Good Questions and Important Answers About Bail Bonds

Posted on April 21, 2017 by admin

When it comes to bail bonds, people have questions. Since there are so many companies to choose from, various types of bail bonds available, and a wide range of information pertaining to the surety industry, it is no surprise that people get confused about bail and bail bonds. Look below for a list of the best questions to ask yourself about bail bonds, and the important answers to them all.

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What Do I Need to Know Before I Call a Bail Bondsman?

When you call a bail bondsman, they will need specific information from you. Have this information ready to go before you contact a bail bonds company:

1. The defendant’s full name;
2. The defendant’s booking number (they can help you with this if you don’t have it);
3. The city and county where the defendant is being held;
4. The bail amount set by the judge (they can help you with this too if you don’t have it);

How Does the Bail Bond Process Work?

When a person is arrested, they have the opportunity to post bond if one is set for them. When they do not want to pay the full cash amount to the court, they can choose to use a bail bond instead. They contact a bail agent who will cover the full bail amount in exchange for their conditional release from jail. They do this for a non-refundable fee.

Do I Have to Sign a Contract for a Bail Bond?

Yes; obtaining a bail bond does require a person to sign a bail bond agreement. This is a contractual agreement that is legally binding. If a defendant fails to appear for court or disobeys any bond conditions, their bail bond can be revoked, and the person who signed the contract is legally liable for paying the full bond amount back to the bail agent.

How Much Does a Bail Bond Cost?

The cost of a bail bond depends on the defendant’s bond amount. If a person’s bond is set at $5,000, the cost of a bail bond would be different from someone who has a bond set at $1000. Bail bond companies charge a set percentage that is state regulated. These range between 10 and 15 percent. Some bail bond companies can charge lower percentage rates if the laws allow it in their state.

Do I Get My Money Back for a Bail Bond?

Unlike paying the full cash amount to the court for a release from jail, you do not get your cash back once your case is over when you obtain a bail bond. You pay a percentage of your total bond amount, which is non-refundable. If the bond is $1000, and the rate is 10%, you would pay a non-refundable fee of $100 for a bail bond.

Can I Leave the State on Bond?

One of the primary conditions of a bail bond contract is that the defendant cannot leave the state. They must also abide by all other set conditions, by the bail bond contract and the courts. This includes refraining from drug and alcohol use, obeying all laws, and appearing for all mandatory court hearings.

Which Types of Collateral Do Bail Bondsmen Accept?

Bail bond companies prefer cash, but they sometimes accept collateral in exchange for their services as well. Commonly accepted collateral in the bail bonds industry include:

• Cars
• Boats
• Businesses
• Real estate
• Bank accounts
• Credit cards
• Stocks
• Bonds
• Jewelry
• Personal credit

Indiana Bail Bonds You Can Trust

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Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional bail bond services in Indiana. Owner, James Woods, and his team of licensed and insured bail agents, provide 24 hour bail bonds in over 30 Indiana counties. We serve the Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana areas with safe and secure bail bonds you can afford. Right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Call 317-876-9600 anytime for fast Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust.

Woods Bail Bonds Will Post Your Bond in Peru, Indiana

Posted on April 11, 2017 by admin

Get Out of Jail in Miami County With the Help of Our Friendly and Experienced Bail Bondsmen!

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Here at Woods Bail Bonds, our professional bail bondsman are licensed, insured, and bonded to perform any and all bail or bond services in Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana.

We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, so if you or a friend needs to post bail or surrender to an arrest warrant, you can count on us no matter the time or day. We even work in National holidays, weekends, and twilight hours!

How to Get Out of Jail in Miami County

If you are wanted for arrest in Miami County, Indiana, we are the professionals to call for fast and friendly bail bond service you can trust. Regardless of your charges, we will get you out of jail for a fraction of your total bond amount. In fact, we are offering 8% bail bonds right now! That means instead of paying the standard 10 to 15 percent of your total bond amount, you only have to pay 8% with Woods Bail Bonds! Don’t sit in jail any longer than you have to in Peru, Indiana.

Instead, take action against an outstanding arrest warrant or bench warrant and use our services to turn yourself into authorities, safely, securely, and quickly! In some cases, our Miami County bail bondsmen can get you out of jail as soon as you are processed into the system. That can happen in as little as one hour!

Call Our Office for a Free Estimate

Hamilton County Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Not sure how much it will cost to get out of jail in Peru, Indiana? Owner James Woods, and our friendly bail bondsmen, can help you with that anytime! Just give us a call at our Northern Indiana headquarters at 765-644-0400 and speak with a licensed bail agent on duty. There is always someone in the office to accept your call! You can expect a prompt hello and a warm greeting no matter which time of day you reach out to us! To get started, call 765-644-0400 and learn your options for posting bail in Miami County, today.

