Do you have a friend or loved one who needs to be bailed out of jail? Are you unsure how to bond someone out of jail without money? For more information, check out this simple bail bonds jail bailout guide!
Understanding the United States Bail Bond System
Given that most of us are fortunate enough not to have been arrested, you may not be familiar with how bail bonds work. Since you are innocent until proven guilty in the United States, you have the option to be released from jail while awaiting trial. To make sure you show up for court, you must bond out by putting up collateral which is returned to you after your court date.
The amount of bail you need to pay is determined by several factors, including the severity of the crime and any prior criminal history. Other considerations include the defendant's financial resources, whether they pose a threat to the community and how likely they are to flee.
Once the bail amount has been determined, you can pay the whole thing at once if you have the funds. If not you will have to sign over an interest in some property, like a car or real estate, or contact a professional bail guarantor. If you or your loved one does not have a criminal record or pose a risk to the community, you may not need to put down money at all.
You or your attorney can request an own recognizance bond or a signature bond. Either of these will allow you to bond out based on your reputation and do not require any money on your part. If there is a criminal history without violent crimes, the judge may issue a bond requiring you to attend therapy or classes to avoid jail time.
How to Bond Someone out of Jail Without Money
Whether you hire a personal attorney or are represented by a public defender, don't be afraid to take advantage of their resources. Their job is to help you get out of jail as quickly as possible, so you should always talk to them first. Your lawyer can get information that is unavailable to you and your loved ones and may know organizations or people who can help you.
Your lawyer may also be able to give you information on federal or local programs that can help you out. They will also serve as a valuable means of communication between you and your loved ones to help you get bailed out.
If the judge requires bail, you may be wondering how to bond someone out of jail without money — one of the first places that people turn to friends and family. Getting in touch with family to ask for bail money may be awkward and require some explanations, but this can be a good way to get bailed out in an emergency.
One modern method that has become increasingly popular for getting bailed out is online fundraising. Crowdfunding websites like GoFundMe or Kickstarter allow you to gather funds from anyone who has internet access. Even if you don't manage to raise the entire bail amount, every little bit helps get you out of jail.
Churches and other groups are great possibilities for getting bail money. Many religious people believe in helping the less fortunate and raise more money for charity than any other demographic. If you attend church regularly, getting in touch with that community can be a great starting point. If you ask your friends and family to ask at their houses of worship, you can spread any bail costs around and lessen the burden on any one person.
Private Bonds and How They Work
If none of these methods are available to you, you or your loved one will have to seek out a private bond to get out of jail. Before doing so, you should always check whether private bonds are even allowed in your state. As it stands, private bonds are unavailable to residents of Washington DC, Kentucky, Illinois, Maine, Oregon, Nebraska, Wisconsin or Massachusets.
Before you or your family contact a professional bail service, make sure you have all the information they will need to issue a bond. This includes the full name of the person being bonded out, the exact address of the jail they are being held in, the legal charges against them, their booking number and the bail amount.
Once the financial arrangements and you can get instant bail bond approval, the bail bondsman will meet you at the jail and post your bail. You should be aware that if you violate the terms of your agreement with the bondsman or court, any collateral you paid out will belong to the bondsman.
As they are subject to state and federal regulations, you should be able to get a bail bond at a rate that is not ridiculously expensive. If you find a particular company's rate to be unreasonable, don't be afraid to shop around to find the best offer for you. Almost all bail bond companies can be reached at all hours and any day of the week, so make sure to contact them as soon as you can.
A bail bond company will usually require you to put down between ten and fifteen percent of a bond's value to get out of jail. However, this down payment does not necessarily need to be made in cash.
Most companies are happy to take several forms of collateral, including real estate, cars, and jewelry. If you cannot get all the money at once, you may be able to negotiate a payment plan as long as you can cover the company's fees.
If you do not have access to any of these resources, you can also have a friend or loved one co-sign the bond for you. This means that whoever you get to co-sign your bail bond will be held financially responsible if you do not attend court.
The More You Know About Bonds, the Better You'll Be
While few people plan to end up in jail, knowing how to make bail with little or no money is extremely useful. If you want to know more about how to bond someone out of jail without money, check out My Frugal Business today!
