Bail Bonds for Misdemeanor Arrests in Indiana: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on February 8, 2024 by admin

Facing a misdemeanor arrest is an unnerving experience, compounded by the complexities of Indiana’s bail system. If you or a loved one falls into this situation, understanding the process of securing a bail bond will be crucial. This comprehensive guide delves into the what, why, and how of misdemeanor bail bonds in Indiana, offering a detailed understanding to those who find themselves or their friends unexpectedly navigating the legal system.

Call 317-876-9600 for Misdemeanor Bail in Indianapolis Indiana

Why Choose a Bail Bond for a Misdemeanor Arrest in Indiana?

In Indiana, like many states, a misdemeanor arrest does not necessarily end in jail time. The opportunity for release can be a matter of hours, or you might not even spend a night in custody. However, the expedited release is contingent upon understanding the bail process and your available options, one of which is a bail bond. Opting for a bail bond is often the most feasible choice for those who cannot pay their bail amount upfront, ensuring freedom until the court date without the immediate financial strain.

Understanding Misdemeanor Arrests in Indiana

Misdemeanors are non-traffic offenses punishable by a maximum of one year in county jail. These include a wide range of charges, such as petty theft, public intoxication, and minor drug possession. The penalties can entail fines, probation, and sometimes, the suspension of driving privileges. While less severe than felonies, misdemeanors still carry significant legal and social consequences.

Types of Misdemeanors Charges

Indiana law categorizes misdemeanors into three classes: A, B, and C. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious, with potential jail time of up to one year. Class C misdemeanors carry the lightest sentences—from zero days to sixty days in jail—and Class B misdemeanors fall in between. Each class is associated with a specific range of potential fines and jail times, which the court will consider when setting bail.

Long-Term Consequences

A common misconception is that misdemeanors have no lasting impact. On the contrary, they can carry long-term consequences, including a criminal record that may be accessible to the public, affecting employment opportunities, housing options, and more. It’s vital to take these charges seriously and to approach the bail process with the same level of concern and attention as any other aspect of the legal proceedings.

The Bail Process in Indiana

The bail process can be straightforward or complex, depending on multiple factors. After an arrest for a misdemeanor, the accused appears before a judge who sets the bail amount. Bail serves as a guarantee that the defendant will appear in court for trial. The fundamental question is how to secure this guarantee, and Indiana law provides several answers.

The determination of bail amount is influenced by various factors, such as the seriousness of the charges, the defendant’s prior criminal record, their ties to the community, and the potential risk they may pose if released. The more stable and lower-risk a defendant appears, the higher the probability of being granted a lower bail amount.

Types of Bail Bonds Available in Indiana

Understanding the differences between bail bond types can significantly impact the financial and legal obligations of the defendant. Here are the most common used in Indiana:

Cash Bond – A cash bond mandates that the full bail fine be paid to the court. Upon successful appearance at trial, the amount is fully refunded, less any incurred court costs. This is not a popular options, as it costs a lot of money upfront.

Surety Bond – A surety bond involves a third-party, typically a licensed bail bondsman, who agrees to pay the full bail amount if the defendant fails to appear in court. The defendant or their representative pays a non-refundable fee, usually 10% of the bail amount, to the bondsman.

Property Bond – A property bond uses the value of the defendant’s real estate as collateral against the bail amount. The process is complex and typically involves a significant amount of paperwork, appraisal, and evaluation by the court.

Release on Recognizance (ROR) – As previously mentioned, ROR allows for release from custody without bail, based on the defendant’s promise to appear in court.

Pretrial Release Programs – Pre-trial release programs come with various conditions and may require the defendant to pay certain fees or comply with specific procedures for release.

The Benefits of Hiring a Bail Bondsman

An Indianapolis bail bondsman can simplify the process of securing a bail bond, especially when time and financial constraints are at play. The primary benefit is the immediate release of the defendant after a nominal percentage of the bail is paid, often accompanied by advice and support from a knowledgeable professional navigating the legal system.

The process typically involves:

☑ Contacting a bail bondsman immediately after bail is set
☑ Providing necessary personal and financial information
☑ Paying the bail bondsman’s fee, usually around 10%
☑ Following any additional instructions/requirements set by the bondsman

General Bail Bond Fees

Hiring a bail bondsman requires payment of a non-refundable fee, which is a small percentage of the full bail amount. The fee, often set by state law, compensates the bondsman for the service provided, including the risk of the defendant’s non-appearance. Here in Indiana, bail bond companies can charge anywhere between 10% and 15% of the total bail amount.

In Summary

Navigating the bail process for a misdemeanor arrest in Indiana can be less daunting with a solid understanding of the available options. Whether you opt to pay with cash, secure a bail bond, or explore the other possibilities, your approach to bail is an integral part of managing the legal journey that follows an arrest. Remember, professional bail bond services are available to guide you through this process and ensure your interests are protected.

So, remember, don’t panic if faced with a legal situation in Indiana – there are options available to help secure your freedom. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for trusted 24 hour bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve over 30 counties throughout the state. Request a free estimate or information, anytime.

Can I Get Messages in Jail While Waiting to Post Bail?

Posted on July 9, 2020 by admin

After being arrested under the suspicion of committing a crime, the first thought that comes to most people’s minds is their phone call. When do I get an opportunity to make a phone call? How many phone calls can I make? And another common question, “Can I receive phone calls or messages from the outside when arranging for a bail bond? All of these are reasonable and wise questions to ask. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about placing phone calls in jail after an arrest, including whether or not you can relay messages back and forth with a friend, loved one, or bail bondsman.

