When people are arrested, they are physically taken into custody, which means the next step is going to jail until you are processed. Once you arrive at the jail, you will be booked into the jail, which includes recording your personal information, taking your photo and fingerprints, taking all possessions you have on your person, and placing you in a holding cell. Immediately after being arrested, booked, and placed in a cell, the most important thing you’ll want to do is find a way to be released. Depending on what you’re being charged with, you may be able to get out of jail until your trial by paying bail. The charges will also determine what your bail will be. Understanding what type of payment methods you can use and how to post bail is essential for those who are faced with an arrest or for family members of those who have been arrested. Here is everything you’ll need to know about bail bonds Twin Cities.
Bail Hearing
If there isn’t a set bail amount required for the alleged crime, you will have to go before a judge that will determine your bail amount. During the bail hearing, there are several factors the judge will review that will determine the amount of bail required for your release. These factors generally include:
- Your income and assets
- Your criminal history
- The seriousness of the crime
- Your family obligations
- Your community connections
- Whether or not you are a flight risk
- Whether or not you or your crime is a threat to public safety
Posting Bail
It is extremely important that you are aware of the specific rules for the jurisdiction in which you or your family member is being held in custody. Each jurisdiction has its own set of rules on who can be released, how bail is determined, and the procedure for bail payments. When contacting a bail bondsman for bail bonds, you will need to provide specific information, including the defendant’s name, the booking or case number, and the amount of bail required for release.
Bail is generally required to be paid in cash or another form of payment, such as a debit/credit card, money order, or cashier’s check. A bail bond (the surety bond) is a type of bail payment that is provided on behalf of the defendant by a bail bond agent, also known as bondsmen. When using a bail bond agent, you or a family member will pay the agent a fee, the bond agent will then act as a surety by telling the court that they will pay the bond amount in full if you fail to appear in court. Along with the fee, you will also be required to sign a contract with the bail bond agent and you will most likely be required to provide collateral, such as a car or house, which will be repossessed by the bail bond agent, should you not appear in court.
If you are released from custody on bail, the amount of the bail will be repaid to you or the person who paid the bail when your case is concluded. It is important to keep in mind that if there is a property that was used as collateral for the bail, it may take several weeks before the lien is released on the property. If you use a bail bond agent to post your bail, the collateral will be released upon the conclusion of your case, but the bond agent’s fee must be paid and you must have complied with the bond conditions.