What is a Citation Release?

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

There are many forms of pretrial detention and release, the most common being arrest and bail. But many states allow for an easier and more efficient means of penalization that eliminates the need for custodial arrests, detainment, and bail bonds. This alternative is called a citation release, and offers a beneficial compromise between the law and the offender. Continue reading to learn more about citations and how they work.

Citation in Lieu of Jail

A citation is a written order (ticket) that is given in lieu of a custodial arrest and pretrial detention. They are issued for low-level crimes, such as non-violent misdemeanors and traffic offenses. Once a person is issued a citation, or “ticket”, they are required by law to follow up accordingly. Depending on the offense, this could include appearing at a scheduled court hearing, meeting at a designated governmental office, paying a fee, taking a class, community service, or a combination of them.

Virtually all states allow citations, but not all. And the crimes eligible for citations differ among them. For instance, Indiana only allows citation releases for traffic offenses, while Colorado allows them for many misdemeanors with the exception of violent crimes. In another example, Maryland allows citations to be issued for crimes that are not punishable by imprisonment, misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days in jail, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. This means some citations are arrests, and some are not.

• 19 states permit citations after arrest
• 9 states permit citations before arrest
• 10 states permit citations before and after arrest
• 2 states permit citations for some felonies (Louisiana and Oregon)
• 7 states do not specify which crimes an officer has discretion to issue citations for
• 10 states have laws that create a presumption that citations can be issues for some crimes under certain circumstances

When is a Citation Prohibited?

There are two common factors that typically prohibits law enforcement to issue a citation under state law:

1) The offender refuses to sign a written promise to appear before a judge.

2) The offender does not have (or refuses to provide) valid identification, or valid identification cannot be verified. This includes finger-printing.

Its Benefits

Citation release is a beneficial policy for many states because it helps manage jai populations, keeping them as low as possible. Not only do they lower jail populations, they also deliver local cost savings too. And for offenders, it is a much better trade-off than sitting in jail for hours and then posting bond. But for those who get arrested and not cited, they will need a bail bondsman to get out of jail.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds Marion County Indiana

Woods Bail Bonds Marion County Indiana 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner James Woods, and his team of licensed, bonded, and insured bail bondsmen, can get you or a loved one out of any Indiana jail, including Marion County Jail, Hamilton County Jail, and more! And since we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, we are always there for you! Call 317-876-9600 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis bail bonds, today.