Understanding Bail: What You Need to Know

When you get arrested, your entire life doesn’t have to be put on hold; you can post bail. Once you get out of jail and return to a normal life, you can prepare your defense and continue working. Because bond amounts vary depending on where you live and the crime you committed, you may have many questions about this process.

How Do You Prepare After the Arrest?

Once the jail cell closes, your mind may be racing because you may have never been there before. So how do you address this situation? The best thing you can do is prepare for your defense. Don’t talk to any police officers because they probably have their mind made up about your situation and are just looking for a confession.Rather, consult with an attorney to see what legal options you have. It may be possible to plead guilty, settle out of court, or take a plea bargain where you serve community service hours and pay a fine. You shouldn’t fight this process or make a scene while in jail either, as this could affect your bail amount.

Types of Bail Bonds

There are four common bail types you can use: property bond, deposit bond, surety bond, and full cash bond. Surety bonds are among the most common, usually requiring you to pay 10% of the bail amount plus collateral if required.

• Property Bond: Uses real estate as collateral.
• Deposit Bond: Requires a cash deposit with the court.
• Surety Bond: Involves a bail bondsman who guarantees the bail amount.
• Full Cash Bond: Requires the full bail amount in cash.

For more detailed information on these types of bonds, check out our Bail Bond Types page.

How Do You Post Bail?

If you have never been arrested before, you may not know how posting bail works. Fortunately, it’s not that complicated. You need to contact a licensed and trustworthy bail bondsman, who charges a fee in exchange for standing as surety for the bail. If your family doesn’t have much money on hand, it’s best to find a bondsman that doesn’t charge interest and always has the same rate. This protects you financially.Hiring a bail bondsman gives you access to a professional who knows the legal system. They know how long this process takes and can provide valuable information that keeps everything moving smoothly. They also save you money because you’re only required to pay a portion of the bond. If you don’t have this kind of money, some bondsmen are willing to accept possessions like jewelry as collateral. They may also accept credit cards, vehicles, real estate, bank accounts, and stocks.

Can You Travel While on Bail?

If you decide to post bail, you may think about traveling to clear your head after such a stressful situation. Traveling to a nearby city may not be problematic compared to traveling to a different state or country. This can be an issue depending on the severity of the crime you’re accused of. The judge may deem you a flight risk and prevent you from going anywhere. In this case, you’ll have to stay put.There are also several obligations you must honor while on bail, such as appearing in court on specific dates. You may not know when these dates are yet, so traveling would not be advisable until you find out more about your case. Only travel once your case is fully settled.

What Happens if You Are Rearrested?

Just because you’re out on bail doesn’t mean you can do anything you like. If you’re arrested for another crime, your bond may be canceled. The judge can also raise your bail amount, which is often the case when committing a more serious crime than the one for which you’ve already posted bail.

Resources for Further Assistance

Getting arrested is always a nerve-wracking experience, but many resources can help you navigate this challenging time:

• Find an Attorney: Connect with legal professionals who can assist with your case.
• Bail Bonds FAQ: Get answers to common questions about the bail process.
• Local Jail Information: Learn more about local jail procedures and visitation hours.

Make sure you’re prepared so this process doesn’t drag out and cost you more money than necessary. For immediate assistance with bail bonds in your area, contact JR’s Bail Bonds at 1-888-577-2245 or visit our Contact Us page for more information.