At Affordable Bail Bonding, we are proud to provide outstanding bail services to our local community. We strive to offer affordable bail bonds in Danville and the surrounding communities in order to ensure our neighbors have access to an easy way to post bail.
In many cases, being arrested comes as a surprise. It can leave you feeling alone and bewildered. Our team is here to assist you, night or day, with posting bail when you face arrest.
What happens, though, if you are being arrested for a crime you didn’t know you had committed? What if you weren’t aware that you were breaking the law? Find out more about what can transpire when you break a law ignorantly and contact us for help posting bail.
Ignorance Is Bliss… Or Is It?
As the old adage goes, ignorance is bliss. In many cases, it can feel true that if you are unaware of something, it can be less stressful for you. However, when it comes to the law, ignorance is not bliss. In fact, there is another age-old adage amongst judges that states “ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
The short answer is that if you were breaking the law and you weren’t aware that the law existed, that does not mean you are innocent. In many cases, the argument is that most illegal behavior is easy to discern. For example, if you tried to plead ignorance of the laws surrounding drinking and driving, a judge will have a hard time believing you didn’t know it was wrong to drink and drive no matter what you claim.
The unfortunate reality is that in the majority of cases, a cop will arrest you for doing something illegal — period. It doesn’t matter if you knew the law or not. If you broke it, you are responsible for your actions.
This can wind up feeling extremely unfair if you are legitimately in a situation where you broke a law unwittingly. In a country such as ours, there are so many laws on the books that it isn’t hard to see how this can happen. Not only that, but we also have different laws from state to state, which makes it even easier to break a law unknowingly when visiting another place.
Not Understanding The Law Vs. Mistake Of Fact
In some cases, ignorance is not of the law, but rather of the facts of the situation that led to trouble. For example, you might know that the law says you cannot steal. However, you are in an airport and go to grab your bag off of the conveyor belt. You leave with the bag in tow and, only upon arriving home, do you realize that the black suitcase you took was not your own.
In this case, you knew the law, but you were mistaken about a fact. You accidentally took someone else’s bag that looked nearly identical to your own.
In the situation of a mistaken fact, it is much easier to argue your case than if you were ignorant of a seemingly obvious law.
What To Do When It Happens To You
If you are being arrested for breaking a law that you weren’t aware of or for being mistaken about a fact, there are a few things you can do.
1. Cooperate
Now is not the time to take your defense up with the police. If they are arresting you, you need to go along with what they say. You will have your day in court.
2. Remain Silent
Only answer necessary questions, such as what your name is when cops ask. Avoid speaking as much as possible. The less you say, the better chance a lawyer will have at defending you down the road.
3. Bail
If you are allowed to bail out of jail, do so. Contact a bail bondsman and post your bail. This will allow you to return home to your responsibilities as well as prepare for court.
4. Contact An Attorney
Find yourself a quality defense attorney. They will be able to prepare an aggressive defense for your case.
Contact Affordable Bail Bonding Today
If you were arrested for a crime you didn’t know you committed, contact our team. We can help you post bail quickly. We offer fast, affordable bail bonds in Danville, and our goal is to get you back home so you can prepare for your trial.