What Happens if I Fail to Appear for Court in Indianapolis?

If you’ve been summoned to appear in criminal court, it’s important to take this matter seriously. Court hearings are mandatory and missing one can have considerable consequences. In Indiana, if you fail to appear for your criminal court hearing, you could face a contempt of court charge and hefty fines.

Continue below to learn more about Contempt of Court, including what it means, what penalties it might lead to, and more.

For Arrest Warrant Bail in Indianapolis, Call 317-876-9600 Now!
For Arrest Warrant Bail in Indianapolis, Call 317-876-9600 Now!

Criminal Contempt for Missing a Court Date

Contempt of court is a criminal charge that involves willfully disobeying or disregarding court orders. If you fail to appear, the presiding judge could find you in contempt and issue a warrant for your arrest. You might also face added charges, such as resisting arrest or failure to comply with court orders.

In addition to being held in contempt of court, failing to show up for a criminal court hearing could also result in being held liable for the full amount of your bond. If you were required to post a cash or surety bond, then you may be forced to pay it in full. If you had originally posted bail, then the court could revoke it and hold you in jail until your next appearance.

Additional Criminal Penalties for Missing Court

There are other penalties you could face as well, including fines or a suspended license. It’s also possible that the judge could increase your bond amount and require you to post it in order to receive bail. If you fail to appear for your criminal court hearing, it will be noted in court records and can impact future proceedings. Not showing up for court can be seen as an admission of guilt, so it’s important to take your criminal case seriously and follow all instructions from the court. Your best option is to contact your attorney and let them know if you cannot attend a hearing or need more time to prepare your defense.

Conclusion

Don’t take your criminal court date lightly. Failing to appear can have serious repercussions, so make sure you’re fully prepared and follow all instructions from the court. Your future could depend on it. If you do miss your court date and an arrest warrant is issued for you, consider prearranging your bail for a faster release from jail.

Ready to prearrange your release from jail in Indianapolis for your arrest warrant? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for fast and secure bail bond service in Marion County, Indiana. We offer prearranged bail bond service for probation violations, too.

Related Posts:

Tips For Dealing With an Outstanding Arrest Warrant in Marion County
What are the Consequences of Bail Jumping in Indiana?
Frequently Asked Questions About Bench Warrants

Tips For Dealing With an Outstanding Arrest Warrant in Marion County

An arrest warrant in Marion County, Indiana can be a serious matter. If you have an Indianapolis outstanding arrest warrant, it is important to take care of the situation as soon as possible. There are a few things you should know about warrants and how to deal with them. Continue below to get started.

Call 317-876-9600 For Marion County Bail Bonds!
Call 317-876-9600 For Marion County Bail Bonds!

What You Need to Know About Arrest Warrants

Warrants are typically issued when someone has failed to appear for a court date or has failed to pay a fine. If you have an outstanding warrant in Marion County, you must take action right away. The sooner you take care of the warrant, the less likely you are to face arrest or jail time.

Arrest Warrant Versus Outstanding Warrant

When it comes to law enforcement, there is a big difference between an arrest warrant and an outstanding arrest warrant.

An arrest warrant is a legal document that is issued by a judge or magistrate. Such warrants give Marion County law enforcement the authority to arrest an individual who is suspected of committing a crime. If you have an Indianapolis arrest warrant, it is important to turn yourself in to the authorities fast. If you try to hide from the law, you will only make things worse for yourself in the long run.

An outstanding arrest warrant is an arrest warrant that has not been served yet. This means that the individual named in the warrant is still at large and may be hiding from the law. If you have an outstanding arrest warrant, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can both help you surrender to the Marion County Jail and negotiate a favorable outcome in your case.

Lawyer Up After an Outstanding Warrant Arrest  

If you are arrested on an outstanding warrant, you will be taken into custody and brought to a local jail. You will then be held until your court date. If you cannot make your court date, you may be required to post bail in Marion County. In such a case, it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand the charges against you, help you prepare for your court date, and even negotiate a resolution to your case that is in your best interest.

