Should People Be Allowed to Use a Credit Card to Pay for Bail?

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Many people wonder about credit card rates and annual fees. When it comes to responsible credit card use, it is suggested to never charge anything that you cannot immediately pay off. For example, many people charge car purchases to their credit cards, while not realizing that the average car loan rate is around 5 percent, whereas credit card interest rates are commonly 15 percent or more. Credit responsibility is a hard topic to debate. There are good and bad times to make a significant charge to your credit card; and everyone’s situations and scenarios are different. But what about other scenarios regarding credit card responsibility?

In particular, what about using a credit card to pay for bail? Should people be able to use credit cards to get out of jail on bond? Is this a responsible choice for people, courts, and society in general? Should Indiana courts be allowing defendants to pay for a release from jail with a credit card? Take a closer look at this topic and let us know what you think. Continue reading and learn about credit cards and the new “swipe and go” system courts are using to release defendants from jail in Indiana.

Using Credit Cards for Bail is Risky and Can Cost Taxpayers Money

Right now in certain Indiana counties, people are given the opportunity to use a credit card to obtain a release from jail directly through the courts. Courts are allowing defendants to pay their bond on a credit card but many feel that this method is unfair, irresponsible, and even dangerous. This is because there is no accountability for people who can get out of jail by simply handing over a credit card number. Many people question how defendants out on bond by means of credit can be trusted to appear for their court hearing on their own. This inquiry is certainly understandable. It is currently a very controversial topic among law enforcement and law officials in Indiana.

When a person is arrested for a crime, a judge will figure out if they are a likely flight risk, or a potential danger to their community. To avoid over-crowding in jails, a judge may release this person on their own recognizance; meaning they are trusted to show up for their hearing willingly. Instead of a judge releasing them on their own recognizance, they can choose to enroll them in a government-operated taxpayer pretrial program. This obviously costs taxpayers money. The last option for a judge is to establish a bond amount to guarantee this person will return to court for their hearing.

If a judge sets a bond amount, a defendant can now either pay a court directly to be released; or they can choose to outsource a private bail bond agency to obtain a release from jail. The bail bondsman takes on the responsibility of the defendant’s full bond amount, and only charging a small percentage of the bond amount as a non-refundable fee. This costs taxpayers nothing at all. Once this responsibility of bond is handed over to a bail bond company, it is their job to make sure the defendant shows up for court so that the bail bondsman can get their bond money back. Looking at past accounts and references, as well as recent statistics calculated by the U.S. Department Justice, this private bail bond system works very well and again, costs taxpayers zero dollars.

Allowing credit cards to be used for bail takes away from the economic advantages of bail bondsmen and agencies. These swipe-and-go systems are typically operated by out-of-state parties, online; so no one is there to see that defendants show up for court. Using credits cards for bail will more than likely lead to reduced attendance in court, repeat offenses, and of course extra costs for taxpayers because law enforcement will need to be used to track down those who skip bond. Credits cards for bail seems like a risky system.

Woods Bail Bonds Provides Bail Services You Can Trust in Indianapolis

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call James Woods, Owner of Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, for answers to your bail services questions today. Our team of highly trained and licensed bail bondsmen have decades of experience in the bail industry. We can offer a fast and friendly release from jail that doesn’t cost fellow taxpayers money at all! Call us today at 317-876-9600 and get more information about bail services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Are Indiana Courts Releasing Known Felons on Unsecured Bonds?

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Recently in a Marion County, Indiana theft case, a court released an individual on his/her own recognizance even though they had six prior felonies in the state! What does this mean for the safety of our neighborhoods and our city? When a person is released on his or her own recognizance, it means they are first arrested and booked, but then released from jail without having to post a bond or pay money to the court. In essence, they are simply released back onto the streets with no guarantee they will show for their trial hearing.

Individuals with past felonies and/or criminal records are being released from jail through the use of unsecured bail bonds. They are not required to pay money nor have liens put on any personal property in exchange for temporary release from jail. They simply sign a contract agreeing to show up for their scheduled court date, and agreeing to pay the set bond amount for failure to appear. Not only are they liable for the entire bond amount if they fail to show up for their hearing, warrants are issued for their arrest.

The problem with this scenario is that it is not likely to catch or find a defendant on the streets once they skip bond. In fact, the chances of law enforcement tracking down these individuals are small unless they are involved in additional criminal activity and arrested on separate charges. This means guilty felons and criminals are free to roam the streets after committing a crime, without any obligation to return to court.

