Common Forms of Bail Bonds

Bail bonds are a wonderful commodity and service to have on your side in a time of need. Many people may think they have a general understanding of what a bail bond does; but many are also unaware that bail bonds come in several forms. Continue reading to learn about the common types of bail bonds in the industry and their various purposes.

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Surety Bonds

Most people are unaware that the term “surety bond” is just the formal name for a bail bond. These are the general types of bail bonds to get a release from incarceration. They are purchased through a bail bondsman or bail bond agency for a percentage of the original bail amount. For example, if a person is arrested for Battery, and their bail is set at $5,000, they would have to pay a bail agency 10-15% of the $5,000 to get out of jail and await their next trial date.

Property Bonds

For those who are arrested under more serious charges other than simple misdemeanors, may be subjected to use a property bond to gain a release from jail. If they do not get bailed from jail, they will have to wait in jail until their next scheduled court date and this could be months later. A property bond is used in cases where people cannot afford to pay the bail amount to get released because they are so high. In these cases, arrestees have the choice to place their properties up in place of cash. Things such as cars, houses, boats, motorcycles, and land can be used legally in place of cash to get bailed out of jail. If the arrested does not show up for all their scheduled court hearings and fails to complete their obligations to the court, they sacrifice the property they put up for bail. Property bonds are a very serious form of bail bonds.

Release on Your Own Recognizance Bonds

This type of bond is more of a verbal bond and does not require payment of any kind. These types of releases from jail are for first time offenders with very minor charges, like j-walking or unpaid parking tickets. In these cases, the jail will release a person without a bail bond on a promise that they will show up for all their court dates and complete the legal process they are obligated to in order to avoid future legal issues.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about bail bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana, call 317-876-9600 today. Woods Bail Bonds provides fast and friendly bail services for Hoosiers all over the state. From arrest warrants to jail pickup services, our courteous bail agents are here to help. James Woods and his team of agents offer the most professional and expedited bail bond services around. Call 317-876-9600 and talk to a bail bond agent about help getting out of jail in Indianapolis, IN.

What is Collateral in the Bail Bond Industry?

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

When people are arrested, they are taken into custody where they await their bail hearing. At a bail hearing, the judge will determine what amount to set your bond, taking into consideration your past offenses, and the severity of the current one. Your bail amount will differ from everyone else because of these particular variables.

Once your bail amount is set by the courts, you are given the opportunity to either hire a bail bond agency and obtain a release from jail, or remain in jail and await your next court date, in which you’ll receive your sentencing. When you hire a bail bond agent to obtain a release from jail, many will require some form of collateral in exchange. Read on to learn what collateral means in the world of bail bonds.

Collateral Bail

Collateral is any form of asset, whether it’s cash, property, vehicles, or something else of equal value that is held onto by a person lending a service or product. A bail bond agency will sometimes facilitate their services for the arrested, without asking for any collateral at all. Again, it all depends on the previous criminal history, employment status, credit history, and the type of current offense. A bail bondsman will examine these variables before deciding if they require collateral or not.

The reason a bail agency would ask for collateral is to ensure that the defendant does not skip bail, or fail to appear for their court dates. If they fail to appear, the bond agency is obligated to pay the remaining bond amount unless they can find the person and bring them to the courts. A bond amount can be anywhere from $1000 to $100,000. A bail bond agency only charges 10-15% of the entire bond amount. If a person’s bond amount is $5,000, then a bail agency would charge a $500 non-refundable fee for a bail bond. If the person skips their next court date after being released on bail, the agency has to pay the remaining $4,500 until they find the fugitive.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about collateral and bail bonds, call Woods Bail Bonds today! James Woods is a veteran in the bail bond industry and is happy to answer any questions you have about turning yourself in, outstanding arrest warrants, bail, and more. He and his team of licensed bail bond agents have been working in the bond industry for more than 30 years! Call them today at 317-876-9600 for questions about collateral and bail bonds in Indianapolis and its surrounding cities in Indiana.