Prearrange Your Surrender to the Marion County Jail

Contact a Marion County bail bonds company to prearrange your arrest warrant surrender and release from jail. With the help of an experienced bail bondsman, you can turn yourself in and get out of jail in as little as an hour. Just be sure to choose the right bail agent in Indianapolis for the most secure and professional bail bonds service.

Trust none other than the leading bail agents in Indiana. Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour arrest warrant bail bonds in Marion County, Indianapolis, anytime. We operate 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. Our bail bondsmen also serve Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana, providing bail in over 30 counties.

Related Posts:

The Typical Arrest Process in Marion County Indiana
How to Turn Yourself in for a Warrant in Marion County
4 Ways to Earn Bail Bond Money in Marion County Indiana

Frequently Asked Questions About Bench Warrants

Many people worry about their future after being served with bench warrant. But the outcomes that result from bench warrant proceedings are generally milder than those for arrest warrants. Nonetheless, it is important to educate yourself about the facts surrounding bench warrants to ensure that you are staying within the limits of the law, thus protecting your rights and preserving your freedoms.

Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about bench warrants that might help you achieve this level of understanding.

Bench Warrant Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600
Bench Warrant Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Bench Warrant FAQS You Need to Know

What is a Bench Warrant? Is the Same as an Arrest Warrant?

In contrast to arrest warrants, bench warrants are used for minor cases, mostly citations and similar petty infractions such as traffic tickets or j-walking. A bench warrant is issued by the courts when a person misses their trial for a minor case or infraction, also known as 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.

Do I Have to Respond to a Bench Warrant?

If you do not take care of a bench warrant responsibly and in a way that the state or county expects you to, then you could be faced with an actual arrest warrant, which would force you to surrender to the jail. To respond to a bench warrant, contact the county clerks’ office and notify them that you got the document. From there, they will make arrangements for you to appear in court or see a judge, plus pay the assigned bail.

Do I Need a Bail Bond for a Bench Warrant?

If you cannot afford to pay the bail, you may be able to hire a licensed Indiana bail bondsman to act as a surety. They will cover the full cost, but only charge you a small, nonrefundable fee. Unfortunately, most bail bondsmen will not cover bail payments for bench warrants. If you are arrested for an outstanding bench warrant, you can contact a bail bondsman in Indiana to get you out of jail. This bail bond fee would be separate from your bench warrant bail payments.

Will I Spend Time in Jail for a Bench Warrant?

Probably not, but in the case of negligence, you might. If you do not satisfy your bench warrant obligations, you will eventually have an outstanding bench warrant against you. In this case, police can arrest you on the spot if you have an encounter with them, even if something innocent. For instance, if you are rear-ended by another driver, the responding officer can take you into custody once they run your information and see that you have an outstanding bench warrant.

Do you need to surrender to an arrest warrant or get a friend out of jail? Are you looking for the easiest and fastest way to do that? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for the fastest and friendliest bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Request a free estimate or information, anytime.

Related Posts:

What is a Bench Warrant?
Do I Surrender to the Jail for a Bench Warrant?
How an Arrest Warrant Will Affect You in Indiana

The Typical Arrest Process in Marion County Indiana

Was your friend or loved one just arrested in Marion County, Indiana? Or maybe you just received notice of an arrest warrant for yourself? If so, it may be wise to review the typical judicial process in Indianapolis. Continue below to learn what to expect during the arrest, jail, bail, and court process in Marion County, Indiana. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a bonus tip on how to get out of jail faster than anyone else.

Bail Bondsman Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600
Bail Bondsman Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Getting Arrested in Marion County, Indianapolis

There are two primary ways to get arrested in Indianapolis: you can be arrested on the spot by police or you can be indicted via arrest warrant, in which case you’d be required to surrender to the jail on your own volition to be physically arrested and booked into the system. The criminal process all starts with an arrest, then proceeds through the jail, bail, and court phases.

