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Bail Bonds in Chesterfield County: Check Your Bail Options Here

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In Chesterfield, When an arrest is followed by a charge of crime, the lag between the arrest and the case trial can be a long one, often extending into weeks and months. But it is not mandatory to serve jail until the time for trial is due. You can always check out bail options.

The Basics

On most instances, a process allows the accused release from jail after an exchange of money (bail), property pledge or a promise to head back to the court every time there is a hearing related to the case. When the accused successfully attends all hearings in the court, the bail is funded back to them after the trial proceedings are over. The refund is made irrespective of whether or not the accused is innocent.

When you check out bail options, you will come across the following point often. In case, the accused fails to appear before the court on any one or more hearing, the property or the bail can be forfeited. The court will keep it. On most such instances, an arrest warrant is issued.

What amount?

While there are different bail options set by different courts, the bail is generally set to the tune of an amount that is healthy enough to draw the accused back to the court. Depending upon the place of trial, the specific amount can vary greatly. The judges also play their part in determining the amount. Other influential factors include:

  • Nature of the crime (degree of seriousness)
  • Criminal record of the accused
  • Possibility of the accused fleeing area to avoid trial
  • Financial resources of the accused

These factors explain why two people that are charged with the same crime may have to pay different bail amounts.

However, by the ruling of the Eighth Amendment of the constitution, excessive bails and fines are not charged from the accused. Also, over years courts and lawyers have devised certain loosely defined rules for bail amount, who may be entitled to it and what can be the possible bail options for these people.

Generally, one can be retained in jail in absence of bail, if:

  • The judge believes the accused is dangerous for the community
  • There is chance the accused will try to escape trial
  • The accused is suspected to have committed a violent crime
  • If the charged crime is punishable by death or life imprisonment
  • If the charge is related to drug crimes

Cases have been observed where the judge sets an extraordinarily high amount for bail. This is to keep the accused confined in prison until it is time for the trial. #bailbonds

Measures to Consider When Bail Has Been Skipped

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It is a huge mistake to skip out on a court date when someone is out of jail. Not only will a warrant be issued immediately for that person’s arrest but they will not get the benefit of bail a second time. Skipping bail is an effective way to make a bad situation worse and most of the time it is the friends and family members who receive the brunt of the repercussions since they were the ones who bail the person out in the first place.

Bail is a great way to get out of jail time, prepare for the case in an effective fashion with the help of a professional bail bondsman, maintain existing jobs and take care of personal matters – so when bail is skipped, it means trouble and the perpetrator might not be able to enjoy his/her freedom for long. In this case, there are a few points that the friends and family members of the individual concerned should realize.

Never Harbour a Person Who Has Skipped Bail

Bail Bondsman

Harbouring a person who has skipped bail is a crime since they are technically fugitives and you could get yourself in trouble if you decide to do so. The person might get you to see his/her way of thinking by stating that it’s only a simple favour but you need to understand that you might risk getting thrown in jail for your actions. Thus, it is extremely important that you ponder the outcome and then proceed in a logical manner by not providing them with any shelter.

Discuss the Problem with a Bail Bondsman

If their defendant skips out on the fixed court date, the bail bondsman might face financial liability and so it is your responsibility to ensure that there is no way for them to associate you with the crime. The best way to do so is:

  • Get in touch with the bail bondsman on your own volition right away when you hear that your friend or family member has skipped bail.
  • Let them know all the details and if you can, provide them with information about the person’s current whereabouts.
  • Assist both the bail bondsman and the police any way you can to look for the person. They might turn up at your home frequently to ask questions and you should comply with them in every way.

You should never think for a second that the police or the bail bondsman is suspecting you of harbouring the person. They are only doing so as you know the person close enough to have sprung for their bail from jail in the first place.

Three Reasons why a Person May be Denied Bail

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Most people opt to hire a bail bondsman when one of their loved ones has been arrested. Their aim is to get them out as soon as possible as spending time in jail can be an extremely unpleasant and traumatic experience. In most cases, experienced bail bondsmen have no problem bailing out your loved one without hassle. Bail is common and the majority of arrested individuals are eligible to be released through a bail bond but there are instances where the defendant may be denied bail and must remain under arrest till the time of their trial. Under such circumstances, all the efforts of the bail bondsman cannot yield any results and they fail to get their client out of jail.

Rejection for Being a Flight Risk

If the defendant has a history of skipping court dates in the past, the judge may not be convinced that the present time will be an exception. Thus, if the defendant has a history of belligerence or the judge has reason to believe that they might use their influence or wealth to escape from the country, the individual might be denied bail.

