Understanding Felony Bail Bonds in the Hoosier State

Posted on December 28, 2023 by admin

In the Hoosier state, the concept of felony bail bonds is both essential and complex. Navigating the legal labyrinth is seldom easy, especially when it involves a felony charge. A felony conviction comes with severe penalties – but what if you could avoid a significant portion of the hardship? This is where understanding felony bail bonds and the role of a bail bondsman becomes crucial. With professional help, you can secure your release from jail, maintain your job, and build a robust defense against your charges. However, it’s important to note that not all felonies qualify for bail.

In this blog post, we delve into the details of felony bail bonds, bail bondsman services, bail bond prices, and the relevant laws in Indiana. Join us as we unravel the complexities of the bail bond process.

Call 317-876-9600 for Felony Bail Bonds in Indianapolis Indiana

The Penalties of a Felony Conviction

Let’s first understand the gravity of a felony conviction. A felony charge is a serious criminal offense that can lead to imprisonment for more than one year, and in some cases, even death. Furthermore, it comes with severe consequences such as hefty fines, loss of civil liberties (including voting rights), and difficulty finding employment and housing. The severity of these penalties depends on the nature of the felony and the defendant’s criminal history. However, one way to mitigate these consequences is by getting out on bail.

The Importance of Hiring a Bail Bondsman

After a felony arrest, the court sets a bail amount that must be paid for pre-trial release. This can be an overwhelming sum for most individuals, especially if they do not have the necessary resources readily available. This is where a bail bondsman comes in – by paying a fraction of the total bond amount, typically 10% to 15%, they act as a surety for the defendant’s release. In addition to providing financial assistance, a bail bond agent also helps navigate the legal process and to meet all court requirements. Furthermore, they can provide valuable guidance and support as you prepare for your defense.

Benefits of Being Out on Bond

Being out on bond has several advantages, especially when it comes to preparing for a strong defense against felony charges. It gives the defendant ample time to gather evidence, consult with legal counsel, and build a solid case. Furthermore, being out on bail allows individuals to maintain their jobs and take care of family and personal responsibilities. This can significantly reduce the disruption caused by an arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

Felonies that Do Not Qualify for Bond

While most felonies qualify for bail, some charges are deemed too severe to warrant release on bond. These include capital offenses such as murder, treason, and kidnapping. Additionally, repeat offenders or those considered a flight risk may also be denied bond. It’s crucial to consult with a bail bondsman or an attorney to understand if your charges qualify for bail.

Understanding Bail Bond Prices

As mentioned earlier, a bail bondsman typically charges 10% to 15% of the total bond amount as their fee. However, this can vary depending on the individual’s criminal history, flight risk, and the type of charges. It’s essential to discuss all terms and conditions with the bail bondsman before entering into a bail bond agreement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding felony bail bonds is crucial for navigating the legal process in Indiana. By hiring a reputable bail bondsman, you can secure your release from jail, maintain your job and personal responsibilities, and prepare a strong defense against your charges. However, it’s essential to remember that not all felonies qualify for bond, and the bail bond prices can vary. It’s always advisable to seek expert assistance to ensure a smooth and successful release from jail.

We hope this blog post has shed some light on the complexities of felony bail bonds in the Hoosier state. If you need to get someone out of jail, we can help right this very minute. Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana you can trust. We also offer prearranged bail bond service for arrest warrants and probation violations.

Which Type of Bail Bond Do You Need For Indiana Criminal Charges?

Posted on September 9, 2022 by admin

There are four common types of bail bonds used in the criminal court system, however, these bond options can differ slightly among jurisdictions. Which bail bond do you require for your Indiana criminal charges or arrest warrant? The answer depends primarily on your personal preferences, but also, your economic condition.

Continue reading to learn more about cash, surety, federal, and immigration bonds, plus how to quickly obtain a bail bond in Marion County, Indianapolis.

Bail Bonds Marion County Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

The 4 Most Common Types of Bail Bonds

The four most common bail bonds used to obtain a person’s release from jail are surety bonds, cash bonds, federal bonds, and immigration bonds. Each type of bond has a different method of releasing a person from jail.

Cash Bonds

A cash bond is used in a situation when a defendant, friend, or family member requests to simply pay cash for their bail. Once the defendant completes the required probationary terms of their arrest, and shows up to all their court hearings, the money is returned in whole. This is not a recommended option because bail is usually thousands of dollars. This type of cash can be saved for more important or immediate needs, rather than using it to obtain a release from jail. This type of bond has been a popular choice for elite persons, celebrities, professional athletes, and other exclusive groups.

