Wondering how you can get someone out of jail without a bond? We have a three methods to help.
What do you do when you get the call that a member of your family has been arrested? It can be an upsetting thing to hear, but it’s important not to panic. Whether they are guilty of the offense as charged or they have been wrongly accused, your first priority should be to get them released from jail and back home with their family.
Typically, when someone is arrested, they are held in police custody until the trial date unless they can post bail. Depending on the nature of the crime in question, bail can be incredibly expensive, and many are not able to afford it outright. Some may have to take out a loan from a wealthy relative or a loans company, while the vast majority will use a bail bonds agent or firm.
But what if you cannot afford the fees and interest required to go down these routes? Fortunately there are options for those who are in a tricky financial situation and it may be possible to get your loved one out of jail without a bond.
The following article delves into exactly how the bail process works as well as answering some commonly asked questions about posting bail. It also explores the various options available for getting someone out of jail if you cannot afford the bail money. Read on to learn more.
How Does Bail Work?
The bail process can seem complicated to those who have never bailed a loved one out of jail before, but in truth it is actually remarkably straightforward. There is a set procedure that the defendant must follow if they want to be released from custody pending their court dates. Here is a step-by-step guide to the bail process.
Step 1: Booking and Processing
When the defendant is arrested and taken into custody, they will be brought to a local police station to be booked and processed. This can take several hours, and will involve taking fingerprints and photographs, as well as conducting a background check. They will have the opportunity to notify their loved ones of their situation, and they will be held in a cell while they await bail.
Step 2: Bail is Set
Before a defendant can be released from custody, they must post bail. Bail is essentially a form of agreement that they will show up in court when required and will not skip town or break the terms of their bail in any other way. It involves paying a bail bond to the court as an insurance policy, allowing them to go back home in the interim. If they attend court, the money will be returned, or exonerated. If not, it will be forfeited and the court will keep it.
The exact figure required for the bail will be set soon after the defendant is in custody. The amount depends on a range of factors including the severity of the offense and the defendant’s history and ties to the community. The decision will be made according to the specific bail schedule within the state or county.
Step 3: Posting Bail
The defendant can only leave jail once the court has received the bail bond. Otherwise, they must remain in custody until their trial date. Bail can be posted directly, if the defendant is able to raise the necessary funds, but in the majority of cases, financial assistance will be required. This usually takes the form of a bail bonds agent or company who will cover the cost for a percentage fee of the total amount.
Step 4: Defendant is Released
As soon as the payment has been processed and any necessary paperwork filed, the defendant is allowed to go back home to await their court dates.
Step 5: Defendant Attends Court
Their bail agreement states the defendant must attend all scheduled court dates in order to have their bond released. If they fail to do so, the money will be forfeited and retained by the court. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevented them from being in court that day, they may be able to appeal for a dismissal or extension, but it is not guaranteed.
Step 6: Bail Bond is Exonerated
The length of the court process will depend on the offense, but once all obligations are complete, the bail bond will be exonerated. This happens regardless of whether the defendant is found guilty or not guilty. The bond will be returned to the person that posted it. If a bail bonds agent was used, the defendant will only have to pay a small percentage of the total bond, usually ten percent.
How Much Does Bail Cost?
It is difficult to give an exact figure when estimating the cost of bail, as it will depend on so many figures. The bail schedule provides judges with a guideline for setting the amount, and the final number will depend on the crime that has been committed. A serious felony, such as burglary, may result in a bail as high as $50,000. However, a less severe misdemeanor might only cost the defendant a few hundred dollars in bail. It’s important to note that if the offense was a particularly violent crime, they may not have the opportunity to be released on bail at all.
It is not only the offense that will be taken into account. A judge will also consider various other facts about the defendant and their life. If they have young children or close ties to the community, it is likely the judge will be lenient and set a lower bond. The same applies if they have a clean record and are not deemed to be a flight risk. Yet if they have form when it comes to missing court dates and committing similar offenses, the judge will have every reason to increase the bail amount.
How Do People Afford Bail?
You may be wondering how people can afford to pay such a high figure at short notice. Surely not everyone has thousands of dollars lying around or wealthy relatives willing to loan them the cash? The truth is that 97% of all defendants who get bail have to borrow the cash in one way or another. The best way is to contact a bail bonds agent, who will post your bail for a small fee.
By using this service, your loved one will be released in a matter of hours or days, and you will only have to pay a fraction of the total sum.
Can You Bail Someone Out of Jail Without a Bond?
If the bail is set at a high amount, you may not even be able to afford the bail bonds fee. Even though you won’t have to cover the entire bail bond, this could still set you back thousands of dollars.
Fortunately, there are several avenues you can go down that may allow you to bail your loved one out of jail without a bond. Here are some of the options available to you:
Own Recognizance
In some cases, a judge will allow a defendant to be released under their own recognizance. This means they do not have to pay a monetary bond, but simply sign a statement promising to attend all court dates as required. Own recognizance is generally granted only to those who are charged with minor offenses and are not considered to be a flight risk.
Signature Bond
A signature bond works in a similar manner to an own recognizance release, but you may need to work with an attorney to convince a judge to grant it. Much in the same way, it takes the form of a written contract that stipulates the defendant must show up to all court dates when summoned. The main difference is that there could be monetary penalties if they fail to do so.
PR Bond
A PR bond is a completely different form of promise to a regular bail bond, and may be the best option for those with a history of non-violent misdemeanors. If granted, instead of requiring the defendant to pay a monetary sum, they will instead have to fulfill other conditions like attending classes or going to therapy. This is often an option for those who are candidates for rehabilitation and are unlikely to skip court dates.
Get Help With Your Bail Bond
If you need to bail someone out of jail yet but are in a difficult financial situation, Balboa Bail Bonds can help. We can offer payment plans to clients across California, allowing those in financial difficulty to spread out the cost of the bail money and allow them to pay it in manageable installments. Get in touch now to learn more about how we can help you get your loved one released from custody as soon as possible.
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