5 Reasons Why You Should Not Stay in Jail While Awaiting Trial

Posted on April 5, 2017 by admin

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Some defendants question whether or not it’s worth posting bond to get out of jail before their trial. No matter how much evidence police has against you, and even if you know you are facing definite jail time, there are many reasons to post your bond if one is set for you. Waiting in jail before your trial is not a good choice, even though any time served before your conviction will be taken off your total jail sentence. Whether you can afford bail or not, it is in your best interest to try to obtain a pretrial release with the available resources around you.

Continue reading to learn the top 5 reasons why you should post bail before your trial, and who to call for prompt service you can trust.

Reason 1 – You May Not Receive Any Jail Time or a Guilty Conviction

Even if you think there is too much evidence against you to avoid a non-guilty verdict, and there is no way you are not being sentenced to jail time, you could be wrong. After all, you are not adept in the field of criminal law, and there may be certain flaws in your case that prevent a guilty conviction or jail time.

Reason 2 – Jails are Not Pleasant

In more ways than one, jails are not nice places to spend your time. And they are designed this way for a reason. Jails are often dirty, unsanitary, smelly, and freezing cold. They are also bright, loud, and all-around uncomfortable. You can expect a small jail cell with cement benches, an exposed toilet, and a payphone. You will not get any special treatment from jail staff, including bathroom emergencies, water, blanket, or anything else.

Reason 3 – Jail Interaction Can Be Incriminating to Your Case

In jail, defendants tend to speak too freely. And inmates’ lips are loose. Sitting in jail before your trial leaves room to make incriminating statements that could negatively affect your case. Other inmates will try to negotiate with prosecutors by trading case information for reduced jail time.

Reason 4 – Your Case May Become Stagnant

When defendants are not in jail, prosecutors are usually not in a rush to move the case along. When cases move slowly, many things can go wrong, leading to a stagnant case. Key witnesses could disappear, evidence could get lost, and so forth. This could render a better deal for the defendant.

Reason 5 – You Have Time to Reform

If you were to stay in jail prior to trial, you would not have the chance to get your life back on track. This includes going back to work to earn a paycheck, setting up arrangements in the case that you go to jail, and reforming your lifestyle to make better choices.

Call a Bail Bondsman to Get Out of Jail in Indianapolis

Woods Bail Bonds Marion County Indiana 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to post bond in Indianapolis, Indiana for a pretrial release. Owner James Woods, provides 24 bail bond services in more than 30 counties across the state. As a licensed, bonded, and insured company, you can trust us for prompt and professional assistance regardless of the charges you were arrested for. Call 317-876-9600 to request a free estimate, today.

Origins of Bail Law in the USA

Posted on March 14, 2017 by admin

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Bail law dates back all the way to the time of our founding fathers. After the Declaration of Independence went into effect in 1776, the majority of colonies abandoned the English law for bail, and instead, adopted their own versions. For instance, Section 9 in the Virginian Constitution of 1776 stated, “excessive bail ought not to be required…”, and in 1785 added, “Those shall be let to bail who are apprehended for any crime not punishable in life or limb…But if a crime be punishable by life or limb, or if it be manslaughter and there be good cause to believe the party guilty thereof, he shall not be admitted to bail.” Similarly, Section 29 in the Pennsylvanian Constitution of 1776 stated, “Excessive bail shall not be exacted for bailable offenses.” And to this very day, the 8th Amendment in the U.S. Federal Bill of Rights reads, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

The Judiciary Act of 1789

Shortly after James Madison wrote the first 10 Amendments in the U.S. Constitution, better known as the Bill of Rights, Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789. This act limited the discretion of judges when setting bail, and distinguished which types of crimes were eligible for bail. It states that all non-capital crimes are eligible for bail, and that capital cases are under the judge’s discretion in terms of detaining a suspect prior to trial. Here is a direct excerpt to explain, “Upon all arrests in criminal cases, bail shall be admitted, except where punishment may be by death, in which cases it shall not be admitted but by the supreme or a circuit court, or by a justice of the supreme court, or a judge of a district court, who shall exercise their discretion therein.”

The Bail Reform Act of 1966

Now we jump ahead several decades to 1966, when congress enacted the Federal Bail Reform Act. This act stated that all defendants suspected of non-capital crimes are to be released, pending trial, on their own personal recognizance, or on personal or private bond. However, it also states that this right can be revoked by the judicial officer (magistrate) if they feel that the above-mentioned incentives will ensure the defendant’s presence at trial. This act also eliminates a judge’s discretion in non-capital cases to consider a defendant a danger to the community.

