If you or a loved one has been arrested, you need to understand what is at stake. After an arrest, the suspect is thrown in jail, and a case against them is filed. The suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as possible to hear the charges against them, enter a plea, and apply for bail. In this case, bail aims to offer the defendant a chance to regain their freedom ahead of their trial. Bail is determined by the judge presiding over the case. Once the defendant’s counsel enters a bail application, the prosecuting counsel will kick against it. It is left to both parties to argue out their points and the judge to make a final decision.
If bail is granted, the defendant has a chance to pay the amount set by the court in exchange for their freedom. However, if the defendant cannot come up with the amount, they can explore bail bondsman options. Bail bond agents offer a cheaper and simpler approach to getting someone out of jail. With a bail bondsman, the defendant is not expected to develop the entire amount set as a bail condition. The bail bondsman charges a fee which is usually a percentage of the bail amount, to process the defendant’s release. This is similar to how online bail bonds work too, using a scheme such as these two is often a great way to get your loved one out of jail when you can’t quite yet afford to pay it in full.
One major difference between paying bail to the court and using a bond dealer is that you will get a refund from the court at the end of the case. The refund, however, is subject to the defendant’s ability to appear on all court dates until their case is finalized. On the other hand, the percentage paid as a premium to the bail bonds company cannot be recouped. If you are planning on posting bail, whether as a first-timer or a subsequent surety, below are some of the tips to know.
The First Steps
Immediately after an arrest, the defendant is processed into the jail system and given a chance to place a call. This call can go to friends, family, loved ones, or a bail bonds company. The defendant can call family and friends who can come in to post bail on their behalf or contact a bail bonds company who will charge a fraction of the total bail amount. This first step should never be waived, especially if the defendant wishes to get out of jail fast.
Ask Questions
Asking questions is an important part of posting bail. If you have chosen to contact a bail bonds company, you should ask as many questions as possible regarding the process. Many bail bonds companies require certain documents and information to process a defendant out of jail. Knowing the needed information will save you time and help get your loved one out of jail fast. Some of the common questions the bail bond company may ask include;
- The defendant’s full government name.
- The offense for which the defendant was arrested.
- The jailhouse or police station the defendant is being held in.
- The amount is set as a bail condition.
You may also need to provide certain documents to back your bail application. If you cannot come up with the fees charged by the bail bonds company, you can ask about any financing solutions they offer. You should also ask other questions like what happens when the defendant misses court dates.
Be Patient
Time is an important factor when trying to get a loved one out of jail. However, you also need to be patient to make the right decisions. Make sure to consider the pros and cons of the decisions you’ll make. Also, after speaking to the bail bonds company and meeting their terms, you should be patient while they process your loved ones out of jail. Sometimes, the process may be fast; other times, it may not be as fast as you’d hoped.
Do Your Research
After you have been arrested and put in jail, the entire process becomes blurry. A great way to clear your mind and focus on the future is to read more into your situation. Research your arrest, contact a lawyer, and begin the process of your criminal defense. The earlier you contact an attorney, the better. Your attorney will work closely with you to look into all areas of your case for facts that can be used to build your defense. The lawyer will also appear with you in court to ensure that you are properly represented and that your rights and interests are protected.
Collateral
The bail bonds company may need collateral to secure the bond offered. This may be in the form of any asset that is equal or higher in value.