Turning Yourself In for an Outstanding Arrest Warrant in Indianapolis

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

If you have a bench warrant out for your arrest in Indianapolis, Indiana, any crossed paths with police will land you instantly under arrest. Whether you are driving home from work, or going to the grocery store, a warrant for your arrest is a heavy burden to carry in any situation. As soon as a person is arrested on an outstanding warrant, they are immediately taken to jail where a bail may or may not be set. If the bail is not set right away, the person has to wait in jail until their set court hearing. This can sometimes take weeks depending on the amount of traffic the jail is facing at that time. If the bail is set right away, then the person can begin taking the necessary steps to bail themselves out of jail.

If you just found out that you have an outstanding arrest warrant in Indianapolis, IN, there are a few options you can consider. This blogs explains those options and more.

Defendant’s Rights

You have a right to retain legal counsel. Any person arrested and/or charged with a crime has the right to hire a lawyer to represent them. In a case in which a person wishes to turn themselves in on an outstanding arrest warrant, an attorney is advisable. A lawyer can use your voluntary surrender as an advantage to your case. They can negotiate pretrial releases and restrictions, bail amounts, and even start working on your case before you get to the jail.

An attorney can come with you to turn yourself in and speak directly with the commissioner or judge in charge of setting the bail amount. They can give the commissioner or judge more background information on your history and criminal record that may result in a lower bail amount. If you are not represented by an attorney and turn yourself in on your own, the judge will only see the allegations against you and set bail according to that alone.

If you decide to hire a lawyer, your rights extend to the following:

Prearrange Bail

As mentioned before, bail can be predetermined and possibly negotiated through your attorney. When a warrant is given, the bail can sometimes already be set with it. However, in most cases you have to attend a hearing to see how much bail you have to pay, or not have to pay. There, you have the right to use your volunteer turn-in as an asset in setting the bail amount. The lawyer handles this part. The bail hearing itself is called an initial determination, and can take place either before or after your arrest. At this hearing is also where you will utilize your right to have an attorney present, and speak on your behalf. You have a right to bring along a bail bondsman, or bail money, to make the process even smoother and quicker.

Negotiating Restrictions

Part of the initial hearing is to set bail restrictions, or conditions in which you have to live by if you want to make bail. You have the right to have your attorney negotiate these restrictions for you. Examples of restrictions include, but are not limited to:

• No substance use including alcohol
• Suspended driving privileges
• Limited travel capability
• Mandatory court appearances
• No possession or use of firearms
• Must give 24 hour notice of change of address
• Refrain from any criminal activity

Before being released on bail, you must agree to any and all conditions issued by the court. If you do not agree, you have to remain in jail until your next court date. This can take anywhere from 1-30 days depending on the courts.

Requesting a Review of Bail

Sometimes when a warrant is issued, a judge will pre-rule that no bail is allowed. And when this happens, not even the best attorney can get this order lifted. In this case, you still have rights. You have the right to file a motion to review bail with the courts, using the fact that you turned yourself in as an arguing point. This strategy has proven effective in the past.

So if you find out that you have an outstanding arrest warrant in Indianapolis, Indiana BEFORE you get arrested for one, you are already at an advantage. It is crucial to get an attorney immediately and prepare to turn yourself in together. Doing this one simple step shows the court that you are making an effort to right your wrong and may even result in a more lenient bail amount and sentence. There are various ways to find out if you have a warrant issued in your name.

You can:

1. Ask a police officer to look it up for you (although this is NOT recommended because they will arrest you on the spot and you will forfeit your opportunity to turn yourself in).

2. Go to your local courthouse and ask. They will give you all the details they have on your outstanding warrant without you risking an unexpected arrest. The downfall is that you have to know where your warrant may be issued. They cannot look up every state and county and find your name.

3. Use an online public records database to search for your arrest warrant.

Be prepared before turning yourself in on an outstanding arrest warrant in Indianapolis, IN. It is strongly recommended to seek out the professional help of lawyers and bail bondsman to safely and smoothly push you through the bail/jail process.

