Wake County Assault & Bond Information
Simple Assault Charges
Understand a simple-assault charge, check whether the person is actually being held, and determine whether a bail bond is needed in Raleigh or Wake County.
You may call even when the exact charge wording, booking number, or bond amount is not yet known.
If anyone is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical assistance, call 911.
Does a Simple Assault Charge Always Require a Bail Bond?
No.
North Carolina classifies simple assault, simple assault and battery, and simple affray under N.C.G.S. § 14-33(a) as Class 2 misdemeanors, but the release method depends on the actual case and current court order.
A person may:
- Receive a criminal summons rather than be taken into custody
- Be arrested and released on a written promise
- Receive an unsecured bond
- Be released to a custodian
- Receive a secured bond
- Require judge-set conditions when domestic-violence procedures apply
- Remain in custody because of another charge, warrant, hold, or release condition
A commercial bondsman generally becomes relevant only when an eligible secured bond has been set.
Do You Actually Need a Bondsman?
Choose the situation that best matches what you know. Not every simple-assault charge requires a commercial bond.
The Person Received a Criminal Summons
A summons directs the person to appear in court on a listed date. A commercial bond is generally not needed unless the court later imposes a secured bond.
The Person Was Arrested but Already Released
If the person was released on a written promise or unsecured bond, a bondsman is generally not required for that release condition.
The Record Shows a Written Promise to Appear
The defendant agreed to appear as required. No commercial premium is needed to satisfy a written promise.
The Record Shows an Unsecured Bond
The defendant promises to pay the stated amount only if required because of noncompliance. A bondsman is generally not needed merely to satisfy an unsecured bond.
The Record Shows a Secured Bond
A licensed commercial bondsman may be able to assist after review and approval of the bond, cosigner, and payment information.
Bond Has Not Been Set
Release conditions may still be pending. A bondsman cannot act until an eligible secured bond has been entered.
A Judge Must Determine Release Conditions
When domestic-violence procedures apply under N.C.G.S. § 15A-534.1, a judge controls the release decision during the first 48 hours. A bondsman cannot bypass judge review.
Another Charge, Warrant, or Hold Appears
Another case, county, probation matter, or agency hold may prevent release even after an eligible bond is posted.
Information to Gather
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Court file or case number, if available
- Booking or inmate number, if available
- Exact wording of every listed charge
- Whether the record says simple assault, assault and battery, or simple affray
- Misdemeanor class shown
- Current custody location
- Bond amount attached to every charge
- Bond type or release condition attached to every charge
- Whether judge review is required
- Whether the alleged victim has a domestic relationship with the defendant
- No-contact or stay-away conditions
- Other warrants, counties, probation matters, or holds
- Caller and potential cosigner information
Copy every charge and bond entry exactly rather than summarizing it from memory. Incomplete information should not stop you from calling.
What Is Simple Assault?
N.C.G.S. § 14-33(a) lists simple assault, simple assault and battery, and simple affray as Class 2 misdemeanors. These are related but separately worded charge entries.
North Carolina assault law includes principles developed through court decisions. Questions about whether conduct legally qualifies as an assault, physical contact, intent, threats, fear or apprehension, consent, self-defense, defense of another person, mutual fighting, identity, or credibility belong with a qualified criminal defense attorney.
Legal boundary: Raleigh Bail Bonds helps with bond processing only. We do not determine whether an assault occurred, interpret evidence, evaluate self-defense, or predict the criminal case outcome.
Simple Assault, Assault and Battery, and Simple Affray
These labels are related but separately worded charge entries under N.C.G.S. § 14-33(a).
| Charge Label | Record Wording | Classification | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Assault | May appear as 'simple assault' on the custody or court record. | Class 2 misdemeanor under N.C.G.S. § 14-33(a). | Confirm whether the record lists only simple assault or an additional charge. |
| Simple Assault and Battery | May appear as 'assault and battery' on the record. | Class 2 misdemeanor under N.C.G.S. § 14-33(a). | Check whether physical contact or battery is separately alleged. |
| Simple Affray | May appear as 'simple affray' on the record. | Class 2 misdemeanor under N.C.G.S. § 14-33(a). | Confirm whether the record also lists assault or assault and battery. |
These definitions do not resolve the legal elements or the factual dispute. Not every fight automatically constitutes an affray.
What Does Class 2 Misdemeanor Mean for Bail?
Class 2 is the offense classification under N.C.G.S. § 14-33(a). The offense class does not create one automatic bond amount or determine whether the person will be arrested rather than summoned.
The Charge Alone Does Not Show the Release Condition
A lower offense class does not eliminate possible no-contact or conduct restrictions. Another charge or warrant may control whether the person remains in custody. The current release order must be reviewed.
