Why Hours Matter When Someone Is in Custody.
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Misdemeanor Hearing Window
Georgia entitles most misdemeanor defendants to a bond hearing within 48 hours of arrest.
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Felony Hearing Window
Felony bond hearings happen within 72 hours. A defense attorney at that hearing changes the bond conditions.
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We Answer 24/7
Phones are answered day, night, weekend, holiday. The faster you call, the faster we move.
Former Cobb Magistrate Judge
Magistrate judges hear bond hearings. Gerald Moore was one.
Former Cobb County Prosecutor
Knows the State's playbook for opposing bond.
AV Preeminent® Peer Rated
Highest peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
State Bar of Georgia
Active Member in Good Standing. Licensed since 1997.
A Former Bond Hearing Judge
Standing in Front of a Bond Hearing Judge.
Gerald Moore is a former Cobb County magistrate judge. Magistrate judges are the judges who preside over bond hearings, preliminary hearings, and warrant applications in Georgia. He has personally conducted bond hearings from the bench. He knows what factors judges weigh when deciding whether to grant bond, how much to set it at, and what conditions to impose. Now, as the senior defense attorney at Moore Law Center, he uses that firsthand judicial experience to advocate for his clients' release.
This is not a theoretical advantage. This is a former bond hearing judge standing in front of a current bond hearing judge making your case. No other criminal defense firm in Marietta can offer that.
What Is a Bond Hearing and How Does It Work in Georgia?
A bond hearing is a court proceeding where a judge decides whether a defendant will be released from custody before trial. The judge evaluates the charges, the defendant's criminal history, community ties, employment, family obligations, flight risk, and any potential danger to the public. Based on this evaluation, the judge either sets a bond amount with conditions, denies bond entirely, or releases the defendant on their own recognizance.
In Georgia, defendants are generally entitled to a bond hearing within 48 hours for misdemeanor charges and 72 hours for felony charges. Weekends and holidays can cause delays. Some misdemeanor charges have pre-set bond schedules, meaning the defendant can post bond without waiting for a hearing.
The bond hearing is not a trial. It does not determine guilt or innocence. But it is one of the most consequential early moments in any criminal case. The bond conditions set at this hearing define the terms of the defendant's freedom for the entire pretrial period.
Four Ways to Get Out
Georgia law provides several types of bonds. The type set at your hearing depends on the severity of the charges, your background, and the judge's assessment.
Cash Bond
Full amount in cash. Posted with the court. Returned at case resolution provided the defendant appears. Most straightforward but requires the full amount available.
Surety Bond
10-15% non-refundable fee. A bail bondsman posts the full amount in exchange for the fee. If the bond is $10,000, you pay $1,000 to $1,500. The bondsman assumes responsibility if the defendant fails to appear.
Property Bond
Real estate as collateral. Property must have equity equal to or exceeding the bond amount. More paperwork and processing time. Avoids out-of-pocket fees.
Signature Bond (O.R.)
No money posted. Defendant signs a written promise to appear. Reserved for lower-level offenses with strong community ties and low flight risk. An attorney advocating at the hearing makes this outcome far more likely.
Three Sides of the Bond Hearing.
One Defense Team.
Most defense attorneys have only argued bond hearings from one side. Gerald Moore has been on three.
As a Magistrate Judge
Presided over the hearing itself. Evaluated the arguments. Weighed the evidence. Decided whether to grant bond, how much to set it at, and what conditions to impose. Saw which arguments from defense attorneys were persuasive and which fell flat.
As a Prosecutor
Argued against bond for defendants the State considered dangerous or a flight risk. Knows the prosecution's playbook for opposing bond and how to anticipate it before it lands.
As Your Defense
Takes everything learned on the bench and at the prosecution table and puts it to work for clients. Presents community ties, employment history, family obligations, and lack of flight risk in the way judges respond to.
From Arrest to Release. Step by Step.
If someone you know has been arrested in Cobb County, here is exactly what to expect.
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Arrest & Booking
The defendant is transported to the Cobb County Adult Detention Center for fingerprinting, photographing, and processing. Booking can take several hours depending on volume. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our Cobb County jail bond guide.
Cobb County Adult Detention Center
1825 County Services Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30008 -
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Bond Schedule Check
Some misdemeanor charges have a pre-set bond schedule. If the charge qualifies, the defendant may post bond immediately without a hearing. A defense attorney can determine if a pre-set bond applies.
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Bond Hearing
If no pre-set bond applies, the defendant waits for a bond hearing before a magistrate judge. Misdemeanor hearings are generally held within 48 hours. Felony hearings within 72 hours. Having an attorney present is critical.
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Posting Bond
Once bond is set, the defendant or family posts through cash, surety bond (bail bondsman), property, or signature. Once processed, the defendant is released.
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Compliance With Conditions
After release, the defendant must comply with all conditions: appearing for court dates, avoiding contact with the alleged victim, staying within the jurisdiction, drug testing, surrendering firearms. Violation triggers revocation and re-arrest.
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Case Proceeds
The underlying criminal charges move through the system. DUI, felony, drug, and misdemeanor charges each follow their own path. Bond stays in effect until the case is resolved.
The Charge Drives the Bond Outcome
Different charges produce different bond results. Knowing what to expect for your specific situation matters.