In other circumstances, cash bonds are frequently being granted in courtrooms all across Indiana. This means the defendant pays the court bail money directly for temporary release from jail, without having to go through a third-party system. If they fail to appear for their hearing, they forfeit the money paid and a warrant is issued for their arrest.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about unsecured bonds or cash bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana, call James Woods at Woods Bail Bonds in Hamilton County. He and his team of licensed and experienced bail bondsmen are happy to answer your questions about Indianapolis bail bonds and more. We offer 24 hour bail bond services, and can provide a wide range of bail bonds; including property bonds, immigration bonds, federal bonds, surety bonds, and more. Woods Bail Bonds also offers notary services, jail pickup services, inmate searches, and more. Call Jim Woods at 317-876-9600 for details about unsecured bail bonds and cash bonds in Indianapolis, and throughout the state of Indiana.

Questions You Should Be Asking Your Bail Bondsman

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Although calling a bail bondsman is the last phone call a person wishes to make, they are the ones who we rely on the most for a safe and secure release from jail. When a person is arrested, they can choose to remain incarcerated until the date of their scheduled court hearing, or they can choose to request local bail bond services. It is very common for courts, trials, and hearings to be pushed back and delayed for days, or even weeks. If a person does not want to sit in jail waiting for their court hearing to take place, then a bail bond is highly recommended.

Continue reading to learn more about the bail bond process and the important questions you should be asking a bail bondsman when applying for a bail bond.

Preparing Questions for a Bail Bondsman

When a person is arrested, they themselves, or a friend, relative, or colleague can bail them out of jail with a bail bond. If a person has an arrest warrant active for their arrest, they can also facilitate the bail bond process for themselves and on their own. Let’s first start with traditional bail bond services. After a person is arrested, and decides to use a bail bond to get out of jail and await their court date at home, they can call a bail bonds company near the county of their arrest. Once they are processed through the jail system (i.e. finger prints, mug shots, paper work, etc.) they are eligible for bail. They can either call a bail bondsman from jail, or they can have a friend or loved one do it for them (the indemnitor).

In most cases, jail staffs will allow a person to make as many phone calls as they need so long as they demonstrate cooperative and good behavior. Jail staffs can eliminate phone privileges if someone is being disruptive or disorderly. In the case that a person has an active warrant for their arrest and wish to be turned into authorities, they basically follow the exact same steps; except, they will then be driven to the jail to be arrested, processed, booked, and then released with the bail bond they pre-arranged.

A reputable bail bond company will be happy to lead you through the process and answer any questions you have about bail and bonds. They should be able to assist anyone in need of bail; whether they are in jail already or somebody simply helping someone that is in jail. When a person finally gets in touch with a bail bondsman, there are some important questions to ask them in order to fully understand the process, and what will be expected from the arrestee and co-signer. These questions are significant to understanding how bail works and the roles of everyone involved. Be sure to ask your bail bondsman these questions:

What Does the Bail Bond Process Involve?

How Long Will it Take to Be Released from Jail?

How Much Does Bail Cost?

Is the Bail Bondsman Licensed?

Where is the Bail Bond Office Located? Is it Near the Jail?

What are the Responsibilities and Obligations of the Co-Signer or Indemnitor?

What Happens if the Arrestee Fails to Show Up for Court?

What are the Details of the Bail Bond Form and Contract?

If a person actively asked these questions and takes the time to understand them, they are more prepared to be released from jail, or get someone released from jail, with a bail bond. It is important to call around in order to find the most reliable and reputable bail bond agents within your city or state. Be sure they are licensed and experienced, and can provide bail bonds in your county.

Hamilton County, Indiana Bail Bonds

Bail Bonds Hamilton County

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-770-7400

Get on the fast track to reputable and licensed bail bond services in Hamilton County, Indiana. Simply call James Woods, and his team of licensed and experienced bail bondsmen for Carmel IN, Fishers IN, and Noblesville, Indiana bail bonds. He has more than 30 years of experience in the industry; retaining a well-versed and assertive staff of licensed Indiana bail bond agents. They are happy to answer any and all questions you have about Hamilton County arrest warrants, Indianapolis bail bonds, and more. Just dial 317-876-9600 and talk to a friendly and informative bail bondsman in Hamilton County, IN and its nearby districts.