What is Bail?
Bail is collateral that a judge will demand for a defendant’s release from jail before their trial. If the defendant has enough money for the bail of their arrest, then they can leave jail until their trial. Normally the amount of the bail is set by the judge at the arraignment of the defendant’s arrest for criminal charges.
The Function of Bail Bonds
If the defendant or the defendant’s loved ones cannot afford to pay the full amount of bail then they can use the services of a bail bondsman. The bail bondsman writes a bail bond for the defendant and the defendant or loved ones pay a fraction of the total bail amount for the bond plus a fee for the bondsman’s services. The fee for the bondsman’s services is non-refundable.
The Process of Getting a Bail Bond
Obtaining a bail bond is very easy. All you need to do is gather necessary information about the recent arrest and the charges of the arrestee. After contacting a bail bondsman and agreeing on terms, most bail bond companies require collateral in the form of personal property (such as jewelry, car, or other valuable items).
What Happens After Posting Bail?
When you post a bail bond, the defendant is released from jail to return for their court appearances. Remember, after you’re released from jail, you are responsible to appear in court for all of your scheduled hearings. If for some reason you fail to appear for a court hearing, you could risk having the full amount of bail to be forfeited by the court, and even have a warrant issued for your arrest. The consequences can be severe.
Resources Available for Support
For recently released individuals and their families, support of any kind is welcome. Reach out to friends and family for help and support. If you need further information about the bail bond process, please visit https://www.alanasbailbonds.com/. They are an excellent resource to help guide you through the bail bond process.
Moving Forward
Getting out of prison is just the beginning for ex-cons. While the job of a bail bondsman is to get people released from jail before their trial, it is up to the individual to make sure they are meeting all of the requirements of their probation and to rebuild their good name in the community. This can be a very difficult and time consuming process, but with support from family, friends and from other places and with good information, it can be done.