Tag: bail enforcement agent

Arrested? Before You Panic, Make Sure You Follow These 3 Important Steps

On By In Lawyers

Whenever a person faces an arrest and criminal charges, it can disrupt every area of life. While this can be a period of great confusion, it does not have to result in complete upheaval. No matter what the pending counts might be, there are a few actions that anyone in this situation can take to make some sense of his or her circumstances. The steps listed below will be a good place to start.

1. Understand Your Charges

This might seem basic, but it is important to know as early as possible what a defendant will be up against if and when the case goes to court. Start by determining if a period of release will be allowed before a trial starts. If so, go ahead and secure the services of a reputable bail bondsman Jacksonville FL or wherever the charges are being filed.

2. Understand Your Options

In addition to searching for the right source of bail funding, there are many other professional services needed to successfully navigate the criminal justice system. For starters, it is imperative to find a team of expert attorneys with plenty of relevant criminal defense experience.

3. Understand Your Next Steps

Talk to the lawyers involved and be honest about all the details relevant to the case. In some situations, a plea deal might make the most sense. Other cases will call for a vigorous defense and potentially a lengthy trial. It will be up to everyone involved in the decision-making process to determine which path is best given the particular details of the event.

Although it is not a scenario anyone would want to voluntarily find themselves facing, criminal charges are a reality for many people across the country. In most cases, however, staying as calm as possible and following the guidelines listed above could be a big help.

Debunking Misconceptions Surrounding Bail Bonds

On By In Lawyers

Just about any time of year, people can make poor decisions and get locked up behind bars. Family members and friends may find themselves scrambling to post bail for their loved ones in jail. Since it is often an unexpected cost, most people will turn to bail bonds Allentown PA for assistance. However, with the misinformation around about bail bonds, people may find the process of posting bail a bit confusing. That is why you should look at these misconceptions so that you can better understand the process.

Bond Agencies Only Accept Cash

Thinking that bond agencies are cash-only could be one of the most common misconceptions that you are likely to encounter. While cash is an acceptable means of paying for a bond, most agencies accept other forms of payment. Bail bond agencies generally accept debit and credit. Also, you can discuss other options such as collateral with the bond agency.

Bail Is Similar to a Bail Bond

Many people do not know the difference between a bail bond and bail. They often assume that the two are the same. In reality, bail is the amount that a judge determines after an arrest; it is the amount that you are required to pay for your release from jail until the next court date. Bail is usually refundable when you appear for the court dates. However, if you cannot afford the bail, you require bail bonds. Bail bonds are non-refundable because you pay to an agency that posts bail on your behalf.

Bail Bond Agencies Negotiate Bail

The truth is that a bail bond agency cannot negotiate the bail amount. Bail amounts are never set at random. The judge determines the bail amount based on several factors such as the crime committed and your criminal history. As such, only the judge has the power to lower or raise bail and not the bail bond agency.

It is certainly stressful to get someone out of jail. Believing these myths may make you think the process is harder than it actually is. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be confusing after debunking these bail bond misconceptions.