Expected Timeline of Events

As soon as you are arrested by law enforcement, you will be driven to the Marion County police station. Once at the police station, you will be “booked and processed”, which is a colloquial phrase that describes going through a series of mundane data collection procedures, like fingerprinting and mugshots.

If you are the jail staff will not begin your booking process until you are considered sober. This is usually a wait time of 6 to 8 hours.

After completing the booking process, you will likely be given a chance to post your bail based on the state’s bail payment schedule for nonviolent misdemeanors. You can choose to pay the jail cash directly for a fraction of the cost and much faster service.

If you choose to not post your bail, you will be required to wait in jail until your initial hearing, which is called an arraignment. At your arraignment, the judge will give you a chance to enter a plea, plus set or reduce your bail. They may release you without bail, known as an OR, or being released on your own recognizance.

In the case that an arraignment is not scheduled within the first 48 hours of arrest, a bail hearing will be scheduled, or even a special hearing to address the validity of criminal charges and circumstances of bail.

Are you looking for trusted and friendly bail bond solutions in Indiana? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bond services you can trust. We also offer prearranged bail bond service for arrest warrants.

Related Posts:

How Long Does the Bail Bond Process Take?
How to Get Out of Jail After Being Wrongly Arrested in Indiana
The Best Option for Indiana Arrest Warrant Defendants

Can I Be Arrested For Making Prank Calls?

Prank calling is somewhat of a milestone we reach in our prepubescent and adolescent years. However, making prank calls as an adult can come with some legal consequences if it goes too far. Whether you can be arrested for making prank calls depends on the circumstances surrounding the phone calls and the content delivered within each call.

Continue reading to learn how one might face criminal or civil consequences for making prank calls, and what you can do if you suspect that you will soon be served an arrest warrant for a prank call that crossed the line.

Arrest Warrant Bail Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600
Arrest Warrant Bail Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

How Prank Calls Can Be a Criminal Offense

In most cases, prank calling is not a criminal matter. The majority of prank callers are children looking for a little excitement and the means to satisfy an urge to rebel. But there are cases in which prank calling violates civil rights and personal boundaries. Perpetrators of such violations may be indicted on criminal charges.

In most cases of prank calling crimes, a person is charged with harassment. Prank calling can be considered harassment if the calls are:

▶ Late at Night
▶ Ceaseless
▶ Derogatory
▶ Pejorative
▶ Intimidating
▶ Aggressive
▶ Sexual in Nature
▶ Threatening
▶ Racist

Perpetrators may also be charged with disorderly conduct, wiretapping, or even a hate crime depending on the circumstances and details of the phone calls. You can learn more about the penalties for harassment under Indiana Code Section 35-45-2-2.

Prank Call Arrest Warrants and Bail Bonds

If an individual is cited for prank calling, but they miss fail to meet the conditions of the release, such as showing up for their court hearing, prank call violators can be taken into custody via arrest warrant. Otherwise, if reported to and caught by law enforcement, a person might be issued a citation release for harassment. This could leave you facing legal penalties and a criminal record, putting a damper on your future prospects.

If you suspect that you will soon be indicted on prank call criminal charges like harassment or disorderly conduct, you have the opportunity to prearrange a bail bond, which will get you out of jail in as little as a couple of hours after surrendering to your warrant. Be sure to choose a licensed and experienced Indiana bail bond company for the fastest prearranged bail bond services around.

Not sure which bail bond company to choose for arrest warrant assistance in Indiana? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prearranged arrest warrant bail bond service in Indianapolis and all surrounding counties. We serve all of Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana.

Related Posts:

Which Type of Arrest Warrant are You Facing in Indiana?
Can I Hire a Bail Bondsman From My Jail Cell After Surrendering to a Warrant?
Do I Surrender to the Jail for a Bench Warrant?

