O.J. Simpson’s Bail in Las Vegas Armed Robbery Case is Doubled

O.J. Simpson’s bail in a Las Vegas casino robbery case was doubled to $250,000 after the judge found out that the former football great never paid a bail bondsman when he was first released. Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass says that Simpson, 60, has to issue 15% of the bail amount before he can be released this time.

Bail bondsman Miguel Pereira testified in court that the former football star never paid him anything. He said that he did not issue a bill to Simpson but that he had expected payment of the $18,750 that he was owed for posting the $125,000 bail. He also says he paid for plane tickets, the $40 filing fee, and a rental car.

Simpson had been ordered back to jail last week because of allegations that he had violated the conditions of his bail by asking Pereira, via voice mail, to contact Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, a co-defendant in the case. Pereira informed prosecutors of the request because he didn’t want to be criminally charged for any alleged involvement.

Simpson is not allowed to contact anyone else involved in the attempted robbery at the casino hotel, which occurred in Las Vegas on September 13, 2007 when the ex-football star and several others allegedly tried to “retrieve,” at gunpoint, several items from sports memorabilia dealers Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong.

Last November, Simpson pleaded not guilty to armed robbery, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, coercion, burglary, and conspiracy charges. Five other co-defendants were also charged for their alleged involvement. Simpson could go to prison for life if he is convicted for kidnapping.

This is not Simpson’s first brush with the law. A jury found Simpson not guilty in the 2004 murders of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

Bail
Bail allows a suspect to pay a fee to be released from police custody. The suspect, however, must promise to return to court and appear for all criminal proceedings related to the case. The degree of seriousness of the crime and the circumstances of the case can determine the amount of bail-if any-that must be paid to secure the release. In some cases, such as when a person is considered a threat to society or a flight risk, bail can be denied completely. Violation of bail conditions can lead to arrest and detainment.

O.J. Simpson’s bail raised to $250,000, CNN.com, January 16, 2008
O.J. Simpson Jailed for Attempting to Contact Co-Defendant, FoxNews.com, January 12, 2008

Related Web Resources:

O.J. Simpson Arrested in Armed Robbery of Las Vegas Hotel Room, Fox News, September 16, 2007
O.J. Simpson Murder Case

If you have been arrested for a crime in the Boston area or anywhere else in Massachusetts, you must talk to a Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer right away. Contact Altman & Altman LLP to request your free consultation.

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