Important Bail Bonds FAQS You Need to Know

Posted on August 10, 2022 by admin

Helping someone post bail, or being arrested yourself, is a tedious and dramatic situation that requires legal and financial actions as well as a lot of patience. Once a person is taken in, there are common questions that initially arise about bail bonds and how to get bailed out of jail. Here are some important frequently asked questions about bail bonds and the bail bond process.

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Bail Bond Frequently Asked Questions

How Much is My Bail Going to Cost?

This all depends on the state you are in and the charge you have been arrested on. The typical amount of bail is 10 to 15 percent of the original bond amount. So, if a person’s bond amount is 5,000 dollars, then their bail cost would be $500. That is if the bond is ten percent. If the rate is 15%, then the bond amount would be $750. These percentage rates are mandated by State Law, which is why they may differ from state to state.

How Long Will I Be in Jail Before I Can Post Bail?

The amount of time you spend in your county jail is dependent on numerous variables. If you have previous charges on your record or happen to be awaiting trial on pending charges, the jail time will usually increase. If you are arrested while awaiting trial on other charges, then you may be held until your next court date, and bail will be prohibited, however, this varies case to case.

If you are arrested on alcohol charges, bail will be denied for at least 8-9 hours, depending on your state. A person must be sober to be processed, so if 8 or 9 hours is not enough time, a person can be help longer before bail is allowed. You must be processed to be bailed out, but you must be sober to be processed.

If you are arrested on battery charges or resisting arrest charges, a judge can altogether deny your opportunity for bail, and keep you locked up until your court date. Court dates can be scheduled in as soon as one week, or in other common cases, one month. It can even be longer at times depending on the amount of traffic through the jail.

Can I Call Someone From the Jail for Help?

Yes. Many people are misinformed if they think they only get one phone call in jail. The jail will allow you to make as many calls as you like, so long as you are not tying up the line too long. Also, a pay phone is the only phone available, so collect calls are the only option for inmates. Something to take note on, however, is that some cell phone providers do not accept collect calls. It is recommended, when arrested, to call a local number that can accept collect calls, like a family or friend’s home phone line. If you do not have anyone with a home phone line, a bail bond company can offer help and accepts collect calls from jail anytime.

If you are attempting to bail a friend or loved one out of jail, and your cell phone provider allows collect calls, they may require you to set up an account with a positive balance to accept more than one call from the jail. This means, third party companies or your cell phone provider themselves, will mandate an upfront fee of $20 or $30 in order to accept more incoming collect calls from the jail. This is another situation in which a bail bond company can help with collect calls from jail.

Who Can Bail Me Out of Jail?

If you are arrested, a friend, family member, lawyer, or bail bond company can post bail for you. The limitations state that a person must be 18 years or older and have valid photo identification to bail someone out of jail. A person may decline to post bail for someone, or cosign to bail a person out of jail if they fear the inmate may be a flight risk and skip their court dates. If this were to happen, the cosigner is responsible to appear to all the remaining court dates until they can bring in the defendant and turn them in to the court. They will also be held liable for their remaining bond amount to the bail agency.

Should I Bail Someone Out of Jail?

It is important to be sure you are making a safe decision when posting bail for a person. Ask yourself if they are responsible and if they are likely to show up for their court dates, as well as stay out of trouble in the future. If they are a repeat offender or have a streak of debt and unemployment, it could be irresponsible to cosign a bail agreement for them. In general, if a person can pay 10-15% of the bond amount, and show proper I.D., they can bail you out of jail.

Are you looking for a friendly bail bondsman to help you surrender to a warrant or bail your loved one out of jail in Indiana? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for fast and secure bail bond service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties.

10 Questions You Need to Ask Your Indianapolis Bail Bondsman

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

When facing a legal situation that involves jail time, before or after an arrest, there are plenty of questions you are asking yourself. But what about the questions you should be asking the Indianapolis bail bondsman you intend to hire? Because of the anxiety and confusion an unexpected arrest can cause within a family unit, poor communication is a common issue between bail bond agent and client.