The Fastest Way to Get Out of Jail for a Probation Violation

Violating your probation terms is a serious offense. Most probation officers, prosecutors, and courts will not be keen to accommodate you in terms of leniency after doing so. Fortunately, most violators of probation are still granted bail privileges; and if you choose the right approach, you can get you or your friend out of jail real fast.

Continue below to learn the fastest way to get out of jail for a probation violation, whether for yourself or a loved one.

Probation Violation Bail Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600
Probation Violation Bail Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Probation Violations and Bail Privileges

If you do not follow the terms and conditions set forth in your probation agreement, you will be penalized. Sometimes the penalty is minor, such as additional community service hours, fines, or probation time. In other cases, violating your probation will subject you to an arrest warrant and new criminal charges since violating probation is a crime in itself. A defendant might face jail time up to one year, or be sentenced to home detention, also known as house arrest.

In most cases of probation violations, judges will grant bail privileges. However, there are cases in which bail is denied. This usually happens when the crime is very serious, like kidnapping, sexual assault, murder, homicide, or a violent crime. It might also be the case if the defendant is a habitual offender and has several priors on their record.

How to Get Out of Jail for Violating Probation

Let’s get straight to the point: the fastest way to get out of jail after violating probation is to hire a reputable and skilled Indianapolis bail bond company. There are literally hundreds of bail bondsmen to choose from in your area, but not all of them are a trusted source for bail bond service. It is important that you choose an Indiana bail bond agent who is extensively experienced and has long, good standing relationships with the local jails and courts. These agents will be the ones who can get you released from jail the fastest.

After violating probation, you will be marked for an arrest by warrant. At this point, you should hire an Indianapolis bail bondsman to prearrange a bail bond prior to your surrender. In the case of arrest warrant surrenders, you can likely get out of jail within an hour with the right agent on your side.

If you witness a friend or loved one being arrested for a probation violation, simply contact a reputable bail bondsman and give them the details of your friend’s arrest, including the location, name, age, and anything else you know. If all you have is a name, your bail agent should be able to locate them and move forward with the bond process.

Are you wondering which Indianapolis Indiana bail bond company to trust for the fastest bail bond service around? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to speak with a friendly and experienced bail bond agent in Indianapolis, Indiana. Request a free estimate or information, anytime.

Related Posts:

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer to Get Out of Jail?
Where to Get Pre-Arrest Bail Bonds in Indiana
How to Resolve an Arrest Warrant as Fast as Possible

How to Resolve an Arrest Warrant as Fast as Possible

Arrest warrants are not something to mess around with. Many people make the grave mistake of assuming their warrant is not serious nor time-sensitive, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. If you have an arrest warrant, or outstanding arrest warrant, it is important to act now, before you begin to incur additional legal consequences.

Anyone who must surrender to an arrest warrant wants to know how to get the process over with as soon as possible. Fortunately, there is a way to do this. Continue below to find out how to resolve an arrest warrant quickly and securely.

Get Out of Jail Indianapolis Marion County 317-876-9600
Get Out of Jail Indianapolis Marion County 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds are the Fastest Way to Satisfy an Arrest Warrant

You might be asking yourself, “How can a bail bond help me turn myself in for a warrant?” Well, the answer is by prearranging your release. Many bail bond companies offer prearranged bail bond services that are reserved for those who need to surrender to an arrest warrant. Not only can this service be outsourced by you and you alone, meaning you do not have to involve anyone else in the process nor tell anyone for that matter, but it can get you in and out of jail in as little as one hour. You just have to choose the best bail bond company in Indianapolis for the job!

How to Get a Prearranged Bail Bond

Your first step to resolving an arrest warrant using prearranged bail bond service is to find a reputable bail bondsman in the county of the jail requesting your surrender. When searching for Indianapolis bail bond companies, be sure you are focusing on bail agencies with several years of experience and plenty of customer amenities, like free jail information, free rides to and from the jail (from their office), and more. These agencies will have the resources and relationships necessary to expedite your release from jail after an arrest warrant surrender.