No Standard Bond Amount
Wake County's pretrial-release policy contains recommendations, not mandatory amounts. The judicial official makes an individualized decision based on the applicable law and case information. There is no bond calculator.
Simple Assault and the "Violent Offense" Label
Simple assault under N.C.G.S. § 14-33(a) is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Current N.C.G.S. § 15A-531 defines one category of "violent offense" as a qualifying Class A through G felony involving assault, physical force, or threatened physical force as an essential element.
Therefore, a simple-assault charge by itself should not be treated as a Class A-through-G violent felony under that definition.
- Another charge on the same record may qualify as a violent offense
- A felony assault may follow different release procedures
- The release order may contain findings based on another offense
- The exact charge and operative release order must be checked
Does a Domestic Relationship Change the Release Process?
The simple-assault label and the domestic relationship are separate questions. Help verify whether the alleged victim is a spouse or former spouse, a person with whom the defendant lives or previously lived as if married, a person with whom the defendant has or had a dating relationship, or another person covered by current domestic-violence release law.
N.C.G.S. § 15A-534.1 — Domestic Violence Release
- In covered domestic-violence cases, a judge determines conditions of pretrial release
- The judge considers the required criminal-history information
- The judge may impose stay-away, no-assault, property, child-contact, alcohol-monitoring, secured-bond, and other authorized conditions
- The defendant may be held for no more than 48 hours without a judge making the determination
- If a judge has not acted within that period, a magistrate must act under the statute
This is not an automatic mandatory 48-hour jail hold in every domestic-assault case. A judge may act before 48 hours.
A bondsman cannot set the conditions, bypass judge review, or change a no-contact order.
Domestic-Violence Release ProceduresSimple Assault vs. Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence
N.C.G.S. § 14-32.5 creates a separate charge titled misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. It is not simply another name for every simple-assault charge.
- It contains its own statutory relationship and conduct requirements
- The record may list N.C.G.S. § 14-32.5 rather than simple assault under N.C.G.S. § 14-33
- The exact statute and charge description should be copied
- N.C.G.S. § 15A-534.1 applies to a charge under N.C.G.S. § 14-32.5
- Evidence, elements, prior convictions, and defenses are legal issues for counsel
Not every domestic disagreement results in a N.C.G.S. § 14-32.5 charge. The full discussion belongs on the Domestic Violence page.
When the Record Shows a More Serious Assault Charge
This page may not be the right guide when the record says:
If the record lists Assault on a Female, that charge has its own dedicated guide. Each label can involve different classifications and release procedures. Visit the main assault charge and bond information guide for the complete overview.
Bond-Status Decoder
Written Promise to Appear
The defendant agrees to appear as required. A commercial bond is generally not needed for this release condition.
Unsecured Bond
The defendant promises to pay the stated amount if required because of noncompliance. A commercial bondsman is generally not needed to satisfy an unsecured bond.
Custody Release
The defendant may be released to a designated person or organization under the order.
Secured Bond
A licensed commercial bondsman may be able to assist after review and approval.
Judge Review Required
A judge must establish or review conditions before a bondsman can act.
No Release Currently Authorized
A commercial bond cannot be posted unless an authorized judicial official changes the condition.
Outside Hold
Another court, county, probation matter, or agency may prevent release.
What Happens After a Simple-Assault Arrest in Wake County?
Not every simple-assault case follows every step because the person may receive a summons, citation, written promise, or unsecured release.
Arrest, Summons, or Other Criminal Process
Criminal process is issued.
Charge and Case Information Entered
The charge and case information are entered into the record.
Release Conditions Reviewed
If the person is in custody, a judicial official reviews release conditions.
Domestic Procedures Applied
Domestic procedures are applied when legally required.
Every Charge, Bond, and Hold Verified
The family verifies every charge, bond, and hold.
Secured Bond Reviewed
A licensed bondsman reviews any eligible secured bond.
Paperwork and Payment Completed
Approved paperwork and payment arrangements are completed.
Bond Posted
The bond is posted.
Release Processing
The detention facility completes release processing.
Why Multiple Charges or Bonds May Appear
One incident may produce separate entries involving:
Verify Every Charge Before Paying or Signing
Each line may have a separate release condition. Posting one secured bond may not produce release when another charge, no-release entry, judge-review requirement, or outside hold remains unresolved.
No-Contact and Other Release Conditions
The release order may include:
Do not contact the alleged victim on the defendant's behalf, carry messages, arrange indirect communication, or assume the alleged victim can cancel a court-ordered condition.
