Did you know there are multiple types of bail bonds? It’s true; aside from the conventional bail bond you use to get out of jail, there are additional bond options that you may or may not qualify for. Continue reading to review some of the more common types of bail bonds offered in Indiana, and learn which one will best suit your needs for getting yourself or a loved one out of jail.
The Importance of Bail
There are several ways bail bonds help people. Having the chance to leave jail and await a court hearing from the comfort of their own home can increase the chances of a person improving their legal situation. You see, when a person is arrested, they are taken to jail to await their court hearing. Depending on the amount of traffic in the jail, and the type of crime the person was arrested for, court dates can be scheduled days, weeks, or even months away from the date of arrest.
So, if a person cannot gain a release from jail before their court date is scheduled, they are forced to stay incarcerated until then. If this happens, not only must a person make certain arrangements for kids, work, school, and all other important personal matters, they also have to make arrangements for their legal situation or use the court appointed legal counselor for representation in court. Neither scenarios are desirable. Fortunately, bail bonds offer some relief. So, always use a bail bondsman to get out of jail.
Here are the Most Common Types of Bail Bonds:
☑ Property Bonds
These types of bonds are used when someone does not have the cash to bail themselves out of jail; so instead, they put up some of their property. This can be a house, car, or anything of value that has the equivalent value of the bond. These bonds are not always available and different from state to state. If the person shows up for their hearing, then the property is released back to them, as if it were just collateral. If the person does not show up for their scheduled hearing, then the courts begin to repossess their property, and often times, auctions it off for money.
☑ Surety Bonds
A surety bond is more commonly called a bail bond. It is the type of bond used in most states to promise the release of someone in jail. In most cases, the bail agency will charge a standard rate, usually 10% of the full bond amount. If the total bond amount is $10,000, then you pay a non-refundable service fee of $1,000 to get that person released from jail. If the person does not show up for the scheduled court date, the bail agency is required to pay the full bail amount for them, unless they can find the defendant who jumped bail, and return them to the courts. These people are called bounty hunters, and really do exist.
☑ Release on Your Own Recognizance (OR’d)
This is usually for first time offenders and very minor charges, like unpaid traffic tickets. This is when the federal law allows a person to be released from jail without bail, under the agreement that they will show up for their scheduled court date, and avoid any more illegal activity.
☑ Citation Release
This is for very minor charges like j-walking. It is a strategy also used by many county jails to avoid over population issues. Instead of being arrested and taken to jail, the police officer will issue you a citation or ticket, obligating you to show up for court. In this situation, a person is free to carry on with their day, but attend a future court date and probably ordered to pay a fine.
Where to Get Fast and Affordable Bail Bonds
Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, 24 hour bail bond services in Indiana. Not only can we get you out of jail fast, we can prearrange a bail bond if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant. We provide all Local, State, and National bonds, and serve over 30 Indiana counties. Request a free estimate, anytime.