Typical Jail Process

The arrest and jailing process for county jails differs among jurisdiction. What might be procedural in one state, may be entirely different in another. However, the basics of arrest and detainment remain the same across the board. Once a person is arrested and detained by law enforcement, they are cuffed, read their rights, and placed in the back of the police cruiser. Then they are transported to the county jail, where they are escorted into the building through the processing center. Once inside, they will be searched, and all personal belongings will be confiscated, catalogued, and kept safe until their release; this includes your cellular device.

After being searched, the arrestee is taken to a standard jail cell, which looks like a concrete room with a concrete bench, and sometimes a water fountain or toilet. In rare cases, an arrestee will be taken to a room with plastic or glass windows, depending on their age, severity of crime, and more. When the arrestee is in their jail cell, the jail staff can choose when to begin booking and processing them into the jail database. If the arrestee is intoxicated, staff will wait at least 8 hours before even considering beginning the booking process. Similarly, if an arrestee is being uncooperative or disruptive, the jail staff will put them at the bottom of the list, and make them wait longer.

Making Phone Calls in Jail

The booking process is simply the stage where all information is taken from the arrestee, including basic contact information, employment, and residence, as well as, fingerprints and mugshots. Once the jail staff finishes the booking and processing phase, the arrestee is free to make their phone call, or calls. An arrested person can typically make as many phone calls as they like, so long as there are not others waiting to use the phone, and they are demonstrating good behavior. The catch is, these phone calls are not free, and arrestees must make collect calls. Furthermore, arrestees must dial numbers by memory.

If arrested and making phone calls in jail, the best person to call is your closest friend, relative, or loved one. They can then contact a local Indiana bail bondsman who can facilitate your bond posting process quickly. However, you cannot receive messages or phone calls in jail; so, once you contact someone, you must simply wait, and let them get on the job. You can, however, call back later to check on the status of your bail bond. Another option is to directly contact a local bail bonds company. They can get you out of jail fast, and all you have to do is sign the paperwork and pay the fee once they pick you up from the jail.

Where to Get 24 Hour Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure bail bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana you can trust, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Not only do we serve both adult and juvenile clients, we also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour. Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.

My Friend Was Just Arrested. What Happens Next?

Posted on June 25, 2020 by admin

When placed in a situation in which another person, perhaps your very best friend or loved one, get arrested right in front of your eyes. This is a confusing and stressful time for anyone, so it is not surprise that the first question that pops into a person’s mind is, “what happens now?” By understanding the arrest process, you put yourself at an advantage when it comes time to bail them out of jail.

To put your anxiety at ease and get a plan established, continue reading to learn what happens after someone is arrested, and most importantly, how to post their bond and get them out of jail as fast as possible. If you personally just became aware of an arrest warrant, this blog is also for you.

24 Hour Bail Bonds in Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Following an Arrest

Although the processes and procedures for placing a suspect under arrest varies among jurisdiction, there are some general steps you can expect. After your friend is cuffed and put in the back of the police car, they will be transferred to the local county jail. For instance, if you are in Marion County, Indiana, your friend will be headed to the Marion County Jail for booking and processing.

Once they arrive at the jail, your friend will be frisked, and all personal belongings will be confiscated and securely stored by jail staff. From there, they will be put through a data-collection process in which the jail staff will ask them a series of general questions regarding residence, employment, address, phone number, and more. This step also includes taking a mug shot and giving fingerprint records.

Intoxication Arrests

If your friend was arrested under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the jail cannot begin the data-collection process, also known as booking and processing, until the arrestee has sobered up. The general rule of thumb used among jails to confirm sobriety is 8 hours. This means that if your friend was arrested at 9 o’clock at night under the influence, they will not be eligible for booking and processing until at least 5 in the morning. You would just need to go home and get some sleep because there would be nothing you can do in your power to get them out of jail just yet.

After Processing

Once your friend has been booked and processed into the jail’s database, the judge residing over the particular case will set their bail. The purpose of setting a bail amount is to obligate and encourage arrestees to appear for their court heating after being released from custody. Bail should be high enough to make people want to appear for court, but not so high that they are incredibly unreasonable and unable to be paid.

For most jurisdictions around the country, bail schedules are used to help set bail amounts. These are assigned bail amounts for specific types of crimes. For instance, the crime of shoplifting a pair of sunglasses from the convenient store may have a bail amount set at $1,000, while a drunk driving charge may start at $5,000. Such schedules differ from state to state, and sometimes even county to county.

Posting Bail

As soon as your friend’s bail is set by the judge, and they have been processed into the system, they are eligible for release. In order to get released from jail, your friend can pay their full bail amount in cash directly to the court. After they have completed all their court hearings, they get a full refund. However, not many people have thousands of dollars in cash to simply hand over for the time being. Instead, many use the alternative, which is to hire a local bail agent for bail bond services. Although you are not refunded the fee you pay for a bail bond, it is much cheaper than the full amount. See our blog, “FAQS About the Cost of Bail” to learn more, including how much you can expect your friend’s bail to be set at.

How to Get Your Friend Out of Jail as Fast as Possible

The only way to speed up the process of bailing your friend out of jail is to hire the right bail bond company. Bail bondsmen that are well-established and experienced often have good and long-standing relationships with the local jail and courts. For this reason, they can usually expedite the bail posting process. However, as mentioned, if your friend was arrested under the influence, nothing can be done to get them released until 8 hours has passed and the jail staff has deemed them sober.

Where to Get the Fastest Bail Bonds in Central Indiana

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 if you or a friend needs bail bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana or its surrounding counties. Right now, we are offering Indianapolis Indiana bail bonds rates as low as 8% for those who qualify. Our offices operate on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, and in over 30 Indiana counties. There is never a time that we don’t have a licensed bail agent standing by to take your call. Get started with a free quote and jail information, today.