What is Bail Bond Forfeiture?

Posted on March 16, 2016 by admin

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

When a person is arrested, a bond amount is set. Depending on the charges, bond amounts can vary from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand or more. In this scenario, a person can either pay the entire bond amount in full with personal cash, or be released from jail on a cash bond. This means they can choose to pay a percentage of their total bond amount to a third-party agency. And the standard third-party agency in this equation is a bail bond company.

By entering into a legal agreement, a person can pay a bail bondsman a percentage of the total bond to avoid liquidating all their cash for a release from jail. In Indiana, this percentage is between 10 and 15 percent. So if your total bond amount is $5,000 and you wish to get out of jail to await your scheduled hearing, you can either pay the five thousand in full, only to receive it back once you appear for court, or you can pay a bail bond company ten to fifteen percent of $5,000 instead. The bail bond fee is non-refundable, but it is generally a better financial scenario for most people, making it worth the cost.

Bailed Out of Jail on a Cash Bond

If a person gets bailed out of jail on a cash bond, they have entered into a contractual agreement with the bail bond agency. This agreement contains several stipulations, the most important of which is to appear for all court hearings on time and not violate any court orders. Failing to meet any of these requirements and more will result in the courts declaring a bail bond forfeited. This is what a bail bond forfeiture means.

If a person signs a bail agreement and then fails to appear for court or violates court orders, the bail bondsmen have a preset time period to locate them and bring them back into court; but if they fail to do so after this time period is up, they are required to pay the initial full bond amount as a penalty. And since the contractual agreement states that the signer of the bail bond is responsible for this penalty, the bail agency can rightfully take legal action against them for the money.

This also means that if anyone co-signs for a bail bond to get someone out of jail, they are agreeing to take full responsibility for the defendant if they fail to show for court or violate court orders. In this case, the bail agency can take legal action against the co-signer if they cannot locate the defendant. This is why it is important to never co-sign a bail bond for a person you hardly know.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Indianapolis and central Indiana. Licensed and insured bail bondsman, James Woods, and his team of experienced bail bondsmen, are eager to provide a prompt and professional release from jail for anyone arrested in Indiana. We have offices located throughout the entire state, making our services available for anyone, anywhere. We offer 24 hour bail bonds, as well as, notary services, jail information, pickup and drop off services, and much more. Call 317-876-9600 for fast and friendly
Indianapolis bail bond services you can trust.

Ignore Advertisements for 5% Bail Bonds!

Posted on March 9, 2016 by admin

Most licensed bail bond companies are reputable and provide honest service, but unfortunately, there are some bad apples out there too. This is why it is important to be careful when it comes to hiring an agency to get yourself or a friend out of jail. You don’t want to be deceived by false advertisements for discounted bail bonds and shady fly-by-the-night companies. However, the process of hiring a bail bond company can be confusing for first-timers, so it is understandable that some might fall victim to false advertising in the industry.

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Discount Bail Bonds

One of the most common cons offered by unethical or corrupt bail bondsmen are 5 percent bail bonds. But discount bail bonds are not real! If you have been looking around for a bail bondsman in Indiana, don’t be fooled by advertisements for 5% bail bonds. This kind of claim is more than just false, it is illegal. The state regulates just how much a bail bond company can charge for their services, and for all states, that percentage is either 10% or 15% depending on the city or state you live in. So the lowest percentage a bail bondsman can charge for their services is 10 percent of a clients’ total bond amount, and never lower under any circumstances.

So if a bail bond company is advertising bail bonds at 5% your bond amount, they are not telling you the truth. If this ever happens to you, simply continue your search for an ethical company to hire. Doing business with an untrustworthy bail bond agency can cause you a lot of money, time, and frustration. You never want to put yourself in a situation where another person can take advantage of your naivety as well as your money. It is important to choose an experienced and qualified bail bondsman to ensure you are not being misled in any way.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds You Can Trust

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for Indianapolis bail bond services you know you can rely on. Owner, James Woods, and his team of professional bail bondsmen, are licensed, bonded, and insured, with decades of experience in the industry. Our bail bond company has served thousands of Hoosiers over the past 30 years, and continues to be among the most reputable and trusted agencies in Indiana. We offer free jail information, jail pick up and drop off services, notary services, prearranged bail bonds, and much more. Call 317-876-9600 and speak with a friendly and knowledgeable company representative about bail bond services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties, today.

How Do I Know if My Friend is in Jail?

