Get Help Navigating Bail and Bond

Have you been called because a friend or loved one has been arrested and needs help with bail? It’s really not an uncommon thing, but the first time you navigate the criminal justice system can be daunting, because it is a new bureaucracy. The key is to be patient, because as with any bureaucratic system, you’re going to have to let it move at its pace. You can make sure things move as quickly as possible with a little preparation, though. That includes understanding when you can post bail or bond, what happens if a court date is missed, and how to get Wayne County bail bonds.

Bail or Bond?

The first step is understanding whether you’re posting a cash bail or taking out a bond with a bail pasco bondsman. Sometimes the judge at arraignment will not give the defendant a choice and will stipulate one or the other. A lot of the time the defendant can choose between them. Posting cash bail means coming up with the entire amount up front, but after the court date is kept, all of it is returned. For high bail amounts, this can be difficult to put together. bail bonds madera ca allow you to pay a percentage of the bail as a non-refundable fee in order to have a bondsman put up the money needed until the court date is kept. If you choose that option, most bondsmen will be able to process a request in just a few hours during the normal business day, and many offer 24 hour services upon request.

When To Post Bail or Contact a Bondsman

You can’t post bail before an amount has been set, so the arraignment needs to happen first. Typically, it is within 24 hours, but over weekends and holidays it can be a longer wait. After the judge determines the bail or bond amount, you can initiate the process and within a few hours, your friend or loved one will be released.