The Difference Between State and Federal Bail Bonds

Posted on October 9, 2019 by admin

When arrested for a crime, an offender will face criminal charges on either a state level or a federal level depending on the type of offense and the severity. Likewise, the laws and regulations that govern state and federal adjudication will differ from one another. This includes the first step that comes after an arrest; bail.

When attempting to understand the difference between state and federal bail bonds, it helps to first learn more about state and federal bonds. Continue reading to do just that.

Federal Bail Bond Services in Indiana 317-876-9600

State Crimes

State crimes originate in the state court system, who appoint a state prosecutor to bring charges against an accused offender. These charges are called misdemeanors, which are divided into three “classes”, from most to least serious: Class A Misdemeanors, Class B Misdemeanors, and Class C Misdemeanors. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious, and Class C misdemeanors are the least serious.

Each state has their own ordinances, procedures, and limitations surrounding state-level crimes and penalties. Accordingly, each state also has their own rules regarding bail bonds. Bail bonds used to get an offender out of jail who was arrested for a state-level crime are referred to as state bail bonds.

Federal Crimes

Federal crimes originate in the federal court system, in which the federal government brings charges against an accused offender. Those arrested for a federal crime face being charged with a felony. Felonies are divided into 7 categories in Indiana: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, Level 6, and Murder. Level 6 felony crimes are the least serious type of felony, and are commonly referred to as “wobblers” since they can most often be reduced to Class A Misdemeanors. Bail bonds used to get an offender out of jail who was arrested for a federal-level crime are referred to as federal bail bonds.

Their Primary Difference is Price

State bail bonds are generally cheaper than federal bail bonds. In fact, the difference in price is the main factor that separates the two types of bail bonds. Since federal crimes are more serious, courts assign higher bond amounts, which increases the price for a bail bond. You see, bail bond company rates are regulated by the state, so all bail bonds pretty much cost the same. Right now, bail bondsmen can charge anywhere between 8 and 15% for their services, at their own discretion, depending on the history of the client and other related factors. So a bail bond fee would be higher for a person whose federal bond is set at $100,000, compared to a person whose state bond is set at $10,000.

Need to Get Out of Jail in Indiana?

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure state and federal Indianapolis Indiana bail bonds you can trust. We also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour. And don’t forget that right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.

What are the Indiana Bail Bond Rules?

Posted on October 3, 2019 by admin

Within the United States Constitution, and decreed in the Bill of Rights(also referred to as “Declaration of Rights” or “Charter of Rights”), all citizens are protected against unfair or callous to suspected criminals and convicts, including unusual punishments and excessive bail and fines. For residents of Indiana, the laws governing such rights remains steadfast. If you or someone close to you might be facing criminal charges, it is wise to familiarize yourself with your 8^th amendment rights.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about your right to bail, bail bond conditions, and bail schedules.

Your 8^th Amendment Rights

According to the Bill of Rights, our 8^th Amendment gives us certain rights surrounding bail. Basically, it prohibits the federal government from being unfair or callous to suspected criminals and convicts. Specifically, it states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

Although your 8^th amendment rights protects you against certain judicial injustices, there are still additional rules and requirements for bail, set forth by the state. One such rule is referred to as Indiana Bail Schedule. Each city, and county within, has their own bail schedule, which can be confusing for many. This is why it is important to always consult with a licensed and experienced bail bondsman who can provide accurate information regarding your case.

As an example, review the current Marion County, Indiana Bail Schedule:

FELONY:
Murder = NO BOND
Habitual Offender = $50,000 Surety
Level 1 & 2 = $50,000 Surety
Level 3 & 4 = $20,000 Surety
Level 5 = $7,500 Surety
Domestic Violence: Level 5 Felony = $25,000 Surety
Level 6 = $2, 000 Cash Bond

MISDEMEANOR:
Class A Misdemeanor = $1,000 Cash Bond
Class B Misdemeanor = $1,000 Cash Bond
Class C Misdemeanor = $250 Cash Bond

Bail Bond Costs and Contracts

Bail bonds cost different amounts, depending on the state. Bail prices are mandated by law, and are not set by the bail bondsmen themselves. The standard rate in Indiana among bail bond companies is 10 to 15 percent of the full bond amount. For example, a $10,000 bond premium will cost $1,000 to $1,500 for a bail bond.

A bail bond company takes a significant risk when bonding a person from jail and underwriting their bail. The company is basically “fronting” the money to the courts to get a defendant out of jail. If the person fails to appear for their scheduled court date, the bond company can lose that money. If the defendant shows, they get that money back. For this reason, bail bondsmen can refuse service to someone if they do not trust them.

