxes: $1,101 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,741 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $490 Maintenance: $1,661 Repairs: $1,422
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Savor Dining in Minnesota
When you think about what constitutes a good eatery ask yourself, "Good for what?"
Think about whether you are seeking a fantastic vino, a kid friendly environment or a place to sign a business. Do you wish to savor the creations of a good chef, or merely refuel and collect your thoughts?
Unless the eatery is a real dog, and those don't stay around long these days, odds are expectations may be a key determinant in your overall satisfaction with your dining experience.
That said, there are a couple of additional aspects to consider.
- Location: If you are meeting people at a restaurant, try to choose one that is straightforward to locate and has sufficient parking. If entertaining out-of-towners you may want to opt for outside seating, making it possible for your guests to soak up Minnesota's lovely summer sunshine, or select a place with a good view. If your companion just got off an airplane in January with no coat, she almost certainly won't appreciate icy sidewalks or an invigorating walk.
- Atmosphere: Either for business or personal occasions, occasionally it's critical that a dining experience go especially well. For those occasions, be sure to visit the restaurant in advance. Go in for a drink, an espresso or a dessert. Check out the sound levels, the seating arrangements, the décor, even the restrooms. Afterwards determine whether to reserve a table.
- Service: Service does not need to be a one-way relationship. Help the servers provide wonderful service by being friendly and moving personal items on the table to enable them to serve you more easily. The majority of wait staff will reciprocate by becoming more attentive to your needs, and your dining companions will notice too.
- Menu: Food is sometimes secondary to the overall dining event, but some food is so exquisite and unforgettable that it's really worth waiting for in long lines or enduring with a few inconveniences. Consider the reputation of the chef and understand what his specialties are. Check out the wine list before you go. It may consistbe comprised of a small collection of extremely good--and pricy--bottles, matched to certain dishes on the menu, or it may be broad. In any case, it's a great idea to understand a bit about the wines and the dishes and be capable of making a recommendation. Don't pass up the fine ethnic restaurants edina has to offer.
- The Deal Breaker: Many metropolitan areas possess a number of good restaurants contending for your dining dollars. If a place doesn't appear clean and doesn't treat you well, move on.
Visit Restaurants Edina for detailed information about dining in the Greater Minneapolis Area.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Don't Be A Movie Critic Marketer : Jonathan Leger
Jeff Stibel, the current Chairman and CEO of Dun & Bradstreet, put it very well in an article he wrote about analysis-paralysis:
"Decisions are destroyed by over-analysis… The more information you pile on, the less likely you are to make educated guesses. But educated guesses spring from wisdom: all of your past experiences, knowledge and knowhow, coupled with the most recent information and analysis. In other words, wisdom comes from your gut."