Surety Bonds

Surety bonds are another popular choice when it comes to obtaining a release from jail following an arrest. Surety bonds work like this: once a person is arrested and taken into custody, another person or themselves can contact a professional indemnitor, such as a bail bondsman, to assist in the bail process.

These types of bail bonds usually include some form of collateral for the required bail amount. This is because the person being released on bail will most likely have ongoing court stipulations, such as drug testing and counseling, that must be completed, or the indemnitor takes on the responsibility of the entire bail amount.

So, the personal signing for the bail bond will most likely have to pay a non-refundable fee (a percentage of the full bail amount) as the collateral. This form of bail bond is most popular among the general population.

Federal Bonds

These bonds are not as common as the ones mentioned above. This is because they are only used in the case of a federal crime. Crimes such as these include embezzlement, tax evasion, kidnapping, bank robbery, aircraft hi-jacking, counterfeiting, and more. These bonds, for good reason, are more expensive than the other common forms of bail bonds. Using a reputable and experienced bail bondsman for federal bonds is very beneficial and can make a big difference in a person’s bonding process.

Immigration Bonds

Immigration bonds sound self-explanatory. They are a little more complicated than the average person would think. They are extremely complicated because they are for crimes that involve foreign nationals and non-us citizens. They are expensive, just like federal bonds, because they require a bail bondsman to take on a great deal of risk. For examples, a person that is a citizen of Canada can commit a crime in the United States, then flee back to Canada once out on bail, leaving the bail bond agency responsible for the full bond (which can range from thousands to millions of dollars) because the defendant is not here to serve for their crimes.

Bail bonds can be quite confusing, most understandable, which is why it is highly recommended to consult a professional and licensed Indianapolis bail bondsman in Marion County to give you accurate information on bail bonds and how they are used in the legal industry.

Are you ready to surrender to an arrest warrant in Indy but not sure who to trust for fast and friendly prearranged bail bond service? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for speedy and secure bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer prearranged bail bond service for arrest warrants and probation violations, too.

Can You Get Bailed Out of Jail on a Parole Hold?

Posted on October 10, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Depending on several factors (type of crime, criminal history, time served, etc.), a prison inmate may be granted an early release from a correctional facility, but only on a strict and conditional basis. This conditional early release program is called “parole”, and individuals on parole are referred to as “parolees.” Every parolee is assigned a supervisor called a parole officer, who monitors the prisoner during the extent of their parole plan and makes sure they obey all conditions. Although they are out of jail, parolees are not entirely
free until they lawfully complete their parole.

Violating Conditions of Parole

If a parolee disobeys any of their parole conditions, they are in violation of their parole and subject to penalization, namely detention. If a parole officer has reasonable belief that a parolee violated a condition of their parole plan, and is likely to flee, endanger themselves, or endanger others, they can impose something called a “parole hold.” A parole hold is a legal authorization to detain (arrest) a parolee who is in violation of their parole. Parole holds are governed by federal and state laws, but they vary from state to state. Parole officers do not require an arrest warrant to bring a parolee into custody, however, inmates must be informed of the reasons for their hold within seven days of their detention.

Parole Holds

While on a parole hold, inmates may or may not be allowed to post bail. In rare cases, a judge will allow a person to post bail while on a parole hold. But in most cases, bail is denied if an inmate is suspected to be a flight-risk or a danger to themselves and/or others. So inmates must remain in the county jail and await their parole revocation hearing. This hearing usually takes place within a couple of days, depending on the level of traffic in the court. During a revocation hearing, evidence is presented to prove that an inmate violated the conditions of their parole, and then a judge determines whether or not an inmate should return to prison, and if so, for how long.

Conditions of parole vary from person to person, but common conditions generally include:

➩ Must not commit any crimes.
➩ Cannot have contact with known felons.
➩ Must remain in the city or state.
➩ Must maintain suitable employment.
➩ Must show up on-time for all parole meetings and hearings.
➩ Must refrain from drug use and alcohol consumption.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, is happy to help you or a loved one get out of jail in Marion County any time of day or night. We offer a wide range of bail bonds, including probation violation bonds, parole violation bonds, immigration bonds, statements, federal bonds, and much more. Call 317-876-9600 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis bail bonds, today.

How Does Woods Bail Bonds Get You Out of Jail?

Posted on August 4, 2016 by admin

One of the most common questions a bail bond company hears has to do with the bail bond process. And this is a great question because it is important to understand the methods and responsibilities of everyone involved. A person, whether bailing themselves or a loved one out of jail, has a few options to choose from.