See our blog, “Standard Bail Bond Terms and Conditions in Indiana” to learn more.

Indiana Bail Bondsman at Your Service 24/7

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis Indiana bail bonds you can trust, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Not only do we serve both adult and juvenile clients, we also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour. Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.

Can I Go on Vacation While Out on Bond in Indiana?

Posted on September 25, 2019 by admin

The process of obtaining a bail bond for a release from county jail varies greatly from state to state. Accordingly, so do the rules and regulations for being out on bond while awaiting an upcoming court hearing. So what does being out on bond mean, exactly? A person who is out on bond has used a bail bond company to get out of jail. While awaiting their scheduled court hearing, the person remains out on bond until they appear for court to be sentenced. Once they appear for court, their obligations to the bail bond agreement are void.

While out on bond, a person has to follow a regulated list of rules. These rules vary from state to state, and from company to company, but all bail bond agreements have fundamental rules that all clients must obey if they want to avoid additional legal repercussions. One such rule has to do with interstate travel.

Continue reading to learn the limitations and allowances for going on vacation while out of jail on a bail bond, BEFORE packing up and hitting the road!

Bail Bond Agreements

Bail bond agreements are contracts, which means they legally binds an indemnitor (co-signer) to certain legal requirements. These requirements are mandatory, and if neglected, will lead to additional legal repercussions. Signing a bail bond contract means that you are accepting the terms and conditions of the agreement, which includes contractually agreeing to ensure the defendant appears for all scheduled court hearings.

If a person signs a bail bond contract, and the defendant they signed for fails to appear (FTA) for their court hearing, or leaves the state, they are responsible for tracking down the defendant and ensuring they go to court, as well as, paying fines and any related fees for tracking down the defendant. This includes the full bond amount, but also, compensation for the bail bondsman in terms of long-distance calls, travel expenses, administrative time, attorney fees, additional court costs, and more.

Going on Vacation Breaches a Bail Contract

The type of bail bond you’re out on (Federal or State), combined with many other factors, will determine whether or not you will be allowed to travel out of the state when out on bond. And if you are allowed to travel, there could also be restrictions on where and how far you can go. In all cases, no one out on bond is permitted to leave the country.

Most often, traveling out of the city is not a problem, but if a person who is bonded out of jail on a bail bond leaves the state to go on vacation, they are probably going to be in immediate breach of their bail bond agreement. In some cases, a person is allowed to travel out of state, so long as it national. On the other hand, if a person is out on a federal bail bond, they will most likely be ordered to remain in the state, and even the city.

In all cases, a person is still required to ask their bail bondsman permission first. Every case is different, and the law can be complex at times. So before you make any travel plans, it is vital to contact your bail bondsman to ask them directly about your individual travel restrictions, if any. This is the best way to determine if you are legally allowed to travel to your desired destination.

Where to Get Secure Bail Bonds in Indiana

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust. We also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour. And don’t forget that right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.

Common Requirements for an Interstate Fugitive Extradition

Posted on September 18, 2019 by admin

When a person who is facing criminal sentencing, whether accused or already convicted, flees the state in order to evade penalties for their crimes, they officially become a fugitive of the law. Basically, a fugitive is someone who flees criminal prosecution. Once a fugitive, a person is constantly at risk of being intercepted by law enforcement and sent back to the state that is prosecuting them. This process is known as criminal extradition, and involves a series of details that vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Continue reading to learn more about criminal extradition, including the common requirements that must be in place for government officials to carry out the process.

Criminal man in interrogation room being interrogated and refusing to admit crime

Criminal Extradition Process

Criminal extradition is the process of transporting a wanted criminal from an asylum state (the state they are residing in to avoid prosecution) back to the state where they are facing trial. Although extradition procedures and regulations are governed by federal statutes, our U.S. constitution delegates the duty to surrender a fugitive back to the state they have fled to the State Governor. However, the surrender of a wanted fugitive can only be carried out upon proper request.

There are certain requirements that must be in place in before a state governor agrees to an interstate extradition. Accordingly, an interstate extradition can be denied by an asylum state under four particular circumstances:

☛ All the proper documents are not in order;
☛ The fugitive is not named in the extradition paperwork;
☛ The fugitive is not wanted for a crime in the requesting state;
☛ The fugitive is not actually a fugitive.

