When you get a call from a loved one pleading for help after they have been arrested, it is easy to feel a sense of urgency in gathering the money needed to post bail for them. In most cases, it is a good idea to contact a local bondsman to get the bail bonds process started. However, in others, it may not be in your best interest to lend a helping hand. At Affordable Bail Bonding, we want to do everything we can to help you and your loved one in your time of need. Today, we’ll cover a few questions that you should ask yourself if you are considering posting bail for a loved one. Read on to learn more and contact our office with questions right away.
Questions to Ask Before Posting Bail for a Loved One
Are They a Risk to Themselves or Others?
Before you consider posting bail for your friend or loved one that has been arrested, pause for a moment to consider whether it is truly in their best interest to be free. If they pose a risk to themselves or others, the security and confinement of jail may be the best place for them. If your loved one is facing serious charges, there is a possibility their bail may be revoked altogether. In the end, you want to make sure you’re looking out for the best interests of your loved one as well as those of your family and the general public.
Can You Trust that They’ll Show Up for Their Court Date?
Paying bail to get out of jail is just one part of the bail bonds process. The process concludes on your loved one’s court date. If you have put up any type of collateral to secure a bail bond for them and they fail to appear in court, you risk losing your possessions. This might not seem like a big deal if you offer a small piece of jewelry, but if you offer thousands of dollars of your own money or worse, a car or home, as collateral, your loved one’s failure to show up in court could be financially devastating.
What Are the Chances of Them Reoffending?
In addition to considering the offender’s trustworthiness and whether or not they pose a threat to themselves and others, you want to consider the chances that they will reoffend. For example, let’s say your loved one has battled addiction for years before they are picked up on a drug charge. The chances that they will reoffend between the time they are released and their court date for the initial offense may be rather high. Although we all want to think the best of our loved ones, sometimes you have to be realistic about their circumstances, especially if your money is involved.
What Happens if You Don’t Post Bail?
Lastly, as you are considering whether or not you should post bail for your loved one, be sure to consider what the consequences are if you choose not to post bail. For some people, the thought of their loved one sitting in jail is too much to bear — they will help them get out no matter the cost.
If you choose not to contact a bail bondsman, your loved one will stay in jail until someone else posts bail, they post bail themselves, or they are released on their own recognizance. If they remain in jail, there is a possibility they will be transferred to another facility. The booking officer can provide you with some insight as to what will be in store for your loved one if you don’t post bail.
Need Affordable Bail Bonds in Danville?
If you have determined that it is in your best interest and that of your loved one’s to post bail, you’ll need to locate affordable bail bonds in Danville. As you can tell by our name, Affordable Bail Bonding prides itself on helping people get out of jail as affordably as possible. You only need to pay a small portion of the full bail amount to get started and we’ll take care of the rest. We can often complete the bonding paperwork in less than 15 minutes and we offer payment plans for premiums that make posting bail quick, easy, and convenient. Contact a local bondsman today to get started.