Tag Archives: Indiana bail bondsman

Will I Get My Money Back if I Bail a Friend Out of Jail?

Posted on by

The decision to bail a friend out of jail, especially if they are a loved one, might feel like an easy one. After all, you wouldn’t think twice to help out a close friend in need; right? Well, if you are one of these empathetic people, be very careful. That is because the decision to bail a person out of jail is not as easy as you think. It is a very serious decision, and one that comes with a certain degree risk and liability, and can even have potential consequences for you.

Continue reading to learn how bail works, what risks you are taking on when bailing someone out of jail, and whether or not you get your money refunded for a bail bond.

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

The Basics of Bail and Bail Bonds

Bail bonds are formal documents that allow a release from jail for a person being detained on suspected charges or crimes. Bail is the amount of money or surety set by the courts. These amounts differ for everyone, depending on the severity of crime, criminal history, flight risk, and more. Once bail is set, a bail bond can be obtained so that a person can be temporarily released from jail to await their following court hearing at home.

By now, your friend has contacted you to let you know they’ve been arrested. If you decide to bail them out of jail, you will contact a bail bond company at this point in the process. A bail bondsman, or bail agent, is the individual who operates a service that provides bail bonds for people who need to turn themselves into authorities, or need a release from jail. They operate by lending, or covering, the bail amount for those who cannot afford the entire fee upfront, in exchange for a non-refundable fee. So, whatever money you pay for your friend’s bail, you do not get back.

The Cost of Bail

Bail is set at various amounts depending on a long list of factors. The most influential factor is the type of criminal charge. Indiana has a set bail schedule for all misdemeanors and felonies, but judges can modify these set amounts at their own discretion, based on the factors mentioned before. See our blog, “Local County Bail Bond Schedules for Indianapolis” to learn the current bail amounts.

The cost of a bail bond is derived by a person’s bail amount set by the judge. You see, bail bondsmen charge a certain percentage of the total bail amount. So, if a defendant’s bail is set at $10,000, a bail bondsman will charge a percentage of that amount, which is what you will pay. However, bail bondsmen cannot fully choose their rates; the Department of Insurance regulates how much a bail bond company can charge for their services. Currently, the percentage is set between 10% and 15%, which means a bail bondsman can use personal discretion and charge a client any amount between that range.

Bail Bond Contract

You must sign a bail bond contract to bail your friend out of jail, which strictly binds you to certain legal requirements. 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, as well as, paying the bail bond premium. So if your friend’s bail is set at $10,000, and they do not appear for court, you are legally required to pay all of that back to the bail agent. Furthermore, you would be responsible for tracking down your friend and ensuring they go to court, as well as, paying any fines and related fees for the missed court date.

Where Can I Get Cheap Bail Bonds in Indianapolis?

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to talk to a friendly Indianapolis bail bondsman about getting your friend out of jail in Central Indiana. Right now, we are currently offering an 8% fee for bail bonds! This is the lowest rate in years, and only available here! That means you only pay 8% of your total bond amount, rather than the standard 10 to 15% rates required across the state. In order to qualify for this low rate, you must meet certain criteria. Call 317-876-9600 today to learn if you can qualify for 8% bail bonds in Indiana!

Indiana Bail Bondsman
Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Guaranteed Questions Your Bail Bondsman Will Ask You

Posted on by

Do you need to surrender to an arrest warrant? Was your friend just arrested? If so, you might soon be on the phone with a local bail bondsman. During your initial phone call with a bail bondsman, you can expect to be asked for certain information pertaining to the arrestee. Such questions will vary slightly depending on who the bail bond is for. Continue reading to learn some bail bond questions you are likely to hear.

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

Choose Seasoned Bail Bonds Company

There are certain qualities a bail bondsman should have, and it is important to look for these qualities when searching for an agency to call. A reputable bail bond agency will have the proper certifications from the state, proving they are legally appointed to handle all processes related to the release of a defendant from jail. 