DUI
Most first-offense DUI arrests in Cobb County have pre-set bond schedules. Defendants can bond out relatively quickly. Repeat DUI and felony DUI (4th offense) require a hearing with higher bonds.
Felony Charges
Felony bonds are higher and harder to obtain. Violent felonies like aggravated assault and armed robbery may result in very high bonds or no bond at all. Defense arguments at the hearing carry significant weight.
Drug Charges
Drug trafficking charges often result in high bond amounts due to mandatory minimum sentences and perceived flight risk. Simple possession bonds are typically more manageable.
Domestic Violence
Charges involving alleged family violence nearly always include a no-contact order as a bond condition. Violating the no-contact order results in immediate re-arrest with no second chances.
Probation Violations
If arrested for a new crime while on probation, bond may be denied for the new charge because the defendant is considered a heightened risk. Strategy here is critical.
We Move Fast
Bond hearings happen within 48 to 72 hours. Time matters.
Call 678-699-3406 →Bond Already Set Too High? You Can Request a Modification.
If bond has already been set and the amount is too high, a defense attorney can file a motion asking the court to reduce the bond amount or change the conditions. This is common when circumstances have changed since the initial hearing, when the defendant can demonstrate stronger community ties, or when the original bond was set unusually high. Gerald Moore's experience as a former magistrate judge gives him direct insight into what information persuades judges to reduce bond.
Request a Bond ModificationBond Hearing Representation Across Greater Atlanta
We represent clients at Cobb County Magistrate Court and surrounding metro courts.
Cobb County Criminal Defense
Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Smyrna, Powder Springs.
Fulton County
Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs.
Cherokee County
Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs.
Douglas County
Douglasville, Lithia Springs.
Gwinnett County Criminal Defense
Lawrenceville, Duluth, Peachtree Corners, Norcross.
DeKalb County Criminal Defense
Decatur, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker.
Paulding County Criminal Defense
Dallas, Hiram.
Bartow County Criminal Defense
Cartersville, Emerson.
Fayette County Criminal Defense
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone.
What Our Peers and Clients Say
Verified reviews from attorneys and clients who have worked with Gerald Moore.
I have worked with Gerald E. Moore both as a colleague and practiced in front of him when he was a magistrate judge. I find him to be highly knowledgeable and principled.
Peer Attorney · Martindale-Hubbell
Phenomenal man and even better attorney. My case was dismissed due to Attorney Moore. Everything he told me was the exact truth.
Russell K. · Google review
Loved One in Custody? We Move Fast.
Phone the office 24/7. The sooner we are at the bond hearing, the sooner they are home.
Bond Hearings in Georgia, Answered
Common questions families ask when a loved one is in custody.
What is a bond hearing?
A bond hearing is a court proceeding where a judge determines whether a defendant will be released from custody before trial and under what conditions. The judge evaluates charges, criminal history, community ties, flight risk, and public safety. Most defendants in Georgia are entitled to a bond hearing within 48 hours for misdemeanors and 72 hours for felonies.
Can charges be dropped at a bond hearing?
A bond hearing is not a trial. Its purpose is release conditions, not guilt or innocence. Charges are not typically dropped at this stage. However, an attorney can raise evidence weaknesses as a factor supporting favorable bond conditions. If the magistrate finds no probable cause, this can impact the case trajectory.
How does bail work in Georgia?
After arrest, a judge sets a bond amount. The defendant can post the full amount in cash, use a surety bond through a bail bondsman (10-15% non-refundable fee), post a property bond, or be released on a signature bond with no money required. Once bond is posted, the defendant is released pending trial. Failure to appear forfeits the bond and triggers a re-arrest warrant.
How much does bail cost in Cobb County?
Bond amounts vary. Misdemeanor bonds may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Felony bonds can range from $5,000 to $100,000 or more. Using a bail bondsman, you pay 10-15% of the total as a non-refundable fee. An attorney can argue for a lower amount at the hearing.
What is a signature bond in Georgia?
A signature bond, also called an O.R. bond, releases the defendant without posting money. The defendant signs a written promise to appear. Granted for lower-level offenses with strong community ties and low flight risk. An attorney advocating at the hearing increases the chance of this outcome.
Can bond be revoked in Georgia?
Yes. Bond is revoked for violating conditions: failing to appear, committing a new crime, contacting the alleged victim against a no-contact order, failing drug tests, or leaving the jurisdiction. Revocation means return to custody with potentially no new bond.
How long do you stay in Cobb County jail before a bond hearing?
Misdemeanor defendants generally get a hearing within 48 hours. Felony defendants within 72 hours. Weekends and holidays can cause delays. Having an attorney contact the court immediately helps ensure the hearing happens quickly. Some misdemeanor charges have pre-set bond amounts allowing faster release.
Why does having a former judge as your bond hearing attorney matter?
Gerald Moore is a former Cobb County magistrate judge who personally presided over bond hearings. He knows what factors judges weigh. He knows how to present community ties, employment, and family obligations in a way that resonates. This firsthand judicial perspective gives Moore Law Center a strategic advantage that most firms cannot match.
Your Loved One Is in Custody. Call Now.
Every hour counts. The sooner a defense attorney is working on the bond hearing, the sooner your family member can come home. Do not wait for a court-appointed attorney. Do not try to navigate the process alone.
191 Roswell St NE, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30060
678-699-3406 · Nights & Weekends
info@moorelawcenter.com