Tag Archives: arraignment

What to Expect at Your Bail Hearing in Danville

You’ve been arrested and you’ve gone through the long, tedious process of being booked and processed into your local jail. What comes next? Here at Affordable Bail Bonding in Danville, we know that you are likely to have a lot of questions following an untimely arrest, especially if it is the first time you have been detained. Our Danville bondsmen are here to help make getting out of jail as quick and easy as possible, and we are happy to answer any questions you have about the bail bonds process. In today’s post, we’ll review what you can expect during your bail hearing and how we can help. Continue reading to learn more.

When and Where Is the Bail Hearing Held?

Your first appearance in court is referred to as an arraignment. If you have been arrested and held in jail, your arraignment will likely take place on the next day that the court is open. That means it could be a couple of days before your arraignment takes place if you were arrested on a weekend. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may be taken to the courthouse for the arraignment, or it may be done via video conference. Knowing when and where your bail hearing will take place can take away some of the anxiety associated with it, as can knowing what to expect in the hearing itself.

What Happens During Arraignment?

You’ll Be Informed of the Allegations Against You

Several official things will happen during your bail hearing and it can be helpful to know what to expect. The judge or magistrate will review and read aloud the charges that you are facing. They do not do this to embarrass you, but rather to accomplish two important goals. The charges you are facing need to be formally established and you need to be able to understand the allegations brought against you. If there is any confusion about the charges you are facing, now is the time to get clarification.

Ready to get out of jail

You’ll Be Advised that You Have the Right to Representation

The magistrate will also advise you that you have the right to obtain legal representation to help you navigate the legal landscape of your future court dates. This is not just them being nice. They are legally obligated to inform you of your rights, and you do have a right to legal representation. Whether you choose to hire your own lawyer or you work with one that has been appointed to you on your behalf, competent legal representation can make or break your case.

You’ll Be Asked About Your Plans for Representation

After advising you of your right for legal representation, the court will inquire how you plan to handle this right. Will you hire an attorney of your own? Will you request that the Court appoint a Public Defender for you? Or do you prefer to proceed without an attorney? Whatever you decide, remember that working with an experienced attorney can make the difference between more time spent in jail and returning to your everyday routine.

You’ll Be Informed of Your Next Court Date

Lastly, the judge will inform you of your next court date. Depending on the charges you are facing, you may have one or two future court dates, or you may have many. Regardless of how many you have in the future, it is very important to make sure you attend all of them. In Virginia, failing to appear for your court date can result in a $2,500 fine and anywhere from one to five years in jail.

Need an Experienced Bondsman in Danville?

When you have been arrested, you don’t want to trust just any Danville bondsman to restore your freedom. You want to work with one who has years of experience, 24/7 availability, and affordable bail bonds services that you can count on in your time of need. Affordable Bail Bonding checks all the right boxes and you can trust that our team will always treat you with the professionalism and dignity that you deserve. We gladly offer payment plans on bail premiums and we take most major credit cards for your convenience. In most cases, we don’t even require a cosigner. If you’ve been arrested, contact us right away to get out of jail as quickly as possible.

What to Expect at Your Bail Hearing in Danville

You’ve been arrested and you’ve gone through the long, tedious process of being booked and processed into your local jail. What comes next? Here at Affordable Bail Bonding in Danville, we know that you are likely to have a lot of questions following an untimely arrest, especially if it is the first time you have been detained. Our Danville bondsmen are here to help make getting out of jail as quick and easy as possible, and we are happy to answer any questions you have about the bail bonds process. In today’s post, we’ll review what you can expect during your bail hearing and how we can help. Continue reading to learn more.

When and Where Is the Bail Hearing Held?

Your first appearance in court is referred to as an arraignment. If you have been arrested and held in jail, your arraignment will likely take place on the next day that the court is open. That means it could be a couple of days before your arraignment takes place if you were arrested on a weekend. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may be taken to the courthouse for the arraignment, or it may be done via video conference. Knowing when and where your bail hearing will take place can take away some of the anxiety associated with it, as can knowing what to expect in the hearing itself.

What Happens During Arraignment?

You’ll Be Informed of the Allegations Against You

Several official things will happen during your bail hearing and it can be helpful to know what to expect. The judge or magistrate will review and read aloud the charges that you are facing. They do not do this to embarrass you, but rather to accomplish two important goals. The charges you are facing need to be formally established and you need to be able to understand the allegations brought against you. If there is any confusion about the charges you are facing, now is the time to get clarification.

Ready to get out of jail

You’ll Be Advised that You Have the Right to Representation

The magistrate will also advise you that you have the right to obtain legal representation to help you navigate the legal landscape of your future court dates. This is not just them being nice. They are legally obligated to inform you of your rights, and you do have a right to legal representation. Whether you choose to hire your own lawyer or you work with one that has been appointed to you on your behalf, competent legal representation can make or break your case.