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about how to turn yourself for an outstanding arrest warrant in Indianapolis, IN, call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 today. James Woods, and his team of licensed bail agents, are happy to answer any questions you have about arrest warrants and getting out of jail. Here at Woods, our James and our agents are fast, friendly, and effective. Quality bail bonds and help with outstanding arrest warrants in Indianapolis can be found through Woods Bail Bonds and their multiple locations in Indiana.

What Happens When You Get Arrested for a DUI in Hamilton County, Indiana?

Has a close friend or a loved one recently been arrested in Hamilton County and now you want to know what happens next? The arrest and release process in Indiana works a little different in each county and each jurisdiction. Continue reading to learn about a recent case Woods Bail Bonds handled in Hamilton County, IN.

DUI Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

DUI Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Hamilton County DUI Case

Recently we placed a bond for a girl here in Hamilton County that claimed she was pulled over for speeding. The officer on duty asked her if she knew why she was being stopped; her reply was that she didn’t know. The police officer informed the girl that she was driving 45 in a 40 zone. He then asked her if she had been drinking. She admittedly told the cop that she had a couple of drinks early in the evening.

At this point, police are obligated to make sure a person is not over the legal alcohol limit while driving. So from there, the officer administered a field breathalyzer test, informing her that it was not exactly accurate but would give him a good idea on whether or not she needs to be taken to jail for further testing. If a person blows over a .08 alcohol level, they are considered intoxicated by law. She tested .08, and then was transported to Hamilton County Jail. Once there, she was administered a second breathalyzer test on a different machine that the officers claimed would give a more precise reading of her toxicity levels. Unfortunately, the girl tested at a .09% and was immediately placed under arrest. She was placed in a holding cell commonly referred to as the “drunk tank”, and forced to turn over all of her personal property she had on hand. She was told that she would have to wait at least 6 hours before she would be sober enough to be released from jail.

Hours later, the girl was removed from the holding cell and processed; meaning they took her finger prints and her picture, and then extensively questioned. Her bond was set by a judge at $2,500 and was notified that she needed to get a hold of a bail bondsman, or pay the entire amount with cash. She asked them if she could be released on her own and their reply was that she “wasn’t in Marion County”.

Hamilton County Bail Bond Process

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600


A pre-established bail schedule is used to set your bond. This schedule is formulated by the local courts so you are able to post bail before actually appearing before a judge. The types of charges and even where you live can be taken into consideration. For example, out of state residents are likely to be considered a greater risk for failure to appear.

If a surety bond is allowed, a bail agent can post a surety bond on the defendant’s behalf. The agent’s company then takes responsibility for making sure they appear in court. This means all dates until the case is over. A cash bond is paid directly to the jail. When posting a surety bond with a bail agent normally an “indemnitor” will be required to sign for financial responsibility. This can be a family member, employer or close friend. The indemnitor helps indemnify the surety against loss. It also provides a sense of responsibility for the defendant since they know a family member or friend will bear financial loss. There are a lot of times we will post bonds on defendants and let them sign for themselves.

Any OWI or DUI arrests will have an additional schedule that calculates when a defendants BAC (blood alcohol content) will be metabolized low enough to allow for a safe release. If the defendant is arrested on a warrant out of a different court jurisdiction he will be jailed in the arresting officer’s jail. Then normally transported back to the jail by the original law enforcement authorities; and they will not tell you when that will happen for security reasons. This can take days.

Hamilton County Bail Bonds

Vigo County Bail Bonds 812-333-3399

Vigo County Bail Bonds 812-333-3399

If you have more questions about the bail bond process in Hamilton County, Indiana and all over Indianapolis, ask James Woods, owner of Woods Bail Bonds. You can reach him and his team at 317-876-9600 for the most accurate and up-to-date information about bail bonds in Indiana. Him and our team of licensed bail agents are friendly and there for you in your time of need. We are happy to take your call 24/7, day or night. When it comes to getting bailed out of Hamilton County Jail, trust us for fast and courteous service.