Posted on March 1, 2016 by admin

Indiana Inmate Search 317-876-9600

Did you and your friend get separated last night and you don’t know where they are? Did your roommate not come home last night? Have you have tried to call your friend repeatedly, but haven’t heard anything back in hours? Most often, a dead cell phone battery or deep sleep is the reason why you can’t get a hold of your friend. Unfortunately, it is also possible that they were arrested or taken to the hospital. Since it is less likely that your friend has been emitted to the hospital, it is best to start with the local jails.

Find your Friend in Jail

The first thing you want to do is contact your friend using the main source of communication between you two. Try to call, email, or text to try and get a response. If this does not work after a 3 -4 hours, then maybe they cannot be contacted for some reason. If it is still early in the morning, they might be sleeping in as a result of a late night. Wait until the afternoon, then attempt to re-contact them. If there is still no answer or response, then move on to the next plan of action.

Call the local police station. If you are on vacation, find out which county you are in, and the police station that has jurisdiction there. You can find this information on Google, call the operator, or ask a hotel representative. Once you make contact with the local police, simply ask them if they have an arrest on record from last night, and give them your friend’s name. They should be able to look up that information and disclose it to you without any problem. If for some reason they cannot give you this information, or you cannot make contact with them, there are other options.

There are free online databases that contain information about criminals and fugitives. You can look up any person that has a criminal record; whether that be a DUI or felony theft. There are also lists for arrest warrants and more. You may be able to find the arrest record of your friend on this portal if they have been processed already. Some jails are very busy, and processing each intake is a tedious task.

If all these attempts fail, your last chance is to call a bail bondsman. They may have access to these types of records, and can also help you get your friend out of jail fast. If there is still no information or you discover they are not in jail, check the hospitals next. If they are missing for more than 24 hours, call the police to file a missing persons’ report. It is also important to contact their family.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for inmate lookup and bail bond services in Marion County, Indiana. Indianapolis bail bondsman, James Woods, is licensed, bonded, and insured with decades of experience in the industry. We are highly trained and friendly bail bondsmen that are happy to help you locate a friend or loved one that’s been arrested in Indianapolis. Call 317-876-9600 and speak with a live bail bondsman in Marion County, IN right now.

5 Ways to Check for an Arrest Warrant

Posted on February 16, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

There are several ways a person could get a warrant issued for their arrest, all ranging from minor infractions like traffic tickets, to more serious crimes such as burglary or car theft. Just as there are many ways to get an arrest warrant, there are several options when checking for one as well. If you suspect there may be a warrant out for your arrest, it is advised that you take action to appease the warrant quickly. The longer you avoid the issue, the worse it gets.

Here are some ways to check if you have any outstanding warrants in your name anywhere in the country.

Check Your Mail Box Frequently

The first form of contact the court will attempt to make with a person is through mail. If you are a frequent mover, relocate, and change addresses often, it is most likely your warrant information will be lost in the mail. In this case, you would have to pursue another method to obtain information on a potential warrant in your name.

City Courthouse Clerks Office

By visiting the court offices, you can speak face to face with a clerk of the court and have them check for a warrant. It is not likely you would be arrested at the courthouse; instead they would probably instruct you to turn yourself in. This would be a less stressful approach, knowing you will not instantly be taken to jail. If there are no warrants for your arrest, they can help you pay any fines that you may owe, such as parking tickets and traffic violations.

Ask the Police

This is the least popular method used to check for warrants, but a very quick and straightforward way nonetheless. This is because a police officer will immediately arrest a person on the spot and take them to jail if there is a warrant for their arrest. You may try and call the police station to check for a warrant, but most will not divulge that information over the phone.

Hire a Lawyer

If a person suspects there may be a warrant out for their arrest, they will most likely not hire a lawyer because they are costly. If a person is sure there is a warrant out for their arrest, they may hire an attorney to find out the extent of the warrant and the accused charges. A lawyer can also help coordinate their release from jail.

Go Online

Many, but not all, courts will publish case and warrant information online in their counties. There are many online directories that can assist in the search for active warrants. By visiting local police web pages and clicking on “warrant search” or “lookup” portals, you may find a means to your warrant information. Other online resources include public records web pages, local courthouse websites, sheriff office webpage, or the local license branch website.

Indianapolis Arrest Warrant Search

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for assistance with active arrest warrant searches in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner James Woods, and his team of Indianapolis bail bondsmen, are licensed and insured, and can help obtain a fast and speedy release from jail in all Indiana cities and counties. Our bail bond company also provides service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year! Call us directly at 317-876-9600 for professional bail bond services in Indianapolis, IN you can trust.