Up to Date

The last major change to bail law was made by congress in 1984. They replaced the Bail Reform Act of 1966 with the current bail law: United States Code, Title 18, Sections 3141-3150. Source: www.law.cornell.edu

The rules of bail vary from state to state, and even among individual counties. It is important to be sure you are getting the right information. To learn more about the current laws surrounding bail in your particular county of residence or criminal charges, contact a trusted bail bond company for professional advice.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Indianapolis, fast. Owner, James Woods, and his licensed team of bail bondsmen, are eager to help you post bond in over 30 Indiana counties! We offer a wide range of bail bond services, as well as, free quotes, free jail information, and free pick-up and drop-off services to and from our office. Call 317-876-9600 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis bail bonds, today!

Can I Post Bail on Robbery Charges?

Posted on March 7, 2017 by admin

In Indiana, every person has a right to bail as long as their criminal charges are not for murder, and they are not on probation or parole. So if you were arrested for robbery in Indiana, you may or may not have the right to bail, but you are likely to face a plethora of legal penalties if convicted. Continue reading to learn the bail schedule for crimes like robbery and more.

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Bail Privileges

Even though every person in Indiana has the right to bail does not mean that every person will be granted the opportunity. There are several factors that influences a judge’s decision to allow bail or not. And if they do, they can raise or lower the bail amount based on these same factors. The most common reason why bail is not granted by a judge is for being a flight risk, or for being a danger to themselves or to others.

If a judge believes a person is likely to leave the state or the country, harm someone or themselves, or knows the offender has a history of fleeing, they may not set bail for them at all. And even if a judge does grant bail, an offender can be denied by a separate bail bond company if the bail bondsman knows they have skipped bail before. In this case, the offender would have to pay the full bond amount in cash, directly to the courts.

In some cases, bail is delayed if the offender was arrested while on probation or parole. It is important to discuss your bail options with an experienced bail bondsman who can explain the criminal bond procedures in your county of arrest. It is equally important to have a criminal lawyer defending your rights.

Indiana Bail Schedule for Robbery and Other Similar Crimes:

The bail schedule in Indiana varies among individual counties. As an example, here is the bail schedule for Marion County, Indiana:

Surety = $30,000 – $50,000 (Depending on Enhancements, $5000 per Enhancement)

Robbery is a Level 5 Felony in Indiana, but when it involves using a deadly weapon, it is a more serious crime referred to as armed robbery. In Marion County, armed robbery is a Level 3 Enhanced Felony. This is punishable by 3 to 16 years in a federal prison, and up to $10,000 in fines. If an individual is a habitual offender, in can increase to an even more serious charge.

SOURCE: IN.GOV

Marion County Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Marion County, Indiana. Owner, James Woods, is happy to answer your questions about posting bail and more. We are open 24 hours a day, and offer free quotes, free jail information, jail pick up and drop off services, and much more. Call 317-876-9600 to speak with a friendly Marion County bail bondsman, today.

Will I Go to Jail if I’m Caught Urinating in Public?

Posted on March 2, 2017 by admin

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When a person chooses to urinate in public, they are committing a crime. The act of urinating in public is illegal in all 50 states, and can lead to a few different types of charges depending on the local legislature and how good a person’s behavior is with law enforcement. A person can be charged with disorderly conduct or being a public nuisance; or they get charged with something harsher, like indecent exposure or public lewdness.

These harsher convictions may force someone to register as a sex offender in some states. So what does it mean to urinate in public? It constitutes as relieving oneself in an area that is open to the public. Whether behind trees and bushes, an alleyway, or on the side of an abandoned building, if you are caught relieving yourself in public, you may be subjected to legal ramifications, including jail time.

A Misdemeanor Could Mean Jail

In states where urinating in public is charged as a minor infraction of disorderly conduct or public lewdness, offenders face being convicted of a misdemeanor. The penalties for misdemeanors vary from state to state, but can include any combination of probation, fines, community service, drug testing, and even jail. The chances of jail time increase with enhancements, like having prior convictions, urinating on school grounds or within the presence of children, and so forth.

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When it comes to being arrested for public urination, the circumstances also vary among states, and even among the personal preference of law enforcement. Sometimes, if a person is young or very cooperative, a cop will let a person go without citing them, but this is rare. Most often, a person who is caught urinating in public will be arrested and taken to the local county jail where they can post bond as soon as it is set. In other cases, a cop may simply cite a person and give them a court summons to appear on a certain date
to hear their charges and enter a plea.

