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.