You’ll Be Asked About Your Plans for Representation

After advising you of your right for legal representation, the court will inquire how you plan to handle this right. Will you hire an attorney of your own? Will you request that the Court appoint a Public Defender for you? Or do you prefer to proceed without an attorney? Whatever you decide, remember that working with an experienced attorney can make the difference between more time spent in jail and returning to your everyday routine.

You’ll Be Informed of Your Next Court Date

Lastly, the judge will inform you of your next court date. Depending on the charges you are facing, you may have one or two future court dates, or you may have many. Regardless of how many you have in the future, it is very important to make sure you attend all of them. In Virginia, failing to appear for your court date can result in a $2,500 fine and anywhere from one to five years in jail.

Need an Experienced Bondsman in Danville?

When you have been arrested, you don’t want to trust just any Danville bondsman to restore your freedom. You want to work with one who has years of experience, 24/7 availability, and affordable bail bonds services that you can count on in your time of need. Affordable Bail Bonding checks all the right boxes and you can trust that our team will always treat you with the professionalism and dignity that you deserve. We gladly offer payment plans on bail premiums and we take most major credit cards for your convenience. In most cases, we don’t even require a cosigner. If you’ve been arrested, contact us right away to get out of jail as quickly as possible.

Key Bail Bonds Terminology to Know

Understanding the bail bonds process doesn’t have to be difficult when you have a team of experienced Rocky Mount bondsmen working on your side. Affordable Bail Bonding is here to help you or your loved one get out of jail quickly, but we are also here to make what can be a stressful situation less so. Today, we’ll take a look at a few key terms you should be familiar as you work with our team. Check them out below, then contact us today to request bail bonds services.

Bail Bonds Terms

Arraignment

This is the first court hearing of an accused following their arrest. During the arraignment, the accused will be informed of the charges brought against them so that the Court can confirm their understanding of their situation. The Court will advise the accused of their right to representation, ask them about their plans for representation, and advise them of their next scheduled court date.

Bail

The release of an accused individual before their trial under the condition that they appear at their upcoming court date. Release may be contingent upon paying a certain amount of money or the accused may be released on their own merit, or recognizance.

Bail Bond

This is posted on the accused’s behalf to secure their release from jail. There are secured and unsecured bail bonds, and they are usually posted by bail bonds companies. Secured bail bonds are backed by collateral whereas unsecured bail bonds hold the accused liable for conditions of the bond.

Bail Premium

The amount that is paid to the bail bonds company as a non-refundable payment for their services. Virginia law allows bondsmen to charge anywhere between 10 and 15% of the total bail amount for the bail premium. For example, if bail is $5,000, then the bondsman will collect between $500 and $750 for the bail premium.

Bondsman

An individual who is licensed to provide bail bonds services. They act as a surety to pledge money or some type of property (collateral) as bail on the condition that the accused will make an appearance at their scheduled court date.

Collateral

Something that is offered in place of or in addition to bail money in order to get someone out of jail. Collateral can take many different forms, but more often than not, it is in the form of some type of property. Cars, jewelry, houses, boats, and other types of property can be put up as collateral to ensure the accused shows up in court.

When the case is concluded, the collateral will be returned to the owner, regardless of whether the accused is found guilty or not guilty. If payment is still being made on the bail premium, the bondsman may hold the collateral until payment is fulfilled.

Fugitive Recovery Agent

More commonly known as a bounty hunter, this individual may be hired by a bondsman to locate and apprehend someone who has skipped bail. Bounty hunters are usually hired by bail bondsman with the promise of a monetary reward upon the capture and return of the accused. Their payment is usually between 10 and 20% of the total bail amount. For example, if bail is $10,000, the bounty hunter may be paid between $1,000 and $2,000 upon the successful capture and return of the accused.

Recognizance

If the Court determines that the charges are minor enough and that the accused is trustworthy enough, they may release them on their own personal recognizance. If this is the case, the accused will sign official paperwork that commits them to appear in court as directed as well as abide by any other conditions outlined in the paperwork as a condition of bail.

Need Bail Bonds in Rocky Mount?

Have you or a loved one been arrested in Rocky Mount? Has bail been set at an amount that you can’t possibly pay out of pocket without creating a serious financial burden on yourself or your family? If so, request the help of a bondsman with Affordable Bail Bonding. We’re here to help you when you need it most, offering bail bonds in Rocky Mount for just a fraction of the total bail amount. You only need to pay 10% of the full bail amount to our bail bonds agency and we’ll take care of the rest, restoring you or your loved one’s freedom quickly. Contact us today to get started!