Posting Bond for Public Urination

Generally, posting bond after being arrested for public urination can happen quickly. Of course, this also depends on the amount of traffic is in the jail, what day of the week it is, and if a person demonstrates good behavior. But if a person is arrested for urinating in public, and they are also intoxicated, the process will take longer because most jails will not process an inmate until they are deemed sober. The wait time for this is 8 to 10 hours. Once this amount of time has passed, and the person is cooperative, they can be processed and then given a chance to post their bail. If a person is sober when arrested, they could post their bond as soon as it is set, so long as they are on good behavior. Bonds can be set in as little as one hour.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, offers bail bond services in over 30 Indiana counties! We offer state bonds, county bonds, federal bonds, probation violation bonds, immigration bonds, property bonds, and more. We operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so call anytime for fast and friendly bail bonds.

Standard Bail Bond Terms and Conditions in Indiana

Posted on February 14, 2017 by admin

When a person obtains a bail bond in Indiana, they are doing so under certain terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are mandatory, and if disobeyed, come with a long list of possible consequences. Continue reading to learn about the standard conditions of bail bonds, and how the bail bond process works.

Bail Bond Process

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After a person is arrested, they are taken to the county jail and booked into the system. Depending on the nature of the crime and a few other factors (i.e. jail traffic, number of staff, behavior, etc.), booking can take anywhere from one hour to 24 hours or more. While an inmate is waiting to be booked into the jail’s database, the county prosecutor and/or magistrate is setting their bond. Once their bond is set and they are booked into the system, they can post their bond and get released from custody. If they choose to use a bail bond to get out of jail, they must sign a bail bond agreement. In this agreement, a number of terms and conditions are clearly laid out, and they are required by law.

Bail Bond Agreements

After signing the bail bond contract, you (or whoever signed for you) is legally responsible for the total bond amount if the terms and conditions are not met by the offender. And if the offender fails to meet the terms and conditions of the bail bond agreement, not only can they be re-arrested and face additional criminal charges separate from their original ones, they will also face a long set of penalties from the bail bond company. This includes paying the entire bond amount, forfeiting assets, fines, and more.

Standard Terms and Conditions Include:

➩ The offender must appear for all scheduled court hearings.
➩ The offender must obey all federal and state laws.
➩ The offender cannot commit any other crimes.
➩ The offender cannot leave the city or state.
➩ The offender cannot have contact with other known criminals.
➩ The offender cannot use drugs, alcohol, or prescription narcotic medication.
➩ The offender may not possess weapons.
➩ The offender must obtain and maintain employment.
➩ The offender must follow a curfew.

Depending on your personal criminal history and several other factors, these terms and conditions can change, and include many more requirements. They also vary from company to company, and even from county to county. Talk to your bail bondsman about the terms and conditions of their specific bail bond agreement and county.

24 Hour Marion County Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of Marion County Jail. Owner, James Woods, and his team of experienced bail bondsmen, are licensed and bonded to get you out of jail in over 30 Indiana counties. We are friendly and we work fast. Call 317-876-9600 to request a free estimate for Marion County bail bonds, anytime. Right now, rates are as low as 8% for those who qualify!

How to Find Inmate Information for Free in Indiana

Posted on February 9, 2017 by admin

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If you are looking for inmate information in Indiana, you will find that there are several resources to choose from, many of which are also free of charge. The source you choose will likely depend on a variety of factors, including the type of information you need, when you need it, and where the inmate is detained. Continue reading to learn some helpful tips for inmate searches, as well as, popular portals for locating inmates in Indiana.

State and Federal Databases

Both state and federal prisons provide inmate status information via online databases. If you know which type of crime the inmate was charged with, start with that prison system. This will expedite the process and get you the information you are looking for, faster. These systems are easy to use, and most are free. Some will require you to create an account, which is also usually free, while others may not. They provide general information about an inmate, such as the incarceration date and date of release. And for most prison inmate search systems, all you need is the inmate’s name and state of residence. If you know which prison the inmate is being held at, you can phone the jail directly and request information.

Local Bail Bonds Company

If a loved one was just arrested, and still in police custody, contacting an experienced local bail bondsman is the quickest method to use. They generally get inmate information long before information is entered into the jail’s database because they have close ties with the local jails and courthouses. They can provide generic information about an inmate, including charges, court dates, and bond amounts. Not only do they operate on a 24 hour basis, they usually provide these services for free if you use their company to bail your loved one out of jail.