How Prearranged Bail Bonds Work

You will visit the bail bond office and fill out all the paperwork necessary to enlist their services; this includes a legally-binding contract known as a bail agreement. At this time, you will also make your payment. Bail bond fees are nonrefundable, but priced fair, as they are regulated by the state.

The bail bondsman will take you to the jail and drop you off at the intake entrance. You will be physically arrested and booked into the jail’s system. While this is happening, your bail bondsman is posting your bail.

As soon as you are finished being processed into the jail and your bail is posted, you are free to be released. Your bail bondsman will be at the exit lot waiting for you to walk out. They will drive you back to their office where you will complete any remaining paperwork or business.

Your duty from this point is to obey the law and terms of your bail agreement, including appearing for your court date.

Do you know which company has the best reputation and delivers the fastest bail bond services around Indy? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for quick and secure bail bonds for arrest warrants in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer prearranged bail bonds and probation violation bail bonds too!

Related Posts:

Do I Surrender to the Jail for a Bench Warrant?
Which Type of Arrest Warrant are You Facing in Indiana?
How to Get Out of Jail After Being Wrongly Arrested in Indiana

Steps to Take Before and After Obtaining a Bail Bond for Someone

Bail bonds are a remarkable asset, and privilege for that matter, for anyone who needs to surrender to an arrest warrant or bail someone out of jail. In order to reap the most benefits from bail bond services, it is important to know your responsibility in the process.

Continue reading to learn which steps to take before and after obtaining a bail bond, whether for yourself or for someone else.

Bail Bond Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600
Bail Bond Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds and Alternative Options

As someone who needs to obtain a release from jail, you have more than one option to choose from. You can use a bail bond, which allows you to only pay a small percentage of the bond premium, or you can pay the jail directly, which would force you to pay the full bond premium in cash or collateral. Examples of collateral include real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, stocks, and any other liquid asset. Bail bond companies will also accept collateral as a form of payment for their services. Of course, you can skip both options and just stay in jail until your court hearing.

Do This BEFORE Contacting a Bail Bondsman

The first thing you want to do when preparing to bail yourself or someone else out of jail is gather all the necessary information you will need for the process. If you are preparing to surrender to an arrest warrant, you will need to review the arrest warrant documents to learn which county you are wanted in and the guidelines for turning yourself into authorities. If you are bailing someone else out of jail, your first duty is to find out where they are being detained and what charges.

If you know which jail the person is being detained at, it is recommended that you contact the jail and ask for the inmate’s booking number. If the person called you from jail, ask them to request their booking number from a jail staffer. If you have no way of knowing any of this information, do not worry; this is what bail bond companies do. They can gather all of this information for you, which is why bail bond services are one of the most convenient options for obtaining a release from jail.

While on the phone with the jail, ask how much the bail is set for. Again, a bail bondsman can get this information for you. If you have trouble with the task. If you have the bail amount, you can better calculate how much you will need to pay a bail bondsman for their services. Typically, the bondsman charge between 10% and 15% of the total bond premium.

For instance, if bail is set for $5000, a bail bondsman will charge a nonrefundable fee of $500 to $750 for their services. Bail bond fees are not refunded back once the defendant appears for court. If you choose to pay the jail directly, although you pay the entire bond premium upfront, you are refunded the money back, so long as the defendant appears for court as scheduled. This is known as a cash bond.

Before contacting a bail bondsman, all you really need to know is where the person is Once you have held or where you are wanted for an arrest warrant surrender. The location is really the most important piece of information to have for the bail bond agent.

Do This AFTER Getting a Bail Bond

Once you have hired a bail bondsman, you will be required to fill out a series of paperwork including a bail bond agreement, which is a legally binding contract. If you are bailing someone else out of jail, you will be responsible for paying back the remaining bond premium if that person does not appear for court. This is called bail jumping, and it is a moderately serious offense. So, using the using the example before, if you paid $500 for a bail bond to get someone out of jail, you will have to pay back the remaining $4500 if they skip their court appearance, known as bail forfeiture.

