What You Need to Know About Posting Bail in Indianapolis

Whether you are facing an arrest warrant, helping a loved one, or simply being proactive about the possibility of an arrest, knowing how to get out of jail by posting bail is important information to have. Continue below to review some of the most frequently asked questions about posting bail in Indianapolis, Indiana for help obtaining a quick release from jail.

Call 317-876-9600 to Get a Bail Bond in Indianapolis Indiana!
Call 317-876-9600 to Get a Bail Bond in Indianapolis Indiana!

FAQS About Posting Bail For Yourself or a Friend

What is Bail?

Bail is money or some other form of property that an arrested person gives to a court in order to secure his or her release from jail. The bail may be in the form of cash, collateral, or a bond. If the defendant appears for all scheduled court appearances, the bail will be returned. If the defendant does not appear, the bail may be forfeited, also known as bail forfeiture, and they may be subject to arrest. Bail may be granted by a judge at arraignment (the first court appearance after arrest) or at any subsequent court hearing. The Indiana bail bond process begins when the bail agent posts bail on behalf of the defendant.

Why Do People Have to Post Bail in Order to Be Released From Jail?

Bail bonds are insurance policies that are purchased by the accused or their loved ones. These policies cover the bail amount if the accused does not show up for their court date. Bail is intended to ensure that people who are accused of crimes show up for their court date. It is not a form of punishment, and it should not be used to keep people in jail who pose no risk to society.

How Much Does Bail Usually cost?

Most jurisdictions have set bail schedules that are used to determine the bail amount for specific crimes. For example, someone who has been charged with a misdemeanor may have a bail amount of $500, while someone who has been charged with a felony may have a bail amount of $5,000. In some cases, bail may be set at “no bail” if the judge believes that the defendant is a flight risk or poses a danger to the community.

Bail agents in Indianapolis typically charge a non-refundable fee, which is set by Indiana law. The fee is usually 10% of the bail amount but may be higher or lower depending on the state in which you are located. In some states, bail agents may charge additional fees, such as an application fee, an investigation fee, or a cosigner indemnity fee.

Cash bail is the most common type of bail, but bail may also take the form of collateral, such as property, stock, businesses, or jewelry. In some cases, a court may release an arrested person on their own recognizance (OR), which means that no bail is required. However, this is typically only allowed in cases where the crime is not considered serious, and the person is not considered a flight risk.

How Can You Afford Bail if You Don’t Have the Money Saved Up?

If you are facing criminal charges in Indianapolis, you may be wondering how you can afford bail if you don’t have the money saved up. Bail is typically set by a judge and is based on the severity of the crime, the risk of flight, and the likelihood of re-offending. If you cannot afford bail, there are a few options available to you. For instance, you can ask family or friends to help you raise the bail money. This can be a difficult ask, but it may be your best option if you do not have access to other funds.

If you are unable to borrow money from loved ones, you may be able to obtain a loan from a bail bond company that specializes in such loans. Bail bond companies in Indianapolis typically charge a higher interest rate than banks, but they may be willing to work with you if you have bad credit or no collateral. Many bail bond businesses require that you use your home or other property as collateral for the loan.

As you can see, it’s important to make sure you have the bail money saved up before you or a loved one is arrested. Otherwise, you could end up paying a lot more than you bargained for.

Can You Get Out of Jail If You Can’t Afford to Post Bail?

If you are facing criminal charges, one of the first things that will happen is that a judge will set your bail. Bail is essentially a way for the court to ensure that you will return for your trial; if you can’t afford to post bail, then you will remain in jail until your case is resolved. There are a few ways that you may be able to get out of jail even if you can’t afford to post bail, but it will ultimately be up to the judge to decide.

As mentioned earlier in brief, the judge may allow you to be released on your own recognizance, which means that you promise to return for your trial without having to post any bail. Alternatively, the judge may allow you to sign a property bond, which means that you put up your property as collateral in order to secure your release. If you fail to appear for your trial, then the court can seize your property. As you can see, there are some options available to you if you can’t afford to post bail in Indianapolis, but it is ultimately up to the judge to decide whether or not you will be released from jail.

If I Am Arrested, Should I Contact an Indianapolis Bail Bondsman Right Away?

If you have been arrested and are facing charges, you may be wondering whether or not you should contact a bail bondsman in Indianapolis. The choice is ultimately up to you, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, a bail bonds agent can help you to secure your release from jail by posting bail on your behalf. This can be especially helpful if you do not have the full amount of bail money available. Second, a bail bondsman in Indianapolis will typically charge a fee for their services. This fee is typically a percentage of the total bail amount. Finally, it is important to remember that a bail bond agent is not required to post bail on your behalf. If you decide not to use a bail bondsman, you will be responsible for posting the full amount of bail yourself.

How can you get out of jail fast in Indianapolis? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prearranged arrest warrant bail bond service in Indianapolis and all surrounding counties. We serve all of Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana.

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Bail Bond FAQS for Indiana

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.

Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

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.

Common Questions About Bail Bonds

Going to jail is a stressful and confusing time; not just for the person incarcerated, but for families and loved ones as well. The best way to relieve some of the anxiety of being arrested or surrendering to an arrest warrant is to learn some relevant facts about bail bonds in your state. This will give you some insight on what to expect and how to manage the process, from start to finish.

Continue reading to review some of the most common questions about bail bonds and jail, including how to find a reputable bail bondsman in your county of interest.

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

How Long Does it Take to Set Bail After an Arrest?

Following an arrest, state laws determine when a bail hearing must be scheduled. These time limits vary among states, but here in Indiana, a person can be held for up to 15 days before any bond is set. Usually, bail is set within 24 to 48 hours. Keep in mind that weekends and holidays delay this time, as they are not counted.

What is a Bail Hearing?

After an individual is in detention, a bail hearing is scheduled to decide whether or not they are a flight risk, as well as, set the bail, or deny it altogether if they are considered a flight risk.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Bail?

You do not require a lawyer to simply obtain a release from jail. You want retain legal services once you know you or someone you love is facing criminal charges. It is important to hire a criminal defense lawyer before an initial hearing. This gives an attorney time to study your case and prepare the best defense. A defendant can get out of jail by simply paying or posting their bond.

Can I Just Stay in Jail?

Just because a judge approves and sets your bail doesn’t mean you have to leave jail. If you prefer, you can await your schedule court hearing in detainment rather than posting your bail. Although some people forgo spending the money on a bail bond, either because they do not want to waste money or they simply cannot afford to temporarily put up the full bond amount in cash, it is strongly advised against, and for many reasons. See our blog, “5 Reasons Why You Should Not Stay in Jail While Awaiting Trial” to learn them all.

How Much Does Bail Cost?

Bail bond companies charge a nonrefundable fee that is a set percentage of the total bond amount. For felony charges, bond amounts will be higher, which means the cost of a bail bond will be too. The premium a bail bondsman is allowed to charge is controlled and regulated by the State’s Insurance Department. Currently, this rates are set between 8 and 15 percent. This means that the total allowable premium that bail bond companies are allowed to charge can be anywhere between these percentages. They get to choose how much they charge within this range.

Where Can I Get Fast and Affordable Bail?

Indiana Bail Bonds
Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-745-6500

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional 24 hour bail bond services in Indiana. We 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! Request a free estimate or information, anytime.