Helpful Inmate Search Portals for Indiana:

☑ Indiana Department of Correction Offender Search
☑ Inmates Plus Free Locator
☑ The Inmate Locator
☑ Indiana Jail and Inmate Records Directory

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

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Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get a friend out of jail in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, James Woods, and his team of bail bondsmen, are licensed, bonded, and insured, and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. We offer fast and friendly 24 hour bail bond services for as low as 8%! Call 317-876-9600 to request a free estimate from a licensed Indianapolis bail bondsman you can trust.

Woods Bail Bonds Can Help You Get Out of Jail in Terre Haute, Indiana!

Posted on February 3, 2017 by admin

Woods Bail Bonds has been serving the communities and neighborhoods of Terre Haute, IN for more than thirty years. Our licensed, bonded, and insured bail bond agents work diligently to get you out of jail, and over the course of three decades, we have earned a reputation for courteous and speedy service you can trust. So it is no surprise that Hoosiers all across the state choose Woods Bail Bonds for fast and friendly bail bonds! And there are so many different ways we can help you and your loved ones get out of Vigo County Jail.

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Affordable and Swift Vigo County Bail Bonds

Here at Woods Bail Bonds, we offer a wide variety of bail bonds; including surety bonds, property bonds, federal bonds, immigration bonds, probation violation bonds, DUI bail bonds, and much more. Regardless of criminal charges (excluding murder), our licensed bail bondsmen can obtain a fast and secure release from Vigo County jail for as low as 8% of the total bond amount. (Rates vary depending on criminal history and flight risk of the individual being bonded out of jail.) And best of all, we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year! That means a friendly bail bondsman can help you with your jail problems no matter what time of day or night, and even on holidays!

On top of all the bail bonds we provide, we also offers additional services. You can download our bail bond application form online, for free. You may also request free estimate and jail information, anytime. But wait, there’s more! Our friendly and knowledgeable bail bondsmen can also help someone surrender to an arrest warrant, prearrange their own bail, and even bail another person out of jail. We also provide professional notary services!

A Terre Haute Bail Bondsman You Can Trust

Vigo County Bail Bonds 812-333-3399

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 812-333-3399 to speak with a licensed Terre Haute bail bondsman about your bail bond needs. Owner James Woods, and his team of experienced bail bondsmen, are happy to provide answers to any questions you have regarding bail bonds, arrest warrants, prearranged bail, or getting out of jail. Remember, we offer 24 hour bail bonds starting as low as 8%, and we are just one phone call away! Dial 812-333-3399 when you need to get out of jail in Vigo County, Indiana.

Can I Bail My Husband Out of Jail on a Domestic Violence Charge?

Posted on January 24, 2017 by admin

Domestic Violence Victims 24 Hour Hotline: 1-800-332-7385

If you are a victim of ongoing domestic violence, and you are unsure about what you want to do, contact the ICADV 24 hour hotline at 1-800-332-7385 for free advice and resource referrals. You have a safe way out, and you are not alone.

Domestic Violence Charges

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Domestic violence has become an increasing concern throughout the United States, so accordingly, the laws surrounding domestic violence have become stricter over time. Today, the ramifications a person faces for domestic violence charges vary from state to state, as do the procedures for protection and remediation. In terms of going to jail on charges for a domestic dispute, the procedure for bail is pretty straightforward.

As for what happens after that, it depends on a variety of factors that are unique to a person’s individual case. If your spouse was just arrested for domestic violence charges in Indiana, and now you wish to bail them out of jail, continue reading to learn what you need to know about your particular situation.

Bail in Indiana

Unless a person is charged with murder, they have a right to bail in Indiana. So if you or someone you know has been arrested for domestic violence, they too can be bailed out of jail as soon as their bail is set and they are processed in the jail’s system. The amount of time it takes for a person to be eligible to post bond depends on a few factors, including the traffic in the jail, number of jail staff, and the sobriety of the inmate. If a person is arrested under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they cannot be booked and processed until they are sober. This is usually an 8 hour waiting period, but sometimes longer for higher intoxication case.

If you were involved in the domestic dispute, you may bail your spouse out of jail, but they are not likely allowed to come home if there is an order of protection or no-contact order in place. Before coming home, a lawyer would have to file to modify the protection order before they would legally be allowed within the vicinity of you or your home.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Indiana Bail Bond Company 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bond service in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, James Woods, provides 24 hour bail bonds in over 30 Indiana counties. No matter where you are or what time it is, we can obtain a safe and secure release from jail for you. Call 317-876-9600 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis bail bonds, anytime.