Before you bail someone out of jail, you need some very crucial information. By taking the opportunity to learn more, you make the process easier on yourself and the person you are helping out of jail.
Bail Amount
When you get the call that someone you know is in jail, you first need to find out the bail amount. A judge determines this amount by considering several factors.
Factors that most judges use are the crime, the defendant's risk to the public, and past offenses. The crime plays a huge factor in the bail amount. Minor crimes such as stealing a bike or TV generally have a lower bail amount, while felony charges like assault have a higher amount.
However, the judge also considers the individual's past actions when determining the bail amount. For example, a person with no criminal history and no history of violence may get a lower bail amount. On the other hand, someone who has a criminal history and is violent may get a much higher amount, because the judge may deem him or her a risk to the public or themselves.
Type of Bail
Once you know the bail amount, you need to find out what type it is. In some cases, the judge will set a cash-only bail. This means that the bail can only be paid with cash, a money order, or with a bank certified check. For some people, this is the hardest type of bail to pay for because you are limited on the ways of paying for it.
Majority of the time, the judge will state that cash or bond is acceptable. With a bond, you pay a bail agent, like Chesterfield Bonding, a specific fee and they use their insurance as collateral to pay the bail. This is also known as a surety bond and the agent uses it as a guarantee to the courts that if the person fails to appear, the bondsman will pay the courts the full cost of the bail.
Terms of Release
One last factor to consider is the terms that the judge sets for the bail. The judge can create specific terms that the person must adhere to so they can stay out of jail. These terms can be routine drug testing, rehab, community service or limited travel arrangements, such as staying within city limits.
Failure to comply with any of these terms can lead to immediate incarceration for the person you bailed out. For this reason, if the judge stipulates any terms, you must notify the courts if the person breaks their bail agreement. It is never a pleasant aspect, but in some states, it is illegal not to notify the courts if the person breaks the bail terms set by the judge.
When someone you know wants to get out of jail, it is important to get some additional information first. With this information, you can determine if it feasible for you to get them out of jail.
