What you need to know about bail
Once you are charged with a crime, you can be arrested pending a hearing. However, the arrest does not mean that he has to spend time in jail before being convicted of the crime. He can still enjoy his freedom while he waits for his short date and this is something that is made possible through bail. A bond is a simple agreement between you, the defendant, and the court for an amount of money that serves as a guarantee that you will actually return for your scheduled court hearing.
The amount of the bond is usually high and is refunded when you appear at the hearing as agreed. In case you miss the date, you lose the amount paid and an arrest warrant is issued against you. Those unable to pay the bail amount have no choice but to remain in jail until their scheduled court day. Trials can take months and it can be frustrating having to say behind bars before being sentenced simply because you can’t afford bail.
How does it work
If the bond set is too high for you or your family to afford, you may need to work with a bond. A surety bond is like a personal loan. You will be asked to put down a small percentage of the total amount required and then have a bail bondsman or bondsman provide the remaining amount. Usually collateral is required to give the remaining amount and this is what works as collateral. It could be property, house, because or even high priced jewelry. A bail bond company can be helpful when it comes to bail bonds and they prefer to work with family and friends of the defendant because they would know where to find the defendant in case they decide to disappear.
The types of bonds
Surety bonds come in different types and include surety bond that is insured by the insurance company for the necessary financial backing; property bond where the defendant’s home is put up as security for release pending court appearance; it can be sold in case the defendant does not show up on a short date. You may also get some immunity from jail if the judge decides that your crime is low level and there is no flight risk involved.
Your criminal defense attorney can help you obtain a bond or bond once you have been arrested. It is always a good idea to contact a criminal lawyer as soon as you are arrested so they can help you through every stage of the process, including bail and trials. You may be lucky enough to get free initial consultations and then enjoy flat fees for all the services your lawyer will offer to ensure you have the most pleasant experience dealing with the charges against you. Choose a lawyer you can trust with transparency, especially when it comes to the charges.