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Federal Bonds

These bonds originate in federal district court and used for defendants accused of federal crimes. Federal bonds are usually more expensive than other crimes, so having a good bail bondsman can make a huge difference and can potentially save you a lot of money. Just be sure to choose a bail bond company that has experience working with federal courts, like Woods Bail Bonds.

Cash Bonds

Defendants also have the option of paying cash for their bond, but this not always a smart move. Surrendering a large amount of money can be hasty since defendants will need cash to survive the legal process. Instead of paying the full bond amount in cash, a defendant can use that money for more important or immediate purposes, such as rent, groceries, daycare, and fuel. Cash bonds cannot be posted by a bail agent. Cash bonds
are returned after court costs and fees are deducted.

Surety Bonds

The alternative to posting a bond in cash is to use a surety bond, which is also known as a bail bond. This process involves a contractual undertaking, guaranteed by an admitted insurance company that retains adequate assets to satisfy the face value of a person’s bond (also known as a bail bond agency).

What We Do

Woods Bail Bonds guarantees to the court that they will pay the bond forfeiture if a defendant fails to appear for the designated court appearances. Woods Bail Bonds guarantee is made through a surety company such as the Universal Fire & Casualty Insurance Company. For this service, a defendant is charged a premium. To be released by posting a bail bond, the defendant (or a relative or a friend on their behalf) will contact an agency licensed by the State of Indiana to post bail bonds. Before a bond is posted, we will interview the proposed guarantor of the bail bond, as well as the defendant and relatives of the defendant, as part of the approval procedure for the bond.

By involving family and friends, as well through the acceptance of collateral, Woods Bail Bonds can be assured the defendant being released on a bail bond will appear at a defendant’s designated court date, as required, until the case is completed. Once an agreement is made, we will complete the application and post the bail bond for the full amount of the bail to guarantee the defendant’s return to court.

After You are Released

Once a defendant is released on a bail bond posted by Woods Bail Bonds, they will meet with an agent to be interviewed and learn the terms and conditions of their bail. At Woods Bail Bonds, we strive to make this process as simple and comfortable as possible. All we ask is for defendants to communicate and be courteous. We offer the comfort of not being in jail while your case is adjudicated.

24 Hour Bail Bonds in Indiana

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, James Woods, and his team of licensed bail bondsmen, work around the clock, to help get you or a loved one out of jail fast. We offer free jail information, jail pickup and drop off services, inmate searches, arrest warrant help, prearranged bail, and much more, Call us anytime at 317-876-9600 to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable Indianapolis bail bondsman for help.

Who Can You Trust to Bail You Out of Jail?

Posted on September 15, 2015 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Being arrested is a frustrating and scary situation, and for good reason. No one should think getting in trouble with the law is fun. It can be emotional thinking about how you are going to get out of jail, when you will get out, how long you will be in jail, and what people are going to say about your arrest. There are probably very many things going through your head when you are sitting in the jail cell. Continue reading and learn some valuable advice about who you can turn to when you need to get bailed out of jail.

Family

The first and most often used option is to make a call to home. Whether it’s your parents, husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend, calling home is the first recommended plan of action. Usually, family is the number one source of trust when it comes to legal issues. Family can be the support group you need to get yourself out of a bad situation. Because of their relation, it is easy for them to call a bail bondsman and facilitate a release from jail for you. All you have to do is sit and wait for the paperwork to go through.

Friends

When family isn’t available, or even an option, friends are the next best support group to call when arrested. Friends can sometimes relate to these similar troubles and can help without passing judgment. As long as they have the funds to pay the bail agency and are willing to co-sign for your release, they can facilitate your release from jail as well. If you fail to appear for your court dates and fail to complete your legal obligations, the bail agency can come after the co-signer for the remainder of the bond amount. This amount is usually in the thousands.

A Bail Bondsman

When all else fails, or when you don’t have anyone’s phone number when you need it most, call on your local bail agency to facilitate your release from jail. They are professionals in the industry and can help you gain your own release by filing the paperwork and collecting your funds themselves. A bail agency usually charges 10-15% of the original bond amount. If your bond amount is $2500, then the bail bondsman will charge you at least $250 to get bailed out of jail.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bond services in Indiana. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, provides bail bond services for nearly all cities and counties in Indiana. We offer several types of bail bonds and additional services, including federal bonds, state bonds, immigration bonds, probation violation bonds, arrest warrant bonds, notary services, jail pickup and drop off, and much more. Call 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding areas.

A Brief Overview of Bail Bonds and Bail Bondsmen

Posted on September 9, 2015 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

The term, bail bonds, may be relatively familiar to you if you watch a lot of cop shows, but there is much more to the bail bond industry than what you see on television. There are no bounty hunters or border chases, but there are many privileges bail bonds has to offer the citizens of our beloved country. Whether you need to perform a background scan, look up an inmate, check for active arrest warrants, get out of jail, or require a certified notary, a bail bondsman can provide safe and secure services at industry-controlled prices.

Continue reading for a brief overview of the bail bonds industry and the professionals who run it.

Bail Bonds

A bail bond is a formal legal document that provides bail in order to get a person (defendant) released from jail. A bail bondsman is a person, or company, that acts as a surety for the bail, and pledges money to the courts in exchange for a defendants release from jail. This money is then returned to the bail bondsman once the defendant completes all of their court-related obligations, such as hearings, trials, probation, and more.

If the defendant fails to appear for court or violates their court orders or bail bond agreement, the bail bondsman is forced to forfeit the money they pledged until they can locate the defendant and return them to the court to face their charges. In this case, the person who co-signed for the bail bond (generally a friend or family member) will be responsible to pay the bail bondsman the full bond amount they initially pledged for the defendant’s release from jail. It is all a bit complicated because bail agreements may vary just as every case varies as well. It is best to discuss these details with your local licensed Indianapolis bail bondsman.

Cost of Bail

Bail bonds are price-controlled by the state and vary according to local ordinances. The general price cap for bail bonds in most states is ten to fifteen percent of the full bond amount. For example, if a defendant’s bond is set at $5,000 and the state allows a 15% bail bond service fee, a bail bond would cost the co-signer or defendant $750. This, by the way, is non-refundable and must be paid in cash, debit, or cashiers’ check. In some states, there is an automatic 5% added on for local taxes, relief initiatives, and more.

Bail Bond Process

Anyone can sign for a person’s bail bond, so long as they are an adult, legal U.S. citizen, and has valid identification. The person who chooses to assist in bailing a person out of jail is usually a friend or family member, but sometimes a co-worker, lover, lawyer, or other willing and able adult. They must sign the bail bond company’s contract that obligates them to pay the entire bond amount to the bail bondsman if the defendant violates their court orders in any way. This is why it is a very big deal to co-sign for a person’s bail. You must know them well and trust them before agreeing to pay back thousands of dollars if they violate. Once the paperwork and agreements are signed and payment is collected, the bail bondsman can then go claim the defendant and get them out of jail. So long as they are sober and processed into the jail’s system, they are free to go on bail.

Who to Call for Safe and Secure Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Indianapolis and any of its surrounding cities, and counties. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, retains a highly skilled and friendly staff of licensed, bonded, and insured bail bondsmen that provide safe 24 hour bail bond services for all Indiana counties and cities. We also offer notary services, inmate lookup, jail pickup and drop-off, federal bonds, state and county bonds, probation violation bonds, arrest warrant bonds, prearranged bail bonds, and much more. Call 317-876-9600 today for free jail address information, inmate searches, bail bond information, and more in Indianapolis, IN.

Can a Person Be Denied Bail?

Posted on May 19, 2015 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bail offers defendants a wide range of advantages, from job security to avoiding jail time. But not everyone has the legal right to bail. In some cases, a judge or prosecutor might deny a defendant bail rights for several reasons. No one can control whether or not this privilege is denied or granted; it is solely up to the courts and judges, and largely depends on a defendant’s personal circumstances. To understand what this means, continue reading and learn the common factors that influence a defendant’s chances of being granted or denied bail privileges after being arrested and detained.

Illegal Citizenship

A person might be denied bail after an arrest if they are in the country illegally, an illegal citizen, or have an expired visa. This is out of concern that they may flee back to their home country to evade legal convictions, or be let loose on the streets with no intention or seek legal citizenship for themselves. Also, in other areas of the country, Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) can hold an illegal citizen and deport them back to their country of origin following an arrest.

Failure to Appear in Court

Defendants that are either repeat offenders or retain a reputation for skipping out on scheduled court dates are most likely going to be denied bail rights. For repeat offenders with extensive criminal histories, whether petty or felonies) can be denied bail to teach them a lesson and thwart them from future criminal behaviors; but they might also be granted bail, but at an impossible-to-pay amount. This is intended to keep the defendant in custody without denying them bail. For those who have several FTA’s (failure to appear) on their record, courts will revoke bail rights to ensure they are present for their scheduled court hearing.

Probation or Parole Violations

If a person is arrested, or released from prison, they are generally on temporary probation or parole to promote legal behavior following a conviction. There are specific rules and laws that a defendant must follow to not violate any of their probation or parole terms. If they do, they are immediately issued an arrest warrant and taken into custody. One of the terms of probation or parole is to not commit anymore crimes or be in the presence of crime or other criminals. If a person is arrested while on parole or probation, they will most likely be denied the right to bail. Courts and judges will deny a defendant bail rights under these circumstances in order to prevent them from involving themselves in more criminal activity.

Capital Crimes

Capital crimes are those that are punishable by capital penalties, which is death. If someone is arrested for a crime that calls for the death penalty, they will not be given an opportunity for bail. This is for obvious reasons, but mainly to prevent defendants from fleeing the country or committing more dangerous capital crimes.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for fast and friendly bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, James Woods, has decades of experience in the bail bonds industry and provides his services all throughout the state of Indiana! We offer probation violation bonds, immigration bonds, federal bonds, state bonds, county bonds, notary services, jail pickup and drop off services, 24 bail bonds, and much more! Call 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Indianapolis or any of its surrounding counties.

Is a Bail Bondsman a Bounty Hunter?

Posted on January 19, 2015 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Many people watch the television shows, read the comic books, and see the movies about bounty hunters and their daring chronicles. It makes many of us question the veracity of these story lines, and whether or not bounty hunters truly exist in real life; while many others are under the impression that bounty hunters and bail bondsmen are the same thing. When a person is arrested, they are taken to the local county jail and given a chance to post bond using the services provided by a bail bondsman.

Is this bail bond agent also a bounty hunter? Are bounty hunters even real? Continue reading to learn the truth behind the stories and myths about bail bondsmen and bounty hunters, and who to ask for additional information regarding the topic.

Bounty Hunters

A bounty hunter is also called a fugitive recovery agent, skip tracer, and bail recovery agent. They are not bail bondsmen, as they do not provide bonds for people in jail. Bounty hunters are rare, and often “free-lance” workers that are typically hired in high-profile cases to investigate the whereabouts of a criminal or dangerous person on the run from the law. The reason why bounty hunters are confused for bail bondsmen, and vice verse, is due to the fact that bail bond companies will sometimes hire a bounty hunter to track down a fugitive that has been released on bail. They do this for high-profile cases in which the bond amounts are thousands of dollars or more, or if the fugitive is labeled extremely dangerous and likely to harm someone or commit a serious crime.

For example, if a bail bondsman provides their services for a person with a felony charge with a bond total of $100,000, and then the criminal skips their court hearings and goes on the run after being released from jail, the bail bond agent loses all that money they paid to the court in order to release said defendant on bond. This is where a bounty hunter is outsourced, so that a bail bond company can return the fugitive to jail and receive their money back. However, in most counties and states, bounty hunting is an illegal enterprise.

Bail Bondsmen

A bail bond agent is either the person you call after being arrested, or the person you call if you need to turn yourself in for an arrest warrant. They can also provide additional services like notaries, inmate lookups, and more. They will pay the total bond amount for a non-refundable service fee so that you can be processed and released from jail to await your court hearing at home. Depending on the crime and charges, bond amounts will differ. In most states, bail bondsmen are allowed to charge anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of a person’s total bond amount.

If a person was arrested for an OWI and has a bond amount of 5,000 dollars, then the service fee will cost them anywhere from 500 to 750 dollars. The fee is non-refundable, and the bail bond agent gets their five thousand dollars back when the defendant show up for all their scheduled court hearings. If a person skips their mandatory court date, they are listed as a fugitive of the law and a warrant is issued for their immediate arrest. This is also an example of when bail bond agent can then hire a bounty hunter to track a person down so they can get their five thousand dollars back from the courthouse. A person that has skipped bond is not likely to qualify for bail bond services again.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Call James Woods, owner and operator of Woods Bail Bonds, at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional Indianapolis bail bond services you can trust. He and our team are licensed, bonded, and insured bail agents with decades of experience in the underwriter services industry. We offer immigration bonds, federal bonds, property bonds, probation violation bonds, arrest warrant bonds, emergency bonds, discreet bail bond services, notary services, and so much more. We have an outstanding record and long-term relationships with the local jails and courthouses all throughout Indianapolis and its outer counties. Call 317-876-9600 for information about bail bonds in Indianapolis, IN and get a friend out of jail or arrange your own release for a warrant.