After you’ve filled out all of your paperwork. All you have to do is wait for the bail bondsman to do the job. This can take anywhere from 1 hour to 8 hours or more, depending on certain variables. For example, if the person you are bailing out of jail was arrested under the influence of alcohol, they will not be eligible for release until they are deemed sober, which is generally between 6 to 8 hours. A bail bondsman cannot get them out of jail sooner. It is recommended to just wait 6 to 8 hours before attempting to bail someone out of jail who was arrested while intoxicated. Other variables include the number of jail staff available, the current traffic at the jail, and the same variables within the court.

Are you looking for a trusted bail bond agency in Central Indiana who can help you get your loved one, out of jail or surrendered to an arrest warrant? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for the fastest and friendliest bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Request a free estimate or information, anytime.

Related Posts:

Do I Have to Check In With My Bail Bondsman After Being Released From Jail?
Is it Free to Look Someone Up in Jail?
Can I Get Bailed Out of Jail on a Federal Charge?

What is Bail Forfeiture?

Forfeiting bail is not something you want to do if you have just been bailed out of jail. Also known as bail forfeiture, failing to appear for court is a violation, and one that comes with additional penalties. Continue below to learn what you need to know about FTA’s and forfeiting bail, including how to resolve the mistake of missing court after bailing out of jail.

Bail Bondsman Marion County Indiana 317-876-9600
Bail Bondsman Marion County Indiana 317-876-9600

Do Not Miss Court After an Arrest

Whether you use a bail bond to get out of jail or paid the jail directly, you do not want to miss your court date. Failing to appear for court, also known as an FTA, is a violation of your bail agreement. When you post bail, you are agreeing to appear for court in return for being released in the meantime. So, when you do not show up for your court date, you have welshed on your promise to the jail, court, and bail bondsman.

Penalties for Failing to Appear (FTA)

The first penalty you can expect from failing to appear for court is bail forfeiture. This means that you forfeit your bail privileges and must return to jail while awaiting your upcoming, scheduled court hearings. Generally, an arrest warrant is issued for an absent defendant. The defendant is required to turn themselves into authorities at the local jail to resolve their legal matters. Additionally, FTAs cause defendants to forfeit their bail money. This can happen in more than one way depending on the method used to bail out of jail.

Failing to Appear on a Bail Bond

If a person hires a bail bondsman to get them out of jail, they pay only a fraction of their bail premium. The bail bondsman covers the rest. When the person appears for court, the bail bondsman gets their money back. If the person fails to show up for court, they are legally responsible for paying back the money fronted by the bail bondsman, and in full. For example, if a defendant’s bail is set at $5000 and the bail agent charges a 10% fee, the defendant will pay $500 for bail bond services. But if they fail to appear for court, they must pay back the remaining $4500 in cash or collateral.

FTA’s and Cash Bonds

If a person foregoes the opportunity to hire a bail bondsman and instead pays the jail directly using a cash bond, they will have to pay for their entire bail premium out of their own pocket. Using the example above, this means the defendant would pay $5000 in cash or collateral to the jail. Once they appear for court, they will receive this money back in full. However, if they do not show up for court, they forfeit this money and do not get it back. Now that’s a serious consequence.

Criminal Penalties for FTAs

There are also potential criminal penalties for failing to appear for court after being bailed out of jail. These penalties differ among jurisdiction, but primarily involve fines and court ordered community service. It might also include jail time or additional misdemeanor charges.

Are you looking for a local bail bond company in Marion County that can get you or your loved one, out of jail faster than all the rest? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for fast and secure bail bond service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties.

Related Posts:

The Responsibilities of a Bail Bond Contract
What are the Consequences of Bail Jumping in Indiana?
Do I Surrender to the Jail for a Bench Warrant?