Who Can Benefit From Bail Bond Services?

Posted on February 8, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Not just anyone can use a bail bond for their particular legal situation. It all depends on a person’s charges, their criminal history, and timing. The legal system is complex, tedious, and sometimes, unpredictable. For this reason, it is important to understand the legal process in regards to your case so that you are prepared for what is to come. On the other hand, if you are just curious about bail bonds, continue reading to learn about the people who can benefit from them.

Misdemeanor Arrests

A person who is arrested under a misdemeanor charge will be taken into custody for processing. Once they are processed, they are given the opportunity to obtain a release from jail. There are multiple ways of doing this, and one of those options is using a bail bond. If a person is arrested under the influence, they will be taken into custody and placed in a cell until they reach sobriety. Once the person is no longer under the influence of a substance, the jailers can proceed with the processing. After a person is processed, meaning they are entered into the jail’s database, they are eligible for release. They either have to wait for their court date, or obtain a bail bond to get out of jail. They can also pay their full bond amount to get out of jail if they don’t want to use a bail bondsman.

Turning Yourself In

Sometimes, a person can have a warrant issued for their arrest. This can be a result of many different situations, from failure to pay parking tickets, to missing a court hearing. In this situation, it is usually advised to hire a lawyer to facilitate the mandatory obligations that follow an issued warrant. In other cases, a person can hire a bail bondsman to assist them in turning themselves in, and getting bailed out right away. This is beneficial to the person because they will not have to wait in jail for a long period of time, and it looks good to the courts that they willingly turned themselves in to stay out of trouble.

When Does a Bail Bond Not Work?

Not all arrest cases are situations in which a person obtains a release from jail through a bail bond. If a suspect has been arrested on murder charges, they are held until their trials conclude and they are found not guilty. If a person has a long criminal or arrest history, they will most likely not be granted an opportunity to get bailed from jail. This is because they are considered repeat and serial offenders.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 professional bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, James Woods, offers licensed, bonded, and insured bail bond services for all Indianapolis counties and surrounding cities. Our friendly and professional bail bondsmen are happy to provide information and advice about bail bonds, arrest warrants, probation violation bonds, pre-arranged bail, and more, anytime. Call our office today at 317-876-9600 and speak with an Indianapolis bail bondsman you can trust.

Why Are Bail Bondsmen Important?

Posted on February 1, 2016 by admin

When a person is arrested and placed in jail, various concerns are expected to arise. A bail bondsmen works with a defendant to take care of these concerns as soon as possible, and in the most convenient fashion. Continue reading to learn more about the importance of a bail system and why bail bondsmen are so beneficial to our families and communities.

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How a Bail Bondsman Can Help You

Life goes on after an arrest, even if the person remains in jail. This is one reason why bail bondsmen can be so vital. We all know that bad things happen to good people sometimes; and in the instance that a person is arrested, there are potential consequences that bail can help avoid. For example, when a person is arrested and taken to jail, one major concern and risk is missing work. Not only would missing work reduce next week’s paycheck, which they’ll soon need, it may also jeopardize their employment status. Hiring a bail bondsman can get a person out of jail and back at home in as little as one day. This is a huge advantage because it protects a person’s job and income.

Also, licensed bail bondsmen are like liberators when it comes to the cost of a person’s bond. Bond amounts are set by the court and depend on the charges and criminal history of the defendant. They can range anywhere from $5,000 to one million dollars and more. In misdemeanor cases, anywhere from 5,000 dollars to 20,000 dollars is more common. Not many people have that kind of cash availability on hand; or afford to pay a $5,000 fee to get out of jail. This is where a bail bondsman can help. A person can pay a bail bondsman a fee, which is a small percentage of the bond amount, to obtain a release from jail.

The percentage a bail bond agency can charge is mandated by state law. In Indiana, they can charge anywhere from ten to fifteen percent. If a person’s bond was set at five thousand, a bail bond would cost five hundred at a ten percent rate. If bail bond services didn’t exist, it would be much more difficult to get released from jail before a court date. Bail bonds make it all possible. They allow people to get back to their lives without putting their bank accounts, family, or jobs at risk.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for help getting a loved one out of jail in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner James Woods, and his team, are licensed and insured bail bondsmen with decades of experience in the industry. We offer a variety of bail bond services, including probation violation bonds, arrest warrant bonds, state and county bonds, federal bonds, and much more. Call 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional bail bond services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

You SHOULD NOT Bail Someone Out of Jail if…

Posted on January 22, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bail bonds are a very common, convenient, and efficient system for those arrested and detained in local jails. Often times when a person is arrested, they call a friend or loved one from jail in order to arrange a bail bond. The person they call will then arrange bail bond services to get them released from jail. This involves having the friend or loved one cosign for and post the defendants bond.