Defendant is a Parolee

Bail

Courts usually have very little sympathy for individuals who are repeat offenders. They were allowed back into society on parole or probation once before and still they chose to be involved with another crime. This is especially true if the defendant happened to be under supervision or was released into the custody of someone else. As the individual could not resume a normal life and opted to misuse their freedom, the judge is likely to deny bail and keep them in jail by issuing a no-bail hold. In this case, bail bondsmen cannot help the individual in any way and they have to spend a specific amount of time in jail.

Problem with Non-US Citizens

  • If an individual who is not a citizen of the United States commits a crime, a lot of time the court will take into consideration the immigration status of the individual.
  • This is due to the fact that no matter what type of crime they committed or were accused of, the individual is more likely to skip out and return to their home country instead of appearing for their court hearings.

Moreover, if the court thinks that the arrest individual is staying on US soil without necessary documentation, they might place Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold on them.

Four Facts about Bail Bonds You Probably Didn’t Know to Date

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Every state has their characteristic bail bond laws and expecting everyone to know about them is a tad incorrect. In case you happen to be interested in knowing the details of acquiring a bail bond, talk it out with your state authorities. Consult them about the different laws prevailing at your place before you move on. Of course, few facts and laws pertaining to a bail bond will always be universal as they relate to the concept of bail itself. However, there are differences that you ought to know.

Concept and Facts

Basically, a bail bond guarantees that if a defendant in a criminal case has been released once from custody, he or she is bound to attend all the court proceedings and comply with the court’s requirements till the case is resolved. Below are mentioned few facts about bail bonds that many are unaware about.

  • Bail Bond Forfeiture

Bail Bond

When a defendant is unable to turn up for a court proceeding, a bench warrant is issued. The chance is not gone when it comes to losing the property pledged for securing the bail bond. The court usually sets a deadline via which the defendant is required to be returned to custody so as to avoid forfeiture of the bond. If the defendant fails to return in time, the bail bond gets forfeited.

  • Bail Bond Reinstatement

If the defendant can be located and given back to custody prior to the deadline set by the court, a bail reinstatement hearing is held for determining whether there lies any option for the bail bond to be reinstated. During this situation, the defendant is allowed to be free. The proceedings result in added costs to the Indemnitor who keeps the pledged property, in addition to expenses that the bail bondsman incurs while apprehending the defendant.

  • Bail bond as a financial obligation

It is via a bail bond that obligation is made to the responsible party or Indemnitor to satisfy the court’s demands for paying the full bail amount such that the defendant forfeits the bond by running away from the jurisdiction of the court or failing to appear in the court proceedings or fulfilling any other demand of the bail agreement.

  • Bail as a guarantee of compliance

The bail bond usually guarantees that once a defendant in a criminal case is released from custody, then he or she will attend all the court proceedings and also comply with the requirements of the court till the case is resolved.

These are just a few that many do not know, but now they do!

4 Reasons to Choose a Bail Bondsman who is Available 24/7

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Bail bond companies are a boon in times when a loved one has been arrested or the amount required to be posted to successfully get bail is not available. Bail bondsmen can not only help get a detainee out of prison on bail but also help him or her slowly pay back the amount for the bail.

Four Reasons to Hire 24 x 7 Bail Bondsman

Most bail bond companies offer a 24 x 7 bail bondsman to help out in any situation whatsoever. There are some really important benefits of having a 24 x 7 bail bondsman. Here are the top four among them.

1. There is no fixed time for arrests

As much as a fixed time for arrests would be appreciated, unfortunately, the police can detain a person at any given moment of the day. As soon as they have enough evidence against the suspect and a warrant for his or her arrest, they can detain that person without warning. Hence, a 24 x 7 bail bondsman is very useful for getting easy and fast bail. Otherwise, the person may have to stay behind bars till a bail bondsman is ready to take on the case.

2. Bail can be posted anytime

A convicted felon or a person awaiting trial might get a chance to be released on bail at any time of the day, depending on the judge’s decision. However, unless the person has the amount for bail ready, he or she might have to wait before the required amount can be raised from the bail bondsman. Here is a case where a 24 x 7 bail bondsman can be a great help to get the anticipated bail as fast as possible.

3. Addressing Queries from the Legal Authorities

24 x 7 bail bondsman

A legal authority, such as the police or the prosecutor, may have a doubt or a question regarding an individual’s bail specifications. In situations like these, a 24 x 7 bail bondsman can be expected to answer on his or her behalf, even when the agent is not on duty.

4. Contacting a Bail Bondsman According to Convenience

When a person or his or her loved one is in jail, their mind is all over the place. A lot of formalities and emergencies have to be dealt with in tandem. A bail bondsman who is available round the clock can be contacted according to the individual’s convenience.

A bail bondsman who is available all the time can be really helpful, especially in times of emergencies and sudden arrests. To avail immediate services of a reputable bail bondsman, contact Free Bird Bail Bonds today.