It's the phone call almost no one expects and never wants to get. When a loved one phones you from behind bars, you know you want to take action but may be confused as to what to do and when to do it. Read on for a guide on what to expect and how to help your loved one get out of jail.
The Arrest
In all likelihood, your loved one was read their Miranda rights, handcuffed, and then transported to the local jail in a police vehicle.
Jail Procedures
At the jail, the accused will be processed. In most cases, this processing consists of being fingerprinted, photographed, and undergoing a physical search and/or examination. In some case, your loved one might be tested for the presence of drugs or alcohol using a blood or urine sample. Clothing will be exchanged for a jail uniform and then they will be placed in a cell. In some cases, the cell is a temporary holding cell but they also might be placed in a single cell. The final part of the processing is a records check. Your loved one's identifying information is fed into a national database to check for warrants. Using this information, a decision is made about bail.
Bail, No Bail or Own Recognizance
Your loved one's criminal record and other factors are considered when deciding about bail. Bail is a promise to return to court at a future date and to stay out of further trouble in the meantime. In some cases, first-time offenders of minor crimes are released without having to pay bail. This is known as being released on their own recognizance and often your loved one is free from jail within hours or a day or so. Unless the crime is very serious or your loved one has an extensive criminal record, bail will be offered.
How to Handle Bail
Bail amounts can be high. Most people have a difficult time coming up with the large sums required to gain their loved one's freedom. Bail is usually set at an official court meeting known as an arraignment. This takes place within a few hours or days of the arrest, depending on local practices. Once the arraignment has occurred, you can find out the amount of the bail by phoning the jail.
Bail Bonds
It's not necessary to pay the full bail to free your loved one. Contact a bail bonding company to find out the amount of a bond. Bail bonds are paid to the bonding agency and they use their own funds to secure the release of the person by paying the full amount of the bail. Once the defendant fulfills the requirements of bail, they are refunded to bail. The bond money you pay, however, is not refunded. Most of the time, the bond costs between 3% and 7% of the bail.
To learn more about bail bonds, speak to a bonding agent.
Share5 January 2019
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