Many people fail to ask the right questions at their initial bail bond meeting, then later feel shocked or upset after discovering a fact or piece of information they were unaware of. This leads people to blame the bail agent when things don’t go the way they expect. So, be sure to prepare yourself before walking into a bail bond company and bailing a friend or loved one out of jail by knowing what to ask your Indianapolis bail bondsman.

Continue reading to learn the top 10 questions you need to ask your Indianapolis bail bond company when looking to get a friend or loved one released from jail.

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Understanding Indiana Bail Bonds and Bail Services

When it comes to bailing a loved one or friend out of jail in Indianapolis, there are certain steps that are delicate to the Indiana bail bond process. There are contracts to sign, payments due, paperwork, agreements, and procedures to follow. With all of this in mind, it is highly recommended to prepare yourself with the right inquiries.

Here are 10 important questions you should be asking your Indianapolis IN bail bondsman before or while bailing a friend or loved one out of jail in your hometown:

How long does the bail bond process usually take?

How much does bail cost?

Do I need to report back to the bail bondsman’s office after picking up my friend or loved one from jail?

What are the restrictions of a person being out on bond?

Are there additional fees for bail bond services?

What is proper behavior when out on bond?

Can I use a debit card or cash to pay for a bail bond?

Can I bail myself out of jail if I have an outstanding arrest warrant?

What can I expect after being bailed out of jail?

What is the meaning and details of the bail bond contract and additional paperwork?

You can reassure yourself in the seat of a bail bond agency by asking these questions and similar ones that you may have concerns about. When involved in any type of legal situation it is important to know all aspects of your case, rights, and restrictions. You can also consult an attorney for answers to these questions; but it is highly recommended to contact a local Marion County bail bondsman for accurate and reliable answers from an experienced and knowledgeable bail bond agent.

Do you need help with a release from jail in Indiana? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bond service in Indianapolis and all surrounding Hoosier counties. We are open at all times, even on National Holidays and emergency weather conditions!

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Bail Bond FAQS for Indiana

Posted on October 16, 2019 by admin

Bail and bail bonds are confusing subjects for anyone who does not work in the legal field. But it is important to understand these topics if you ever have to deal with an arrest, whether of yourself or a loved one. With some basic bail bond knowledge, managing arrests, jail, and court can be less stressful for you and those you love.

Continue below to read through some of the most frequently asked questions about bail bonds, and get the information you need to be prepared for an arrest.

What is Bail?

Bail refers to the amount of money set by a judge for a person to be released from jail to await their scheduled court hearings. The amount of money set by the courts is determined by the person’s past criminal record, current offense, and their level of threat to society. Their level of threat includes the likelihood of them committing another crime while awaiting sentencing.

What is a Bail Bond?

A bail bond, also known as a surety bond, refers to a service or contract that facilitates a person’s release from jail by using a bail bondsman. The bail amounts set by courts can be very high and not everyone has that kind of cash available to them at once, so as an alternative, a bail agency can be hired to secure a person’s release from jail. The agency guarantees the courts that you will appear for your scheduled hearing, and in return they allow the person to await their sentencing dates at home.

How Much Does a Bail Bond Cost?

Bail bondsmen charge a non-refundable fee that is a set percentage of the total bond amount, and you do not get this money back after your court case is over. The set percentage for bail bond fees are regulated by the state. Here in Indiana, bail bondsmen can charge anywhere between10 to 15 percent of the full bond amount. For example, a $10,000 bond premium will cost $1,000 to $1,500 for a bail bond.

What is Collateral?

Collateral might be required by a bail bond company under special circumstances, but usually it is not necessary. Collateral can be money, assets, property, and more. The collateral is held until the bail bond is exonerated and the premium is paid in full. See our blog, “What Do Bail Bond Companies Accept As Collateral?” to learn more about this payment arrangement.

How Do I Bail a Person Out of Jail?

If you want to bail a friend or loved one out of jail, your best course of action is to contact a local bail bond company in the county where the arrest took place. For instance, if your friend was arrested in Marion County, they will be transported to the Marion County jail. So you would want to contact a bail bond company near that jail. Once you contact a bail bondsman, they can handle the rest of the process for you. They will give you all the information you need to make a decision on whether or not you want to move forward with the bail bond process. You will have to pay a non-refundable fee and sign a contract that holds you liable for the full bond amount.

