If you are ever faced with a legal situation that requires you to bail a friend or yourself from jail, it is important to have a basic understanding of what to expect. Bailing a friend or loved one out of jail can be frustrating and stressful if you are not prepared.
So, before making that call to your local bail agent to turn yourself in on an outstanding arrest warrant, check out these frequently asked questions about bail bonds. It will help you turn yourself in, or get someone else out of jail more efficiently.
How Much Does a Bail Bond Cost in Indiana?
This is one of the first questions a person asks when they need bail services. This fact is not surprising, considering it is a huge influence on whether or not bail is an option for someone. Currently in the state of Indiana, bail bond agencies are allowed to charge 10 to 15 percent of the total bond amount assigned by the court to the defendant. If a person were arrested on a minor drug possession charge, their bond could be set at around 5,000 dollars. This is just an example and not accurate. Bail bond rates are calculated by examining a person’s criminal history, flight risk, and other variables. It is different for everyone.
Hypothetically, if a person’s bond were five thousand dollars, a bail agent charging ten percent would require a fee of 500 dollars. This 10% or 15 % fee is not refundable, but it allows a person to get out of jail before their scheduled court hearing without having to pay the entire $5,000 fine. If they fail to appear for court, they forfeit the rest of the bond amount and a warrant is issued for their arrest. At that point, they are a repeat offender and may have trouble gaining bail for a second time. This leads into the next question.
Can and Will a Bail Bondsmen Refuse Service to Someone?
The answer to this dual question is yes, both ways. Bail bond agents are a separate business, and can refuse their services to anyone, just as any other privately owned business can. The reason a bail bond company may refuse service to a person is mostly based on their likelihood to flee and not appear for their scheduled court hearings. On top of that, they take into consideration past criminal records and charges, just as the court does when they set a bond amount. If a person seems like a risky client, they will refuse service in order to protect themselves.
Are Bail Bondsmen Bounty Hunters?
No, bail bond agents are not bounty hunters, especially like the ones depicted on television. Bail bond agents are a legal service company that provides helpful assistance to people in need of bail. Bounty hunters are persons who work on their own volition to seek out fugitives and hand them over to the police. In some cases, a bail bondsman can hire a bounty hunter if one of their clients skips out on a court date.
How Do I Use a Bail Bond?
To get a release from jail using a bail bond, all you have to do is contact a local bail bonds company near the jail. They will provide you with all the information and guidance you need to decide. You see, if you are bailing someone out of jail, you will be required to sign a bail bond agreement, which is a legally-binding contract that makes you liable for that person’s full bond amount. If they do not appear for court, you have to pay back the remaining amount. For example, if your friend’s bail is set at $5,000 and the fee is 10%, you must pay $500 for the bail bond, which is non-refundable as you recall. But, if your friend fails to appear for court, you have to pay the remaining $4,500 to the bail bondsman.
Once you have signed for a bail bond, all you have to do is wait for the agent to process the paperwork, contact the jail, and go get your friend. After your friend comes back to the agent’s office, they will complete some paperwork, and then you both are free to go home.
Get Trusted Bail Bond Services in Hamilton County, Indiana
Call Uptown Bail Bonds at 317-919-2489 to speak with a friendly Hamilton County bail bondsman about surrendering to an arrest warrant or getting a loved one out of jail in Noblesville, Indiana. We offer 24 hour bail bonds, county and state bonding, free jail and inmate information, and we serve several other cities in Indiana, including Boone County, Madison County, Marion County, and more! Call 317-919-2489 to request a free estimate, today.