In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, protesters are crying foul after they were arrested and detained on a $1 million bail.

This detainment happened after they clashed with police when the protests they were participating in turned violent and disorderly. They were among 100 people who were protesting outside the Lancaster Police Station, seeking justice for the killing of 27-year-old Ricardo Munoz.

Disorderly Protests

Police arrested 12 adults and a 16-year-old who piled bike racks, plywood pieces, trashcans, street signs, metal dumpsters, and wooden pallets at an intersection. They allegedly dumped trash bags into the dumpster and set fire to the piles. Police made use of chemical agents and pepper spray to disperse the demonstrators and end the riots.

Some of the charges that the adults face include disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, riot, conspiracy to commit arson, institutional vandalism. Bruce Roth, Magisterial District Judge, set the bond at $1 million for seven out of the 12 adults arrested that day. The minor was charged separately.

Exaggerated Bail

Bail is a condition set by the criminal justice system to release a defendant from police custody, only if he pays a certain amount of money. The defendant is, in turn, expected to make an appearance in court on an agreed date. Defendants have the right to be granted bail, except in select cases and offenses that endanger the general public's safety.

While the protests clearly went too far, the bail set for $1 million is, without a doubt, too high. The Eighth Amendment gives clear guidelines on how to set bails for suspects in any run-in with the law.

Factors such as community ties and an individual's background, criminal history, and the severity and nature of the offenses that the individual has been charged with play a significant role in determining how to set bail for offenders.

Hire An Attorney To Decrease Bail

Thankfully, a person can ask for a bail modification if they think that the bail is wrongfully exaggerated. They can do this through their highly experienced lawyer.

If you ever find yourself on the wrong side of the law while trying to do the right thing, the best way to handle the situation is to get yourself a good lawyer. As in the case of the seven adults, if they hire the right lawyers with the right amount of expertise, they should get reasonable bail to get them released as they await the case hearing.

Call the Lento Law Firm

If you or your loved one get caught up in a case such as the one above in Pennsylvania, call the Lento Law Firm. They offer bail modification, legal representation, and whatever else you may need to get through court proceedings successfully and eventually earn your freedom the right way.

Joseph D. Lento is a highly skilled lawyer who will guarantee a vigorous defense against any charges resulting from disorderly protests if the right channels are followed. Please call 888-535-3686 today, or contact us online to arrange for a consultation.