When you are in jail, the first thing on your mind is how to get out of jail as soon as possible. Once your bail is set, you can post it and leave. Unfortunately, if your resources are limited, it may be difficult to come up with the full amount. Understanding your options helps you out of the clink and back to the activities of your daily life.
1. Pay the Full Amount in Cash.
If you are a first time offender or were arrested for a minor crime, it is likely your bail amount will be low. You can pay the full amount of the bail using cash or a credit card. The downside to this method is that it requires you to tie up your financial resource until you have made all of your required court appearances.
When you lack sufficient cash, you may turn to expensive methods of lending, such as a credit card advance.
2. Purchase a Bail Bond.
You can purchase a bail bond with a bail bond company. When you purchase a bail bond, you only have to pay a certain percentage of the bail amount. Ten to twenty percent of the amount of the bail is a common amount; the bail bond company pays the remaining bail for you.
In some cases, the company can bail you out over the phone, expediting your release from jail. Bail bond companies are often available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help customers.
Depending on the amount of your bail, the bail bond company may ask for additional collateral. This covers the full amount of your bail in the event that you miss your court date. A vehicle or property are two common collateral options.
3. Ask to be Released on Your Own Recognizance.
You can ask the judge to allow you to be released on your own recognizance instead of having to pay a traditional bail. To qualify for this alternative, the judge must see that you are not a flight risk and will show up to your court date. Whether or not to grant this option is entirely up to the judge. If you are released on your own recognizance, the judge can attach additional conditions to your release, such as checking in with a probation officer.
One downside to asking to be released on your own recognizance is that the process can be time consuming. Though you may not have to expend your hard-earned money, you might wind up staying a couple extra days in jail.
Whether it is a loved one or yourself, you need to know your choices for getting out of jail. By getting out of jail as soon as possible, you can minimize the disruption to your family. Visit this site to learn more.
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