Finding out that a loved one has been arrested can be a shocking and frightening process, and a million questions will likely fly through your mind—what have they been arrested for? Where are they being held? Was anyone hurt? Realistically, the only thing you can do for someone that’s been put in jail is to help to bail them out. But what does the process of bailing someone out of jail entail? Of course, everyone’s case is different, and there are a ton of factors that you need to consider. Before asking yourself “can I bail someone out of jail?” you should first ask yourself the question, “should I bail someone out jail?” If you need help with your decision, PCS Bail Bonds can help you weigh your options. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before deciding if bailing out your loved one is in your best interest.
How to Decide if You Should Bail Someone out of Jail
Can You Afford Bail Money?
First and foremost, you should think about your current financial position, and how stable you are. You should figure out if you have the money upfront to cover the price of their bail, or enough to pay the fee for a bail bondsman. Many bail bondsmen have payment plans to help you cover the costs of the bail, so if you decide you want to bail out your family member or friend, know that you have options when it comes to making the payments.
How Well Do You Know the Person?
Next, think about how well you know the defendant, and your personal history with them. Are they trustworthy, and worth putting yourself on the line for them? No one wants to see a close family member or friend in this position, which sometimes make the decision that much easier. But if you don’t trust their character or you think they might implicate you in any way, you should reconsider whether it’s in your best interest to co-sign for their bail bond. Consider that you will be the one responsible for making sure that they make it to their court date. Can you take on that responsibility?
Is the Defendant a Violent Criminal or a Repeat Offender?
Aside from your personal history with the defendant, you should also contemplate their criminal history. Was this their first offence, or is it a frequent occurrence? In terms of the crime they committed, would you be comfortable setting them free while they await trial, and being responsible for them during that time? As a close friend or family member, you know the defendant best. It’s true that everyone makes mistakes sometimes and should one of your loved ones ever find themselves in a situation where they need bail, you’ll likely want to help in any way you can. However, if you think that they could possibly be a public safety risk, whether the judged deemed them to be or not, you might want to think twice about co-signing for their bail bond.
Reasons You Post Bail for Your Loved One
Help Find Appropriate Legal Aid
One of the main reasons you could post bail for someone is to give them the opportunity to search for their own legal aid. Not all legal council is created equally, and the truth is that some lawyers and attorneys are better than others. Depending on their specific case, the defendant may need to seek the help of a specialist to help them in court. Whatever the case may be, it’s a good idea for defendants to find their own legal aid—and they can only do this when they’re not detained while awaiting trial.
Allow Them to Continue Their Education/Job
Being held in jail while awaiting trial can seriously derail someone’s life, especially in terms of their education or profession. When you bail someone out of jail, you’ll give them an opportunity to get their life in order before their trial, and possible sentencing if they’re convicted. This can make all the difference in someone’s life, as it could be the difference between being able to provide for themselves and being kicked out of school or unemployed.
To Prepare for Life After Court
Another reason that may affect your decision to bail someone out of jail is that they’ll be able to get their life in order before a possible sentencing. Getting arrested and detained for days, weeks, or even months before being granted a trial can be shocking, and throw the defendant’s entire life into disarray. By getting released before their trial, they’ll be given the time they need to make any arrangements needed to make sure that things stay in order while they’re away. This can include pre-paying bills, scheduling mortgage payments, or making sure their family is taken care of.
Once you’ve made the decision to bail your loved one out of jail, the first step is to call PCS Bail Bonds. We can help you weigh your options and fully understand what the bail bond process entails. With over 25 years of courthouse experience, you can depend on us to get your friend or family member out of jail as fast as possible—while it can take hours for local court systems to process the paperwork, one of our agents can be down to the jail in as little as 30 minutes. Our licensed bail bond agents are able to serve all jails within Tarrant County, Texas, and will be able to assist you through every step of the bail bond process and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today for more information on how we can help get your loved one released as soon as possible.
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