- Only the court can modify the order
- Consent from the alleged victim does not automatically change the condition
- Release-condition violations can lead to arrest or revocation
- Questions about modification belong with the defendant's attorney
What Can Delay Release?
Cost and Payment Information
Total Bond Amount
The amount set by the judicial official.
Bail Bond Premium
The applicable fee for providing the commercial surety bond. North Carolina limits the premium to no more than 15% of the face amount of the bond.
Initial Premium Payment
The amount due when beginning an approved payment arrangement.
Payment Plan
An approved agreement for paying the remaining premium.
Cosigner or Indemnitor
A person accepting contractual responsibilities.
Collateral
Money or property that may be required depending on the bond and underwriting review.
- Not every simple-assault case requires a secured bond
- A written promise or unsecured bond generally does not require a commercial premium
- Payment plans do not change the court-ordered bond amount
- Approval depends on the actual bond and case information
- Collateral is not automatically required for every simple-assault bond
What a Bondsman Can and Cannot Do
A Bondsman May
- Help verify available custody and bond information
- Determine whether an eligible secured bond is shown
- Review other publicly available bonds and holds
- Explain the commercial bond process
- Review cosigner information
- Explain premium, payment, and collateral requirements
- Prepare approved bond documents
- Post an eligible secured bond
- Confirm when the bond has been submitted
A Bondsman Cannot
- Determine whether an assault occurred
- Evaluate witness statements
- Decide whether the contact was intentional
- Advise on self-defense
- Decide whether the parties were mutually fighting
- Determine guilt
- Change the charge
- Set or reduce the bond
- Modify no-contact conditions
- Remove another hold
- Give criminal-defense advice
- Guarantee approval, release, or a release time
- Predict the case outcome
What to Do Right Now
- Confirm the defendant's full legal name
- Copy every charge exactly
- Determine whether the person is actually in custody
- Record every bond type and amount
- Look for judge-review or no-release entries
- Determine whether a domestic relationship may be involved
- Check for no-contact or stay-away conditions
- Identify additional warrants, cases, or holds
- Avoid discussing alleged facts publicly or on social media
- Do not contact the alleged victim for the defendant
- Contact a criminal defense attorney about the charge
- Contact a licensed bondsman only when an eligible secured bond needs to be posted
- Prepare identification and cosigner information when a secured bond exists
After Release
- Read every release condition
- Confirm the next court date through an official source
- Follow all no-contact and stay-away requirements
- Do not communicate indirectly through friends, family, or social media
- Follow travel, residence, firearm, alcohol, and monitoring restrictions
- Keep address and telephone information current
- Stay in contact with the attorney
- Notify the bondsman of contact or court-date changes
- Do not assume a condition has changed without a new court order
- Attend every required court appearance
Related Assault Charge Guides
Assault Charges
Complete Wake County assault-arrest guide covering all charge types, bond status, and release procedures.
Complete Assault GuideAssault on a Female
What the Class A1 misdemeanor charge means and whether domestic judge-review applies.
Review Assault on a Female InformationAssault With a Deadly Weapon
Decode AWDW, AWDWISI, AWDWIK and related misdemeanor and felony weapon charges.
Compare Deadly-Weapon Assault ChargesAssault Inflicting Serious Injury
Distinguish misdemeanor serious injury, felony serious bodily injury, and deadly-weapon injury charges.
Understand Serious-Injury Charge LabelsAssault by Strangulation
Coming SoonClass H felony strangulation charges and bond considerations.
Learn About Strangulation ChargesAssault on a Law Enforcement Officer
Coming SoonOfficer-assault charges and release information.
Review Officer-Assault Release InformationViolent-Offense Release Rules
Coming SoonHow N.C.G.S. § 15A-534(b1) affects qualifying assault felonies.
Understand Violent-Offense Bond RulesHelpful Resources
Domestic Violence Arrest and Release
48-hour rule, no-contact conditions, and protective orders.
DV Bail GuideWake County Bail Process
Complete county-level bond process and information.
Wake County GuideWake County Detention Center Information
Booking, custody, and release information.
Jail InformationBail Bond Payment Options
Flexible payment options for qualifying bonds.
View Payment PlansSecure Online Application
Start the secure online application.
Apply OnlineBail Bond FAQs
Complete bail bond questions and answers.
View All FAQsFrequently Asked Questions
Need Help Verifying a Simple-Assault Charge?
Call 24/7 bail help in Raleigh with the defendant's full legal name, date of birth, and case details. We can review the available Wake County bond information and explain whether a commercial bond is actually needed.
Last reviewed: August 2026 — Reviewed by a licensed North Carolina bail bondsman.
This page provides general information about bail and pretrial release. It does not provide legal advice or predict the outcome of a particular case.