What Information Do I Need to Bail a Person Out of Jail?

You really only need the person’s name and county of arrest to get the bail bond process started with a local bail agent. But if you want to possibly speed up the process, it helps to have the following information to give to your bail bondsman:

✏ Full Name
✏ Booking Number
✏ County of Arrest
✏ Arrest Charges
✏ Bond Amount

What Liability Do I Have if I Bail Someone Out of Jail?

If you are assuming the responsibility of signing for a friend or loved one’s bail bond, you are taking on a very serious legally-binding obligation. The co-signer, or indemnitor, is responsible for the full face value of the bail bond, which is the total bond amount. So if a defendant’s bond is set at $5,000 and you co-sign for their bail, if they do not appear for court you will be legally-bound to pay the entire $5,000 or face legal penalties yourself. This is why it is so important to only co-sign bail bond agreements for close friends and family, or people you know you can trust. Never sign for a person you have just met or only known for a short while. See our blog, “The Responsibilities of a Bail Bond Contract” to learn more about bail bond agreements.

Can I Bail Myself Out of Jail for an Arrest Warrant?

Yes, you can post your own bail when surrendering to an arrest warrant. Your Indianapolis bail bondsman can prearrange a bail bond for you, before you turn yourself into the jail. Once you are booked and processed in the jail database, the bail agent will post your bail, pick you up from the jail, and then take you back to their office to complete the rest of the paperwork. See our blog, “How to Post Your Own Bail For an Outstanding Arrest Warrant” for details.

How Soon Can I Post Bail?

The amount of time spent in county jail depends on the circumstances of a person’s arrest. If you have previous charges on your record or happen to be awaiting trial on pending charges, the jail time will usually increase. If you are arrested while awaiting trial on other charges, then you may be held until your next court date, and bail will be prohibited, however, this varies case to case. If you are arrested on alcohol charges, bail will be denied for at least 8 or 9 hours, because under law, a person must be sober to be booked and processed into jail. If you are arrested on battery charges or resisting arrest charges, a judge can altogether deny your opportunity for bail, and keep you locked up until your court date.

Where Can I Get Fast Bail Bonds in Indianapolis?

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis Indiana bail bonds 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.

FAQS About Acting as a Surety

Posted on August 2, 2017 by admin

Learn the answers to the most frequently asked questions about acting as a surety for someone who has been arrested and taken to jail.

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Acting as one’s surety is a serious responsibility. If a person fails to appear for their scheduled court hearing, you are responsible for paying the remainder of the bond amount on their behalf. If you do not have the cash to pay off the bond, you would likely have to forfeit assets, such as real estate and vehicles. This means you could lose your home, your vehicles, your savings, and more. Because of the seriousness of becoming one’s surety, it is common for people to have a lot of questions and concerns. Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions and answers about acting as a surety in order to obtain a release from jail for a friend or loved one.

What Does It Mean to Act as One’s Surety?

Signing bail bond paperwork, also known as an agreement or contract, you are becoming one’s surety. This means you will supervise them while they are out on bail to ensure they do not leave town, break any further laws, and appear for their scheduled court hearing. If they do not appear for court, you face financial penalties. A surety must be approved by the court.

As a Person’s Surety, Do I Have to Make a Payment Upfront?

Yes; an upfront payment will need to be made to the bail bond company during the signing of the bail bond contract, which must take place before the process can begin. This fee depends on the set bond amount and the local percentage regulations. Most Indiana bail bond companies are authorized to charge anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the total bond amount. This fee is nonrefundable and due at the time of signing.

Can I Be a Surety if My Income is Low?

Your income should not make too much of a difference as long as you can prove you are employed full-time and have been employed consistently for a long duration of time. This shows the bail bondsman that you are capable of paying the entire bond amount in the case that the defendant fails to appear for court. Having assets also helps. You can put up collateral, such as real estate, vehicles, stocks, and more.