By law, bail agencies are required to be fully licensed in Indiana. A proper bail agency will also be bonded and insured, allowing them to operate successfully and safely.  Having this reassurance is important when choosing a bail bondsman.  Licenses, insurance, and certifications can all contribute to the reliability of a bail bond company. 

Speaking With a Bail Bondsman

During your initial phone call with a bail bondsman, you can expect to be asked for certain information pertaining to the arrestee. Such questions will vary slightly depending on who the bail bond is for. Common questions you are likely to hear include:

➤ Where is the arrestee being detained?

➤ How long has the arrestee been held?

➤ On what charges are they being held?

➤ How long have they lived in their current residence?

➤ What is their employment information?

This consultation allows the bail agent to assess the risk involved in the bail bond. If the person requesting a bail bond decides to go through with the bail process, they will be asked to complete and sign official documents, such as a bail indemnity agreement,
bail bond application, and a receipt.

Getting Out of Jail

Most bail bond companies in Indiana can process this paperwork by fax or email, which reduces the timeline of the bail process. Also, come bail companies will actually dispatch a bail agent to the client. Once the bail bond paperwork is complete, signed, and finalized, the bail process can move forward.  This involves a licensed bail agent “posting” bail at the jail where the defendant is being held.  This will result in the release of the defendant.

A professional and experienced bail bond company can complete the entire bail bond process in less than three hours. For arrests involving alcohol or narcotics, the bail bond process cannot even begin until the facility or jail has determined the defendant sober. This is usually a 7-9 hour wait.  Then the bail process can begin.

You will also have the opportunity to ask your bail bondsman some questions. See our blog, “Type of Questions to Ask Your Bail Bondsman” to learn which ones you should not forget.

24 Hour Indiana Bail Bond Services You Can Trust

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional 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.

Bail Bond FAQS for Indiana

Posted on by

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.

What Do Bail Bond Companies Accept As Collateral?

Posted on by

There are various ways you can pay for a bail bond, and one of those options is an alternative to cash. Many bail bondsmen accept collateral in place of cash for those who do not have the immediate funds to cover the non-refundable bail bond fee. If you are in the same position, and require a bail bond for yourself or a loved one, you have the option of putting up collateral as well, so long as you retain the types of collateral accepted by such agencies.

Continue reading to learn more about collateral and bail bonds, including what types of collateral are generally accepted by bail bond agents.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

What is Collateral?

In the indemnity industry, collateral is an alternative or addition to paying cash for a bail bond. Rather than paying cash for a bail bond, a client can offer collateral in place of cash, or in addition to cash, to secure a release from jail. Essentially, it is a type of credit or loan since you will receive the collateral back in full so long as you adhere to all court orders, including showing up to your hearing on time. This arrangement also ensures the bail bondsman that you will show up for court. Overall, collateral is something of value that is used as a form of short term debt security and payment assurance.

Bail Collateral

There are numerous forms of collateral a client can offer in place of, or in addition to, cash. Most types of collateral are significant, tangible assets, such as real estate and motorized commodities. However, there are some unexpected forms of collateral that are usually accepted by most bail bond companies. These include:

    ▣ Real Estate
    ▣ Vehicles
    ▣ Boats/Yachts
    ▣ Watercrafts
    ▣ Bank Accounts
    ▣ Stocks
    ▣ Investment Bonds
    ▣ Jewelry
    ▣ Personal Credit
    ▣ Credit Cards
    ▣ Promissory Notes (Rare)
    ▣ High Value “Pawnable” Items

Can’t Pay for a Bail Bond?

If you are having trouble finding ways to pay for a bail bond, whether you need to surrender to an arrest warrant or bail a loved one out of jail, there are other ways. See our blog, “How to Find Money for Bail” for ideas that can help raise funds quickly for a bail bond. In the meantime, discuss your concerns with a trusted Indiana bail bondsman who cares about your security and comfort. This bail bondsman is James Woods, and his agency offers this type of compassionate and personalized bail assistance.

Contact James Woods Today!

Indiana Bail Bonds

Danville Bail Bonds 317-745-6500

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional Indianapolis bail bond services, information, and advice you can trust. 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.