Requirements for Interstate Extradition:

☵ The executive authority (the state demanding extradition) makes a demand to the asylum state for the return of a fugitive;

☵ The executive authority must provide a copy of an indictment or affidavit made in a court of law;

☵ The indictment or affidavit must show that the fugitive is charged with a crime, and be certified by the governor or chief magistrate;

☵ The responding executive (asylum state) must have the fugitive arrested, and notify the executive authority of the detainment;

☵ The executive authority must arrive to accept the fugitive within 30 days of the arrest;

☵ A fugitive will be released if the executive authority fails to retrieve them within 30 days of the arrest.

Have Questions About Jail in Indiana?

If you or a loved one needs bailed out of jail anywhere in Indiana, call 317-876-9600 right away. Our licensed Indianapolis bail bondsmen are ALWAYS standing by, ready to answer your questions about bailing a person out of jail, or turning yourself in for an outstanding arrest warrant, and more. We also provide free estimates, jail information, inmate searches, 24 hour services, and much more.

Do You Have Questions About Posting Bail in Indiana?

Posted on September 11, 2019 by admin

Arrests, jails, criminal charges, court dates, and more will have anyone feeling like their head’s underwater. Emotions like panic, anxiety, regret, fear, and confusion are all common when dealing with an arrest, whether of yourself or a loved one. This is perhaps why everyone’s first motive is to get out of jail as fast as possible. After all, the sooner you can get out of jail, the sooner you can get back to work or family, as well as, hire a lawyer and get a started on your defense. In order to achieve all of this, you need only know how to post bail in Indiana.

Continue reading to learn just that.

How to Post Bail in Indiana

Here in Indiana, the process and procedures for posting bail are pretty much the same across the board, regardless of which county you are jailed in. There may be slight differences in requirements and procedures, but for the most part, posting bail is a straightforward process. The key to posting bail after an arrest, or after surrendering to an arrest warrant, is to hire a bail bondsman in the county of the jail. They will take the lead and handle all further details of the release from jail.

Some examples might include:

➧ Bailing Yourself Out– Jen is arrested in Hamilton County, Indiana, and therefore taken to the Hamilton County Jail in Noblesville, where she contacts a Hamilton County bail bondsman to post bail. The bail bondsman posts her bond, picks her up from the jail, and takes her back to the bail bond office to complete paperwork and payment.

➧ Bailing Someone Else Out – Ted is arrested in Marion County, Indiana and taken to the Marion County Jail. His boyfriend contacts a local Marion County bail bond company and enlists their services. Ted visits the office, completes the paperwork, and pays the non-refundable fee. Once the bond goes through the jail, the bail bond agent will inform the boyfriend that he can pick up Ted at the jail exit.

➧ Turning Yourself In – Greg has a warrant out for his arrest in Boone County. He contacts a Boone County bail bondsman to prearrange a bail bond. He visits the office, completes paperwork and payment, and then rides with the bail bond agent to the jail. At the jail while the bail agent is posting his bond, Greg is detained, booked, processed, and then released.

Posting Bail for Someone Else

To post bail for someone else, simply contact a local county bail bond company and tell them all the information you have. They will take it from there. Keep in mind, you will be taking on all liability upon signing a bail bond agreement. If the person you bail out of jail fails to appear for court, you will be legally responsible for paying back the full bond amount.

Where to Get Fast and Affordable Bail Bonds

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, 24 hour bail bond services in Indiana. Not only can we get you out of jail fast, we can prearrange a bail bond if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant. And we provide our services in over 30 Indiana counties, regardless of time, day, or city. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Meet the Family Who Will Get You Out of Jail in Marion County

Posted on September 5, 2019 by admin

Woods Bail Bonds delivers fast and affordable bail bond services in Marion County, Indianapolis. Continue reading to meet the team who actually makes it happen for thousands of Hoosiers all across the city!

If you have recently discovered that you have an active warrant for your arrest, or a friend or loved one was recently arrested in Marion County, choose Woods Bail Bonds for prompt and professional bail bond service you can trust. We also provide assistance with prearranged bail bonds for arrest warrants and more! Our team of licensed and insured agents work around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, all to provide fast and friendly bail bond services for all those in need.

Meet Some of Our Esteemed Team!

Owner, Jim Woods, has more than 30 years of service in the indemnity industry. He has long-term and good-standing relationships with various court magistrates and jails.

Office Manager, Teresa Woods, has over 15 years of experience as a fully licensed and highly skilled bail agent in the State of Indiana and in the bail bonds industry.