After I Agree to Act as a Surety, Can I Change My Mind?

Whether the trial is taking too long or you have fallen tired of keeping track of the defendant, you may change your mind and want to rid yourself of the responsibility. Unfortunately, this is not easy. Once you sign the bail bond agreement, you are in a contract. However, you can go to the court and request to “pull” the bail. But this means they will also issue an arrest warrant for your friend or loved one, and they would have to surrender to police, get booked in jail, and post bail all over again. The decision is up to you!

Can I Be a Surety if I Have a Criminal Record?

Usually a minor criminal record will not keep you from being qualified to act as a surety. It depends on the severity of the charges and/or convictions, whether or not you have any pending warrants or charges, and a few other factors.

Indiana Bail Bonds You Can Trust

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional bail bond services in Indiana. Owner, James Woods, and his team of licensed and insured bail agents, provide 24 hour bail bonds in over 30 Indiana counties. Regardless of time, day, or city, we can get you out of jail fast, and for as low as 8% of your total bond! Request a free estimate, anytime!

Good Questions and Important Answers About Bail Bonds

Posted on April 21, 2017 by admin

When it comes to bail bonds, people have questions. Since there are so many companies to choose from, various types of bail bonds available, and a wide range of information pertaining to the surety industry, it is no surprise that people get confused about bail and bail bonds. Look below for a list of the best questions to ask yourself about bail bonds, and the important answers to them all.

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What Do I Need to Know Before I Call a Bail Bondsman?

When you call a bail bondsman, they will need specific information from you. Have this information ready to go before you contact a bail bonds company:

1. The defendant’s full name;
2. The defendant’s booking number (they can help you with this if you don’t have it);
3. The city and county where the defendant is being held;
4. The bail amount set by the judge (they can help you with this too if you don’t have it);

How Does the Bail Bond Process Work?

When a person is arrested, they have the opportunity to post bond if one is set for them. When they do not want to pay the full cash amount to the court, they can choose to use a bail bond instead. They contact a bail agent who will cover the full bail amount in exchange for their conditional release from jail. They do this for a non-refundable fee.

Do I Have to Sign a Contract for a Bail Bond?

Yes; obtaining a bail bond does require a person to sign a bail bond agreement. This is a contractual agreement that is legally binding. If a defendant fails to appear for court or disobeys any bond conditions, their bail bond can be revoked, and the person who signed the contract is legally liable for paying the full bond amount back to the bail agent.

How Much Does a Bail Bond Cost?

The cost of a bail bond depends on the defendant’s bond amount. If a person’s bond is set at $5,000, the cost of a bail bond would be different from someone who has a bond set at $1000. Bail bond companies charge a set percentage that is state regulated. These range between 10 and 15 percent. Some bail bond companies can charge lower percentage rates if the laws allow it in their state.

Do I Get My Money Back for a Bail Bond?

Unlike paying the full cash amount to the court for a release from jail, you do not get your cash back once your case is over when you obtain a bail bond. You pay a percentage of your total bond amount, which is non-refundable. If the bond is $1000, and the rate is 10%, you would pay a non-refundable fee of $100 for a bail bond.

Can I Leave the State on Bond?

One of the primary conditions of a bail bond contract is that the defendant cannot leave the state. They must also abide by all other set conditions, by the bail bond contract and the courts. This includes refraining from drug and alcohol use, obeying all laws, and appearing for all mandatory court hearings.

Which Types of Collateral Do Bail Bondsmen Accept?

Bail bond companies prefer cash, but they sometimes accept collateral in exchange for their services as well. Commonly accepted collateral in the bail bonds industry include:

• Cars
• Boats
• Businesses
• Real estate
• Bank accounts
• Credit cards
• Stocks
• Bonds
• Jewelry
• Personal credit

Indiana Bail Bonds You Can Trust

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-770-7400

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional bail bond services in Indiana. Owner, James Woods, and his team of licensed and insured bail agents, provide 24 hour bail bonds in over 30 Indiana counties. We serve the Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana areas with safe and secure bail bonds you can afford. Right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Call 317-876-9600 anytime for fast Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust.