If you are arrested for a criminal offense, including DUI, you are going to find out that in the real world there are no such things as get out of jail free cards. You are instead going to be offered one of two options, you are either going to have to post bail or you are going to have to remain in jail until you have your day in court. In most cases people elect to post a
bail bond and get their freedom back, at least until they appear in court.
When it comes to getting a bail bond, there are several factors that can affect the amount of bail that the courts have set. The first consideration in setting the dollar figure is the nature of the crime for which you have been arrested and charged. This will vary from state to state, but on the whole the more serious the offense, the higher your bail is likely to be set. For example shoplifting would carry a much lower bail amount than robbing a bank.
In some cases the judge may refuse to set a bail if the nature of the crime is extreme. Your criminal record can also affect the amount of bail set. If you have never been arrested for or convicted of a crime, the amount of your bail is going to be lower than that set for someone who is a repeat offender and has spent time in and out of jail and/or prison. The courts will also take into account your risk of flight and immigration status before arriving at a figure that will secure your release, pending your appearance in court to answer the charges levied against you.
How you choose to pay the bail is entirely up to you. Once you know how much it is, if you have the money to cover the full amount, you can pay it directly to the court and you will be free. Unfortunately, if you are like most people, you are not likely to have several thousand dollars or more lying around that you can afford to let the court system hang on to for what can be months. Remember that as long as you make your court appearance and your case is settled, you will get your money back.
The other alternative is to work with a bail/bond agency and hire them to represent you. When you do this they will, for a fee, post a bond with the courts to secure your freedom. In general the amount of money you need to give to them is typically 10% -15% of the original bail amount, and this % does vary from state to state. The bail bond agency will post a written bond with the courts that guarantees your appearance in court in lieu of paying the full amount of the bail set by the court.
If you find yourself sitting in jail and in need of a reputable and trustworthy bail/bond agent, contact
Expert Bail and let us help you find an agency in your area. By visiting ExpertBail.com and doing a quick search or by just placing a single phone call, we can put you in touch with a professional, well-qualified and trustworthy bail bondsman that you can count on to give you back your freedom.
