No one wants to get that late night call from a loved one who has recently been arrested. When it happens, it can leave you in shock and at a loss for what to do. In most cases, the arrest of a loved one comes as a surprise. If you are left reeling, uncertain of what to do, we are here to help. As your local Roanoke County bondsman, we can work with you to secure bail for your loved one and get them out of jail.
When your loved one finds themselves behind bars, check out the following ways you can help them out and assist them in getting things back on track.
#1: Bail Them Out Of Jail
The very first thing you should do if you find out your loved one has been arrested is work on posting bail. The sooner you can get your loved one out of jail the sooner you can help them create a plan for their future. If you are not sure where to begin, our team can help. Bail amounts are often set extremely high and you might not be able to afford the amount on your own. When you work with a bail bondsman from our team, you only need to pay a percentage of the bail amount. Here in Virginia bail bonds are set at around 10 percent of the bail amount.
Once you reach out to a bail bondsman, you will need to provide a few pieces of information to get the process going. They will need to know the defendant’s full name and date of birth. It is also helpful if you know when and where they were arrested, what jail they are being held in, and what charges they are facing. If you do not have every piece of information, you can still call for help. We will work with you to determine what steps need to be taken next.
Can’t afford the required percent of the bail amount? We offer financing options as well. Our goal is to help you get your loved one out of jail as soon as possible so you can work on helping them prepare for what lies ahead.
#2: Help Them Prepare For Court
Once you have bailed your loved one out of jail, it is time to help them prepare for their court date. Trying to handle your own defense is extremely difficult, so at this point in the process, it is best to seek the help of an experienced lawyer. Depending on their charges, you can find an attorney who specifically works in that realm of the law. For example, if your loved one was arrested for drinking and driving, you will want to look for a lawyer who has experience handling DWI cases.
After you find a good lawyer, you and your loved one can work on preparing any necessary information for the court date. During this time, be sure your loved one heeds the advice of their lawyer. This can go a long way in securing a better outcome during the hearing.
#3: Keep Them Accountable
Whether your loved one was arrested for drinking and driving or they got into trouble with the law because of the use of drugs, try to help them avoid any similar scenarios while they await trial. Nothing will hurt their case more than getting into trouble again before they make it to their court date. While you cannot control another person’s behavior, you can offer support and a helping hand as much as possible. Talk to your loved one about the best way for them to stay on the right track between now and their court date.
Provide them with care and support rather than a judgmental attitude. This will go a long way in helping them achieve their goals and boost their morale.
#4: Be Supportive On Their Trial Day
Going to court can be an intimidating process. As the day nears, help support your loved one. Work with them to pick out a professional outfit to wear so that they can put their best foot forward. On the day that they need to show up to court, offer to be there with them. If they are feeling stressed, try to help calm them down and remind them that no matter what happens, you are standing by their side. Offering support can help immensely when someone is facing the court system. By helping keep your loved one calm and collected, you can improve their chance of receiving a better outcome from the judge.
#5: Work On A Plan For The Future
Finally, once the judge makes their decision on what crime your loved one is charged with and what subsequent punishment they face, work with your loved one to come up with a quality plan for their future. For example, in many cases, your loved one will be required to pay a fine as part of their punishment. Help them determine the best way they can afford this cost. They might also need to perform community service hours. Work with them on building out a schedule to fit in the necessary hours. If they need help staying on track to avoid the issues that got them into trouble in the first place, help them seek out assistance through the aid of a therapist or other mentor who can guide them through this rough patch.
When someone you love is arrested, you can be left feeling hopeless and lost. Here at Affordable Bail Bonding, we want to alleviate your fears and work with you to get your loved one back home from jail as quickly as possible. Contact a bondsman in Roanoke County right away to secure fast bail.