How to Respond to a Bench Warrant

Posted on March 13, 2017 by bailbondshamiltoncounty

Noblesville Bail Bondsman 317-919-2489

Although bench warrants are a form of arrest warrant, they do not necessarily mean you will go to jail. But it will mean you will need to visit the jail, arrange your bail, pay your bail, and then see the judge to finish whatever courtroom business you have left incomplete. They command a person’s presence on the judge’s bench, mostly for failure to appear for court (FTAs), but also for things like witness testimony, traffic tickets, child support, and other minor infractions.

Bench warrants are treated just like arrest warrants, so they give law enforcement the authorization to take a person into custody at any time, without warning, if they do not surrender on their own. You see, if there is a bench warrant out for your arrest, your name is flagged in the police database. So even if you are involved in a minor car accident that was not your fault, the officer will see your flagged name and take you into custody on
the spot. This is a guarantee.

Never Ignore a Bench Warrant

Bench warrants are still serious matters, and unrelentingly mandatory. Failing to respond to a bench warrant can lead to an arrest warrant, and subsequently, to criminal charges. If you have received a bench warrant request, whether mailed to you or served in person, it is vital that you obey. You future and your freedom depends on the choices you make when facing a bench warrant. Continue reading to learn exactly what you should do if you are called to the judges stand with a bench warrant.

Step One

As soon as you are aware of your bench warrant, you must take action the same day or the following morning. Do not hesitate or you could face serious legal penalties. Your first step is to contact a licensed criminal defense attorney if you do not already have one. They can give you instructions on what to do next, and manage the negotiations with the prosecution in order to avoid the maximum penalties for your charges.

Step Two

You will need to surrender yourself to the county jail your bench warrant is assigned to. But before you do this, you will need to prearrange your bail to speed up the process. Otherwise, you could face a few hours sitting in jail, rather than just walking in and walking out. Several local bail bond companies offer prearranged bail bond services. Simply contact a bail bondsman in the county of arrest, and they will instruct you on how to move forward with their services. Some agents even offer free jail pickup and drop-off services to and from their office.

Step Three

After paying the bail bondsman, they will post your bond in the jail. You will simply walk into the jail, be taken into the processing center for booking, and then released once your Noblesville bail bondsman finishes paying your bond premium. Keep in mind you will be in a legally-binding contract if you use bail bond services. This shouldn’t be a problem unless you plan to skip your court date, commit more crimes, or flee the state.

Hamilton County Bail Bonds

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

Call Uptown Bail Bonds at 317-919-2489 to prearrange bail bonds in Hamilton County, Indiana. Our licensed and insured bail bondsmen will get you in and out of jail for a bench warrant in as little as a few hours! Call 317-919-2489 to learn how to get started, today. We are open 24 hours and 7 days a week!

The Consequences of Jumping Bail

Posted on August 18, 2016 by bailbondshamiltoncounty

Obtaining a release from jail by means of a bail bond is an effort that is worth the outcome. But when a bail bond company bails a person out of jail, there are several strings attached. And these strings are very strict and mandatory under law. One of the most important responsibilities of a defendant is to show up, on time, for all scheduled court hearings. After being bailed out of jail, if a defendant fails to appear (FTA) for a court date, they are committing a crime called “bail jumping”, which comes with a separate set of penalties all on its own.

If a defendant chooses to disobey this condition, as well as any other the terms and conditions of their bail, they will face a list of legal ramifications and penalties, including fines, fees, court hearings, and even possible jail time. If you or someone you love is prepared to skip their upcoming court hearing, then be aware that this will instantly revoke their bail (or yours) and set them (or you) on a very difficult and detrimental path. Continue reading to learn the consequences for jumping bail, and perhaps save yourself or your loved one from a future of legal troubles.

Bail Jumping is a Crime

When a person fails to appear for a scheduled court date after being bailed out of jail, they are jumping bail, which is a crime. They will instantly forfeit their bond and a bench warrant will be issued for their re-arrest. If a person fails to appear for court as a result of circumstances beyond their control, and they can provide tangible evidence to support this, it is possible for the courts to set aside their bail bond forfeiture.

But this is rare. That’s because in order to convict a person of bail jumping, prosecution need only provide proof that the defendant knowingly and intentionally failed to appear for court. And they do this easily with the very documents a defendant signed as they were released on bail, including the bail agreement that specifically states the date of their court hearing, as well as, the multiple notices sent to the home address they provided at the time they signed the bail agreement.

Consequences

If charged with bail jumping, a defendant can expect:

Additional Criminal Charges
Money/Property Forfeiture
Revoked Bail
Bench Warrant
Turning Themselves in to Police
Fines
Court Costs and Attorney Fees

Murello’s Uptown Bail Bonds

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

Call Uptown Bail Bonds at 317-919-2489 to get out of jail in Hamilton County, Indiana. We are licensed, bonded, and insured bail bondsmen that provide a wide range of fast and friendly Noblesville bail bonds for anyone in the Hamilton County Jail. From probation violations and misdemeanors, to arrest warrants, felonies, and more, we can get you out of jail for most offenses! Call 317-919-2489 for 24 hour bail bonds in Noblesville, IN today.

Discounted Bail Bonds are Not a Real Thing

Posted on March 21, 2016 by bailbondshamiltoncounty

Bail bondsmen that have been in the industry for some time have probably received numerous phone calls about discounted bail bonds. This is because there are several immoral, fly-by-the-night, bail bond companies that will occasionally advertise false bail bond prices. Don’t become of a victim by falling prey to false advertising like this. Continue reading to learn what these false advertisements generally offer, and which bail bond prices to trust.

5 Percent Bail Bonds are Fake

The most common false advertisement for bail bonds is a 5% rate. This means an unethical “bail bondsman” will offer bail bonds at five percent a defendant’s total bond amount. Not only is this unethical, it is illegal and untrue. The government regulates how much a bail bond agency can charge for their services. Companies are legally obligated to obey these price limitations and allowances. The percentage differs from state to state, but all states have regulated bail bond prices. In all states, bail bond companies are allowed to charge between 10% and 15% of a defendants total bond amount. Here is an example:

If Joey is arrested for a DUI and the court sets a $5,000 bond for his release from jail to await trial, a bail bondsman can legally charge anywhere between $500 and $750.

A bail bond agency will charge between the two above-mentioned percentages depending on liability and personal preference. If a person has been arrested multiple times and has failed to appear for court in the past, a bail bondsman might decide to charge higher on the percentage spectrum, or simply deny service altogether.

Never trust a bail bond company that is claiming to charge anything less than the state-mandatory percentages for bail bonds. Discount bail bonds, “cheap” bail bonds, and price-cuts for bail bonds are not real. Not only do they not exist, they are illegal and unethical. If you come across a company advertising these lies, simply move on to the next reliable bail bond agency.

Murello’s Uptown Bail Bonds

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

For 24 hour bail bonds in Hamilton County, call Uptown Bail Bonds at 317-919-2489 any time. We are licensed bail bondsmen with decades of experience in the industry. We offer safe and secure releases from the Hamilton County Jail, as well as, a long list of additional bail bond services and conveniences, including jail pickup and drop off. Our friendly bail bond agents are happy to answer your questions about bail, bonds, jail, and more. Just call 317-919-2489 and speak with a licensed Hamilton County bail bondsman in Noblesville, IN today.