Since this is a sensitive and serious legal matter that involves money and trust, it is important to make a responsible decision if you are the one being asked to bail a person out of jail using a bail bond. Continue reading to learn three specific instances in which you should never bail a person from jail and why.

They Haven’t Called You in a Long Time

When you lose touch with a friend or family member, and you haven’t spoken in a few weeks or longer, it is not a good idea to post their bond if they call you out of the blue from jail. If you haven’t spoken to that person in a while, and the first time you hear from them is when they need you to cosign for a bail bond, it is not a positive situation. The first call after weeks of not talking should be to have lunch or catch up, not to pay for them to get out if jail. This could be an indication that they have burnt bridges with the people closest to them, which is why they are reaching out to someone they do not regularly talk to. Avoid bailing someone out of jail under these circumstances!

You Don’t Know Them Very Well

It is worse to bail a person out of jail if you don’t know them very well than it is if they call you out of the blue; however, both instances are big red flags. Never bail a person out of jail that you have just met or have only known for a little while. It takes years to truly know a person and trust their character, so if you don’t know much about a person, do not sign for their release from jail. This includes people you have only spoken to online, new co-workers, new boyfriends or girlfriends, friends of other friends, and of course, strangers.

You Don’t Understand the Terms of the Bail Bond Agreement

If you do not know what “co-signing” means, and the responsibility it entails in terms of a bail bond agreement, you should steer clear of bailing anyone from jail. A bail bond agreement is a serious contract that holds a co-signer legally liable for the cost of the defendant’s bond amount, which can be upwards of tens of thousands of dollars depending on their current criminal charges and past criminal record. A cosigner also takes on full legal liability in terms of making sure the defendant appears for all court hearings on time. This is a responsibility that should not be entered into lightly.

Hamilton County Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds Noblesville Indiana 317-770-7400

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-770-7400 to get out of jail in Hamilton County, Indiana today. Licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, is can get you a prompt and professional release from jail, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! We offer state and county bail bonds, federal bail bonds, immigration bonds, probation violation bonds, arrest warrant bonds, prearranged bail bonds, free jail information, free jail pickup and drop off services, notary services, and much more! Call 317-770-7400 for fast and friendly bail bonds in Noblesville, IN and its surrounding neighborhoods.

What Will Happen if Two Bail Bonds are Obtained for Just One Person?

Posted on January 12, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Sometimes, when a person is arrested, more than one party will attempt to arrange bail bond services for them. For example, college student Lucy is arrested for public intoxication, so her sorority sisters decide to notify her parents, who then start the bail bond process for her. Meanwhile, Lucy’s boyfriend finds out about her arrest and decides to also arrange a bail bond, unaware that her parents have already done so. This is actually very common in the bail bonds industry. So what happens if more than one person tries to bail someone out of jail? Continue reading to find out!

Duplicate Bail Bonds

In the case of duplicate bail bonds, the situation pans out by process of “first come – first serve.” Jails will not accept more than one bail bond per inmate. So in the case of Lucy and her loved ones, whichever bail bond company arrives at the jail first would be the bail bond honored for her release. So let’s say her parents bail bondsman arrives first; what happens to her boyfriend’s bail bondsman and the money he may have already paid?

If Lucy’s boyfriend already paid a bail bondsman to post Lucy’s bond, he would get his money refunded since his bail bondsman could not post the bail bond. You see, bail bondsmen only get paid if the bail bond is posted. If the bail bond company cannot fulfill the service, they have not earned their pay. In Lucy’s boyfriend’s case, and all similar cases, the bail bondsman would be turned away at the jail, and the person would be refunded any money paid for a bail bond that goes un-posted.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for fast and friendly bail bonds in Marion County, Indiana. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, provides 24 hour bail bond services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. As a trustworthy Indianapolis bail bond company, you can count on us for additional services too; like notary services, jail pickup and drops offs, inmate look-ups, and more. Call 317-876-9600 to get out of Marion County Jail in Indianapolis, today.

What is a No Bail Bonds Hold?

Posted on January 6, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

When a person is arrested and taken to jail for a misdemeanor crime, in most cases, they can post bond after being processed into the jail’s data base and local legal system. But in other cases, defendants can be placed under a “no bail bonds hold” for various reasons.

