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Originally Posted On: https://rivercity-bailbonds.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-the-bail-bonds-process/
If someone you love is accused of a crime and gets arrested, he or she doesn’t necessarily have to stay in jail while awaiting a court appearance. Typically, a judge will set bail for the accused. If someone can provide the bail amount to the court, the individual is released from jail until the court date. Knowing what to do and the steps you have to take helps the process go much smoother. The process is simple and straightforward, but it can be overwhelming in a time of high stress. It’s always best to be prepared and find out exactly what you can do to streamline the process.
- Know the Timing for Having the Bail Amount Set
- Gather the Basic Information You’ll Need
- Decide How You’ll Pay
- Reach Out to a Bail Bondsman
Know the Timing for Having the Bail Amount Set
Timing is crucial when attempting to bail someone out of jail. After an arrest, your first instinct may be to try to figure out how you can get your loved one out. Before anything can happen, the judge must set the defendant’s bail amount. If the arrest happened over the weekend, they might not be issued bail until the judge returns to work Monday. When an arrest occurs on a weekday, a judge will likely set bail within one to two days, but this can vary depending on the number of arrests awaiting a bail hearing. Once the bail has been set, you can bail the person out.
Gather Basic Information
You’ll need to gather some basic personal details about the incarcerated individual and the jail where they are being held.
- The defendant’s full name
- The defendant’s date of birth
- The location of the jail
- The defendant’s booking number
- The bail amount
Have the proper spelling of the defendant’s full name and the complete address of the jail. You’ll need to contact the jail to acquire the defendant’s booking number and bail amount. Knowing what to research before before you post bail will make the process less stressful for everyone.
Decide How You’ll Pay
There are multiple ways to post bail. If you have money on hand and want to pay the entire bail amount yourself, there is no need for a bail bondsman. You would furnish a cash bond, which means you’re paying the entire amount plus any fees in cash directly to the court. You’ll typically make the payment directly to the jail. Find out what you need to know after you post bail for someone. If the defendant doesn’t show up for court, you may lose your entire bond. This is a risk you’re agreeing to assume when posting a cash bond for someone. Even if the defendant appears at each court date, the court could still potentially use the cash you provided to cover fees or restitution the defendant is required to pay. If you can’t afford to lose your money, it’s not a good idea to bail someone out of jail by yourself.
Reach Out to a Bail Bondsman
A safer option is to contact a bail bondsman to post bail for your loved one. You typically need just 10 percent of the bail amount and some form of collateral. River City Bail Bonds offers flexible payment options to make it even easier to come up with the required bond premium. To go through a bail bondsman, you’ll need:
- All the information basic information about the defendant and the jail location
- Your driver’s license or photo identification
- Proof of residence
- Employment verification (pay stubs)
- Ownership documents for any collateral you plan to use (home, car, bank accounts, etc.)
- Payment for the bond premium
At River City Bail Bonds, we focus on convenience. We can process bonds by fax or email 24/7 and even take payments over the phone. While some bail bondsmen may require cash in the exact amount of the premium, we accept all major credit cards to make things easier on you. In addition, we offer senior and military discounts.
Contact us today to learn more about how you can prepare for the process.
