Having someone you care about get arrested can be a stressful situation. They’ll want to get out of jail as soon as possible. One way to get them out of jail is to obtain a bail release for them. When bail is low, you can use cash to get your loved one out.
However, when there’s a high bail amount, a cash payment isn’t necessarily an option. That’s where a bail bond becomes beneficial. Bail bonds make it possible for someone to leave jail while they await trial.
If you’ve decided to post bail for someone you care about, here is some information you need to know to help you avoid mistakes when posting bail for someone.
Consult With an Attorney
Obtaining a bail bond for someone is a big commitment. When you obtain a bail bond, you’re making a commitment to the court that you’ll be responsible for this person. That’s why you should speak to an attorney before you start the bail bond process.
An attorney can walk you through the process. They can also help you understand your responsibilities and help you decide if obtaining a bail bond for your friend or loved one is the right decision for you.
Learn About the Options
Bailing someone out of jail can be a confusing process, especially when trying to obtain a bail bond. Many people don’t realize that there are different types of bail bond releases. You can obtain private and public bail bonds if you pay a certain percentage of the total bail amount.
If you don’t have cash to use for a bail bond release, you can request a property bond. Some states allow you to use real and personal property as collateral for a bail bond. That way, you don’t need to use any of your cash for a release.
Finally, there’s a signature bond. With a signature bond, your loved one can sign a document promising to appear for their mandated court appearance.
Know the Financial Costs
Bailing someone out of jail can come with a lot of financial responsibility, whether you’re bailing out a friend or a loved one. That’s why you need to understand the total costs. Before you make a commitment, assess the costs involved with the process, including bail fees and court costs. Also, be sure to ask if there will be any additional costs so you can avoid financial strain.
Understand the Restrictions
Bail bonds come with guidelines and conditions. In many cases, those conditions are based on the type of crime that was committed. Some conditions can include curfews and travel restrictions. There may also be conditions that restrict someone from consuming alcohol or from seeing certain people.
Failure to comply with the conditions could cause the bail bond to be revoked. Unfortunately, if that happens, you could lose your money and your collateral. Once your friend or loved one is out on bail, discuss the restrictions with them so that you’re both on the same page about the bail conditions.
Update Your Own Records
When you visit a bail bond agent, there’s certain information you’ll need to provide, including your loved one’s full name and birth date. You’ll also need to provide a booking number for your friend or loved one. You also need to provide contact information for yourself. This can help the bail bond agent contact you in an emergency. If that information changes, contact the bail bond agent immediately.
If you want to obtain a bail bond release for a friend or loved one, contact Hand In Hand Bail Bonds right away. We can help you avoid mistakes in the process.
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