Getting arrested and put behind bars is a shocking and overwhelming event that will cause millions of thoughts to rush through your head. For starters, you may be thinking about the actions that lead to your arrest and what sort of repercussions it will bring on your life. Another thought that may be racing through your mind is what financial complications will come from the arrest. Even wrongful arrests can put a dent in your finances.

Whether you or a loved one is arrested, keep in mind the following tips to help minimize the financial strain that can come from an arrest. 

Tip #1: Get Out of Jail Fast

Once someone is arrested and booked, a bail will be posted, depending on their alleged crime. Those who pose a threat to the safety of the community or have an unlikeness to appear for future hearings may be held without bail. Once a bail amount is posted, paying it off quickly is the best way to get out of jail as soon as possible. If you do not have the flexibility in your budget to pay the bail fee, you can always utilize bail bond services. When you work with a bail bond company to get out of jail, you typically only have to pay a small percentage. 

The longer you stay in jail the higher the chances are that your arrest can hurt your career. Spending too much time in jail can lead to too many missed workdays, which can lead to termination. For those who live paycheck to paycheck especially, as well as those that have a family to care for, getting out of jail fast is crucial!

Tip #2: Work With An Experienced Lawyer

With most arrests, you will need to hire a lawyer to defend you in your case. When people don’t have a preferred lawyer, their first instinct is to immediately hire the most affordable lawyer they can find. However, in many cases, it is important to look at the long-term picture rather than the short-term costs associated with hiring a lawyer. Those who work with experienced lawyers that have handled a variety of cases and clients are more likely to help you effectively plead your charges down. Ideally, the accused want these charges to be as minimal as possible, especially if your original charges were felonies. Pleading a felony down to a misdemeanor is an effective way to lessen the amount of time that you spend in jail and any fines that you have to pay. Additionally, should any additional convictions take place in the future, having misdemeanors on your criminal record as opposed to felonies will also lessen the severity of your future sentencing.

Tip #3: Be Cautious of Who You Share Information With

If you aren’t careful about who you share details about your arrest and charges with, you may be faced with severe ramifications on many aspects of your life, including your career — even talking to co-workers can have a severe negative impact on your future with the company. For best practice, try to avoid bringing the news of your arrest to light at work and cover it with a personal or family issue while you get your defense sorted.

Tip #4: Consider Bail Bond Financing

Bringing things back to bail bonds, opting for financing or bail bond payment plans can help ease the financial burden of an arrest. Bail is an unexpected expense, but fortunately, many bail bond companies offer special financing options. Keep in mind, however, that since the nature of each case and the circumstances of each defendant are unique unto them, the financing or payment plan terms will likely differ. If you want to learn about the available financing plans, it is best to contact your local bail bondsman.

Get Out of Jail Fast, Contact The Danville Bondsmen at Affordable Bail Bonding

If you are in need of a bail bond company in Danville, VA, or the surrounding areas, you can rely on the experts at Affordable Bail Bonding! With no cosigner required, available financing options, and fast, reliable, and non-judgmental services, we have established a reputation as one of the best bail bond companies in Western Virginia. For more information, contact us!

The drug laws in the state of Virginia are notoriously strict. The sale, transport, and importation of an illegal substance are viewed as a severe crime. Getting convicted of drug trafficking or for possession of a controlled substance likely will come along with a potentially lengthy prison sentence. In addition to the strict laws and sentencing guidelines for drug possession and distribution, the bail bond requirements for these drug-related charges are also pretty severe. 

If you have a loved one that has been arrested for a drug-related charge and is relying on you to help them with paying for bail, you likely have a lot of thoughts, questions, and concerns racing through your head. Of all the things, you likely will wonder how much the posted bail amount will be and what the bail bond process will look like. In today’s blog, we will share some key considerations to keep in mind when dealing with bail for drug charges. 

Factors That Affect Bail Amounts For Drug Charges

After being arrested and booked for the distribution or possession of drugs, or any other drug-related charges for that matter, a judge will determine the amount that will be posted for bail. When setting bail, judges look at numerous factors such as the criminal history of the person charged with the crime and whether or not they are viewed as a threat to the safety of the community. Additionally, though, there are factors of the actual drug-related charge that will impact the amount set for bail. The following factors can impact the bail amount for those sentenced to jail due to drug-related crime.

The Type of Drug

As you would expect, more serious illegal drugs come with more serious charges and sentencing. To give you a better idea of the different classes of illegal substances, continue reading below:

• Schedule I Drugs: Drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined by the federal government as Schedule I drugs. These drugs are not accepted medical use and have a high potential for abuse. Examples include Marijuana, Heroin, LSD, and Ecstasy.

• Schedule II Drugs: Any drugs substances or chemicals that are defined as Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse, however it is less than Schedule I. Examples include Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Oxycodone.

• Schedule III, IV & V: Drugs that are categorized into these classes have a lower potential for abuse as well as a lower potential for physical and psychological dependence. Examples of these drugs include Ketamine, Xanax, or Ambien. 

Quantity of Drugs in Possession

Any amount of a possessed drug that has not been legalized is illegal, however, the quantity of the drug in a person’s possession is an important factor. To give you an example, possession of marijuana is illegal in the state of Virginia. However, having an ounce of marijuana will come with more severe penalties than having a couple of grams would. As a result, the bail amount for a ounce of marijuana is likely to be higher than it would be for a smaller amount. 

Accompanying Charges 

When facing more than just drug trafficking, drug possession, or other drug-related charges, it is common for defendants to receive a higher bail. The reason for this is that judges must assess each charge individually. For example, if one charge has a $10,000 bail minimum and another charge has a $20,000, both bail amounts will be factored in when determining what the total bail request is — remember, the more severe the additional charges, the higher the bail will be.

Flight Risk Label

Another factor that impacts bail is whether or not the defendant is a flight risk. If someone faces flight risk, it means that they have a history of not returning to court when required or has given the judge a reason to believe they may try to leave the area before they are convicted. Being a flight risk is often a reason for bail denial, but if rewarded, the bail amount will likely be set at a higher amount.

Need Bail Bonds in Danville For A Drug Possession Charge?

Whatever causes the arrest of a loved one, it is never easy seeing them in jail. If bail is posted and you want to help them get out of jail fast, you can trust Affordable Bail Bonding. If you are interested in learning more, contact us!