What are the Indiana Bail Bond Rules?

Within the United States Constitution, and decreed in the Bill of Rights(also referred to as “Declaration of Rights” or “Charter of Rights”), all citizens are protected against unfair or callous to suspected criminals and convicts, including unusual punishments and excessive bail and fines. For residents of Indiana, the laws governing such rights remains steadfast. If you or someone close to you might be facing criminal charges, it is wise to familiarize yourself with your 8th amendment rights.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about your right to bail, bail bond conditions, and bail schedules.

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

Your 8th Amendment Rights

According to the Bill of Rights, our 8th Amendment gives us certain rights surrounding bail. Basically, it prohibits the federal government from being unfair or callous to suspected criminals and convicts. Specifically, it states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

Although your 8th amendment rights protects you against certain judicial injustices, there are still additional rules and requirements for bail, set forth by the state. One such rule is referred to as Indiana Bail Schedule. Each city, and county within, has their own bail schedule, which can be confusing for many. This is why it is important to always consult with a licensed and experienced bail bondsman who can provide accurate information regarding your case.

As an example, review the current Marion County, Indiana Bail Schedule:

FELONY:
Murder = NO BOND
Habitual Offender = $50,000 Surety
Level 1 & 2 = $50,000 Surety
Level 3 & 4 = $20,000 Surety
Level 5 = $7,500 Surety
Domestic Violence: Level 5 Felony = $25,000 Surety
Level 6 = $2, 000 Cash Bond

MISDEMEANOR:
Class A Misdemeanor = $1,000 Cash Bond
Class B Misdemeanor = $1,000 Cash Bond
Class C Misdemeanor = $250 Cash Bond

Bail Bond Costs and Contracts

Bail bonds cost different amounts, depending on the state.  Bail prices are mandated by law, and are not set by the bail bondsmen themselves. The standard rate in Indiana among bail bond companies is 10 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.

A bail bond company takes a significant risk when bonding a person from jail and underwriting their bail. The company is basically “fronting” the money to the courts to get a defendant out of jail. If the person fails to appear for their scheduled court date, the bond company can lose that money. If the defendant shows, they get that money back. For this reason, bail bondsmen can refuse service to someone if they do not trust them.

See our blog, “Standard Bail Bond Terms and Conditions in Indiana” to learn more.

Indiana Bail Bondsman at Your Service 24/7

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.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Can I Go on Vacation While Out on Bond in Indiana?

The process of obtaining a bail bond for a release from county jail varies greatly from state to state. Accordingly, so do the rules and regulations for being out on bond while awaiting an upcoming court hearing. So what does being out on bond mean, exactly? A person who is out on bond has used a bail bond company to get out of jail. While awaiting their scheduled court hearing, the person remains out on bond until they appear for court to be sentenced. Once they appear for court, their obligations to the bail bond agreement are void.

While out on bond, a person has to follow a regulated list of rules. These rules vary from state to state, and from company to company, but all bail bond agreements have fundamental rules that all clients must obey if they want to avoid additional legal repercussions. One such rule has to do with interstate travel.

Continue reading to learn the limitations and allowances for going on vacation while out of jail on a bail bond, BEFORE packing up and hitting the road!

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bail Bond Agreements

Bail bond agreements are contracts, which means they legally binds an indemnitor (co-signer) to certain legal requirements. These requirements are mandatory, and if neglected, will lead to additional legal repercussions. Signing a bail bond contract means that you are accepting the terms and conditions of the agreement, which includes contractually agreeing to ensure the defendant appears for all scheduled court hearings.

If a person signs a bail bond contract, and the defendant they signed for fails to appear (FTA) for their court hearing, or leaves the state, they are responsible for tracking down the defendant and ensuring they go to court, as well as, paying fines and any related fees for tracking down the defendant. This includes the full bond amount, but also, compensation for the bail bondsman in terms of long-distance calls, travel expenses, administrative time, attorney fees, additional court costs, and more.

Going on Vacation Breaches a Bail Contract

The type of bail bond you’re out on (Federal or State), combined with many other factors, will determine whether or not you will be allowed to travel out of the state when out on bond. And if you are allowed to travel, there could also be restrictions on where and how far you can go. In all cases, no one out on bond is permitted to leave the country.

Most often, traveling out of the city is not a problem, but if a person who is bonded out of jail on a bail bond leaves the state to go on vacation, they are probably going to be in immediate breach of their bail bond agreement. In some cases, a person is allowed to travel out of state, so long as it national. On the other hand, if a person is out on a federal bail bond, they will most likely be ordered to remain in the state, and even the city.

In all cases, a person is still required to ask their bail bondsman permission first. Every case is different, and the law can be complex at times. So before you make any travel plans, it is vital to contact your bail bondsman to ask them directly about your individual travel restrictions, if any. This is the best way to determine if you are legally allowed to travel to your desired destination.

Where to Get Secure Bail Bonds in Indiana

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust. 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. And don’t forget that right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600