Office VP, Nick Woods, has over 5 years of experience, and manages data processing, bail agent reports, collections, and gathering information on bail bond forfeitures.

24/7 Bail Bond Services in Indianapolis

If you or a loved one needs bailed out of jail anywhere in Indiana, call 317-876-9600 right away. Our licensed Marion County bail bondsmen are ALWAYS standing by, ready to answer your questions about bailing a person out of jail, or turning yourself in for an outstanding arrest warrant, and more. We also provide free estimates, jail information, inmate searches, 24 hour services, and much more. If you are looking for the best of the best in the bail bonds industry, call none other than Woods Bail Bonds of Marion County, Indiana.

Woods Bail Bonds Provides 24/7 Bail Services in Montgomery County, Indiana

Posted on August 29, 2019 by admin

Get Bail Bond Services 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, and 365 Days a Year in Crawfordsville, Indiana!

Woods Bail Bonds of Montgomery County

Woods Bail Bonds provides their services all hours of the day and all year long in Montgomery County, Indiana. No matter what time of day or night, our licensed and insured bail bondsmen are always on duty and available to get you out of jail, fast. We are even open on National holidays, like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, and more! You can feel safe and secure knowing that Woods Bail Bonds offers friendly and professional service you can trust in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Our History of Success

For more than 20 years, our licensed, bonded, and insured bail bond agents have remained dedicated to providing fast and secure releases from the Montgomery County Jail, regardless of time or day. Our company does more than just stay open around the clock to make the bail bond process easy. We also give our clients the opportunity to download the bail bond agreement form on our website for free, take advantage of free rides to and from the jail and our office, request free estimates and jail information, and so much more!

Here at Woods Bail Bonds of Crawfordsville, we can even provide bail bond service both in person and over the! Furthermore, our experienced bail bondsmen offer inmate searches, notary services, prearranged bail bonds, arrest warrant bail bonds, immigration bail bonds, federal bonds, state bonds, county bonds, and so much more.

Woods Bail Bonds is Always Here for You

Unless you or a loved one is arrested under the influence, Woods Bail Bonds can usually obtain a release from the Montgomery County jail in as little as a few hours or less. This, of course, primarily depends on good behavior and the level of traffic at the jail. You can feel good knowing that our knowledgeable and friendly bail bondsmen are always here for you in your unexpected time of need. And we are happy to answer any and all of your questions about bail bond services, prices, and procedures in Montgomery County, Indiana.

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 765-644-0400 if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant or bail a friend out of jail in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

How to Turn Yourself in for a Warrant in Marion County

Posted on August 20, 2019 by admin

Although the anxiety and stress that goes along with knowing you have a warrant out for your arrest in Marion County is not always preventable, it is entirely manageable. Not only is your surrender to your warrant mandatory under law, it is imminent, and therefore, unavoidable. So the sooner you get your legal matters into motion, the sooner you can put them in the past and move on with your life. Fortunately, surrendering to an arrest warrant is easy to do, so long as you know where to begin.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about turning yourself in for a warrant in Marion County.

Bench Warrants vs. Arrest Warrants

What type of warrant do you have? There are two primary types of warrants: bench warrants and arrest warrants. If you have a warrant out in your name, it is vital that you know which type it is.

A bench warrant is issued by the courts when a person misses their trial. This is called an “FTA”, or “failure to appear.” The word “bench” in bench warrant essentially implies the judge’s seat, and requests that you answer to the court for both your original charge and now for your FTA offense. Although these warrants are generally issues for minor criminal cases, such as citations and similar petty infraction, your name is been entered into a statewide database, which means you can be detained by law enforcement if they ever stop you and look you up in their system, like if you are pulled over for speeding.

In contrast to bench warrants, arrest warrants are legal orders that give law enforcement the command to arrest you on the spot. If a person is suspected of a crime or being in violation of their current probationary terms, a judge will order an arrest warrant, which instructs law enforcement to arrest an offender and take them into custody. And this arrest can happen anywhere. Police can knock on your front door, catch you during a routine traffic stop, detain you at your place of employment, and more.

The Surrendering Process

If you have a bench warrant, your best course of action is to contact a lawyer to help satisfy the legal order. If you have an arrest warrant, you will need to surrender to the authorities. To do this, you will need to go to the jail and allow them to detain you and book you into the system. Essentially, this is you being physically arrested. The good news is that you can first prearrange a bail bond so that you are in and out of the jail within an hour or so. Simply contact a local and trusted bail bond company near the jail and make the arrangements for bail prior to turning yourself in. This is the most efficient method for dealing with an arrest warrant.

