Legal Question in Criminal Law in North Carolina

Its NEVER a good idea to try and handle criminal charges on your own. A criminal charge on your record could affect your education and WILL affect your job search.

Bail will very likely be more than $250. Of course you get that money back if you show up to court next time. If you post your own bond you could then possibly sign a cash bond release to pay your attorney. If you intend to hire an attorney anyway this method will end up costing you $0 to handle your own OFA. Or you could go through a Bail Bondsman. If you do that you may pay less but you will not get that money back. Further, if you are really a poor college student, why have you not applied for a public defender attorney? This won't necessarily be cheaper than hiring your own lawyer if you are found guilty or plead guilty but you would not need to lay out any money up front. Anything that you would owe the state for a public defender attorney can be paid back through a probationary sentance.