Continue reading to learn what it means to be arrested and detained on a no bail bonds hold and why it happens to some people.

No Bail Bond Holds

If a person is arrested for a minor infraction or misdemeanor, and they have a relatively clean criminal record, they can generally post bond and get released from jail in as little as one hour. Depending on several variables, sometimes this applies for those arrested with more complicated criminal histories, higher misdemeanor charges, and even low felony charges.

If a person is arrested for a violent crime, serious felony crime, or has a history of fleeing, they may be denied bail all-together. But for those in between, there is a chance they could be placed under a no bail bonds hold, until a judge decides otherwise.

A “no bail bonds hold” means that a person has to see a judge before they can be released from jail on bond. They must wait in jail, or in a holding cell, for as long as it takes to get a judge to oversee their case. Depending on current jail and courthouse traffic, this could take anywhere from one to thirty days, and sometimes more.

Reasons for Bail Bonds Holds

There are several reasons why a person placed under arrest will be denied the immediate right to bail as a result of a no bail bonds hold. The primary reason for this to occur is of a person is on parole or probation. In rare cases, when a person is on probation, they may still be given the right to bail if their crimes were minor or misdemeanors. But in most cases, they will be placed under a temporary hold, like all others on probation or parole, until they see a judge. And then a judge may or may not decide to lift the hold.

Another reason for a person to be placed under temporary bail bond hold is if they committed a capital offense. Capital offenses are crimes punishable by death. Since these are the most serious crimes, a person will be immediately placed on a no bail bonds hold, and most likely be denied bail later on.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holds used to be a common reason for no bail bond holds as well, but not many counties still honor this concept for very long today. ICE holds are immigration holds for undocumented persons arrested for serious crimes. If a person were to have an ICE hold on them, they would also be placed on a no bail bonds hold in jail.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 if you or a loved one need to get bailed out of jail in Indianapolis. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, is happy to provide all the information and services you require to get out of jail, fast and safe. We provide free jail pickup and drop off services, as well as, inmate searches, estimates, and more. Open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, Woods Bail Bonds can provide bail bond services in Indianapolis and all other Indiana cities! Call 317-876-9600 for fast and friendly 24 hour bail bonds in Indiana!

Everything You Need to Know About Bail Bondsmen

Posted on December 15, 2015 by admin

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

A bail bond agent, also known as a bail bondsman, is a company or individual that will act as the middle man, and pledge money or property to the court to assure a persons’ appearance at a hearing. It is difficult to define the role of a bail agent, because they have so many, and their job can be complicated. Their roles depend on state laws, court regulations, and jail efficiency. Although difficult to define, a bail agents’ title is easy to understand when you look further into it. Continue reading to learn more about bail bondsmen and what they can do for you.

Brief History of the “Bail Bondsman”

Bounty hunting, a huge part of bail agencies operations, is illegal almost everywhere in the world, except the United States. So the practice of bail bonds is most common here in the states. When the practice of a person paying a set percentage of a bail amount to obtain the release of someone from jail, it was in San Francisco in the late 1800’s. A lot has changed for the bail bond industry since then.

Bail Agents Today

Bail bond companies have to have a set agreement with local courts, promising that they will pay the full bond amount for any person that doesn’t appear for their hearing. The bond agent charges 10% of the full bond amount to the person they are bailing out of jail. Sometimes it is a family member or friend that pays this for the defendant.

If the bail amount is $5,000, the bail company charges $500 to post their bond. If that person fails to appear for court, the bond agency owes the courts the full $5,000. However, the bail companies rarely pay this because they send bounty hunters to bring in the fugitive. Also, most bail companies have an arrangement with an insurance company, so that they will put up the money for them in such a case. This is because some bail amounts are as high as $500,000 dollars or more.

Bail agents will collect as much information about a defendant and their laypersons before agreeing take on their bond. They need to know fixed information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, place of employment, the jail they are in, and their charges. Along with this, however, they will need very important documents read and signed. For example, the Bail Indemnity Agreement, the Bail Bond Application Form, and some type of proof of purchase or receipt.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 and speak with a friendly bail bondsmen in Indianapolis, 24 hours day! Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, is capable of providing prompt and professional 24 hour bail bond services in virtually all Indiana counties. Whether you need to pre-arrange bail for an arrest warrant, or simply need to post bail after an arrest, we can help you fast! Call our licensed Indianapolis bail bondsmen at 317-876-9600 to learn more about getting out of jail with a bail bond, today.