If you hire an experienced Marion County bail bondsman with a good-standing reputation among the local courthouses and jails, you most likely won’t have to wait long in jail before being released again on bond. In fact, you could be in and out in as little as one hour! The only reason you might have to sit in jail for a long period of time is if you are intoxicated, or the jail is particularly busy and understaffed. But you can avoid a busy jail by turning yourself in on an early week day when jails experience less traffic.

Fast Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, arrest warrant bail bond services in Marion County, Indiana. Not only can we get you out of jail fast, we can prearrange a bail bond if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant. And we provide our services in over 30 Indiana counties, regardless of time, day, or city. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Can I Get Out of Jail Without a Bail Bond?

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

As a citizen of the United States, and privileged under the U.S. Constitution, you have certain rights to bail. Under the 8^th amendment, which states, “excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted”, you will not be subjected to cruel, callous, or unfair bail amounts when jailed for a non-violent crime. Within your rights to bail are various options for getting out of jail, which will allow you to go back to work and manage all other life responsibilities while awaiting your court hearing.

Continue reading to learn what your bail options are after you or a loved one is arrested, including whether or not you need a bail bond for a release from jail.

Your Options for Posting Bail

☑ Lawyer

One of the most common questions asked about obtaining a release from jail is whether or not you need a lawyer. Although you do not require a lawyer to post their bond, it is wisest to retain legal representation as soon as you know you are facing criminal charges. It is important to hire a criminal defense lawyer before an initial hearing. This gives an attorney time to study your case and prepare the best defense. A defendant can get out of jail by simply paying or posting their bond.

☑ Cash Bond

When a judge sets a defendant’s bond, it means they are allowed to pay a certain amount of money for a release from jail. If a defendant chooses to the pay the entire bond amount upfront at the jail, they are released from custody and will receive their money back when they appear for court. But since bond amounts are so high, many people cannot afford to pay their entire bond in one lump sum. For this reason, bail bond services are commonly used instead.

☑ Bail Bond

Although non-refundable, a bail bond is the easiest and most cost-effective option for getting out of jail. With bail bond services, a person only pays a portion of their bond amount. A licensed bail bondsman can provide a safe and secure release from jail, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. But being released from jail does not mean a person is off the hook. They are still required to appear for their initial hearing to determine whether or not they are guilty of said crime. If found guilty they will be sentenced, and perhaps taken back into custody to service a prison sentence.

Get Out of Jail FAST in Indiana

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for fast, safe, and secure bail bonds in Central Indiana. We serve the entire state, as well as the Indianapolis region, including Hamilton County, Marion County, Hancock County, Hendricks County, and more! From convenient customer services like free jail pick up and drop off, to 24 hour emergency bail bonds, free jail and courthouse information, and more, we are truly your best option for fast bail bonds near you. We operate 24-7-365, even on National holidays. Request a free estimate, anytime!

Do I Need a Bail Bond for a Juvenile?

Posted on August 9, 2019 by admin

A juvenile is anyone between the ages of 10 and 17 years old, and who has not been emancipated from legal guardians. Children under 10 years old are not tried in the juvenile court system if they commit a crime. Instead, they are enrolled into a state social services program to be evaluated and rehabilitated by professionals. If your juvenile-aged child or legal dependent has just been arrested and taken to a juvenile holding center, you are likely filled with questions and concerns. One of the most common questions has to do with bail.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about getting your juvenile out of detention, including whether or not you need a bail bond.

Getting a Juvenile Out of Detention

When it comes to getting your juvenile out of jail, there are basically only 2 things you need to do. First, you need to retain legal representation, whether a private criminal lawyer or public defender. If you wish to use a public defender, let the police know when they contact you regarding your juvenile’s arrest.

If you choose to hire a private lawyer, not only do you need to inform the police, you need to also tell law enforcement that your juvenile is to not answer any questions until the lawyer is present. Then, contact your lawyer to settle all necessary arrangements. If you like, you can go to the juvenile holding center to check on your child, or you can have your lawyer do this for you.

After you have done this, you are ready for the second step, which is to contact a local Indiana bail bond company. Most of bail bond agencies provide bail bond services for juveniles as well as adults. Simply give them the information they request, fill out and sign the bail bond agreement on behalf of your teenager, and sit back and wait patiently while the bail bondsman processes everything. When everything has been processed, you can go to the facility and pick up your child.

The Indiana Bail Bond Company to Trust

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Not only do we serve both adult and juvenile clients, we also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour. Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.