Do I Need a Bail Bond for a Bench Warrant?

Bench warrants can be confusing, especially to someone who does not have a criminal past. If you have just discovered that there is a bench warrant ordered against you or a loved one, it is time to start learning the facts, including what to do, how to do it, and where to take your first step. One of the most frequently asked questions regarding bench warrants is whether or not a bail bond will need to be arranged.

Continue reading to learn the answer to this common question, as well as, additional information about bench warrants.

Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600
Indiana Bench Warrant Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Bench Warrant Basics

No one likes the idea, or worse, possibility, of spending even one minute in jail. So, it is natural for a bench warrant defendant to immediately wonder whether or not they need to secure a bail bond in order to get out of jail as fast as possible. Prearranged bail bonds are a service often used for those facing arrest warrants. Prearranging bail bond service can speed up the surrender, booking, and release process. In many cases, the acting bail bondsman can drop the client off at the jail, and then pick them back up once they have been released on bail.

Arrest Warrants and Bail

As for bench warrants, a bail bond is not usually necessary. Although often confused with one another, arrest warrants and bench warrants are very different. Arrest warrants are ordered against defendants for serious criminal cases. They guarantee an arrest at some point in time, whether through a voluntary surrender to authorities, or an unanticipated arrest.

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.

The Exception to the Rule

The exception to needing a bail bondsman to get you out of jail for a bench warrant is if the warrant goes outstanding. 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.

Where to Get Fast Prearranged Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, 24 hour bail bond services in Indianapolis and throughout Central 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. We provide all Local, State, and National bonds, and serve over 30 Indiana counties. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bondsman
Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

What You Might Not Know About the Bail Bond Industry

It isn’t really common to do any type of research about bail bonds unless a person is actually in need of one. When put in a stressful situation, such as having the responsibility of bailing someone out of jail, or even surrendering to an arrest warrant yourself, the obligation to learn the facts about the industry can overwhelm even the calmest person. However, this proactive approach is also very wise, and helpful. Although you can find endless information regarding the basics of the bail bond industry, there are many facts that are more difficult to come by.

Continue reading to learn what you might not know, or discover, about bail bonds, that will help you get yourself or a loved one out of jail, faster.

Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Bail is Not Always an Option

Not all judges grant a person bail after an arrest. For instance, some crimes are not eligible for bail, such as murder. Also, someone who has attempted to flee or evade law enforcement, or escape from prison, might be denied bail privileges. See our blog, “When a Judge Might Deny Your Bail” to learn reasons why a person might not be given the option to post their bail with a bail bond.

Bail Bonds Require a Co-Signer

If you are bailing someone out of jail using a bail bond, you will be required to sign a contract that holds you liable for their full bail amount if they violate any part of the bail bond agreement. So, if you sign the agreement, and then the person fails to show up for court, not only do you not get a refund on the price of the bail bond service, you are legally mandated to pay the courts the FULL bail amount, which is usually in the high thousands. If you are surrendering to an arrest warrant, you will need to have a co-signer to ensure you show up for court.

There is an Amendment About Bail

The 8th Amendment of the Unites States Constitution decrees that every citizen is protected against excessive and unfair bail. So, even though a judge has the discretion to deny bail, they cannot set a person’s bail excessively high, nor impose any cruel and unusual punishments. See our blog, “Which Amendment Has To Do With Bail?” to learn more about this right.

Bail Amounts are Pre-Set

Judges have the discretion to deny bail, and they are prohibited by law to set bail excessively, but in most cases, judges do not set the bail amounts. Most states have bail schedules with predetermined bond amounts for certain categories of crimes. For instance, shoplifting might come with an automatic bail schedule of $1000, while domestic violence might have a $10,000 bond or more. The more serious the crime, the higher the bond amount set by the judge.

Call Woods Bail Bonds of Central Indiana to Get Out of Jail

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 if you or a loved one needs bailed out of jail anywhere in Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana. Right now, we are offering Indianapolis bail bonds as low as 8% for those who qualify. Our offices operate on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, and in over 30 Indiana counties. There is never a time that we don’t have a licensed bail agent standing by to take your call. Get started with a free quote and jail information, today.

The Difference Between Bail Bond Services and Arrest Warrant Services

Not all bail bond agencies are alike, but in Indiana, there services they offer are relatively the same across the board. The two primary types of services offered by local bail bond companies are bail bond services and arrest warrant services. Continue reading to learn more about each type of bail bondsman service offered, and how they can help you get out of jail, fast.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bail Bond Services

It should be obvious that all bail bondsmen can offer their community bail bonds. Bail bonds are basically a financial contract to bail a person from jail on the understanding that if they fail to appear for their court hearing, they forfeit the entire bond amount. The courts mandate how much a person’s bond is after an arrest and a bail bondsman will cover that amount for a non-refundable service fee. If the person misses their court date, they will have a warrant issued for their arrest and ordered to pay the bail bondsman back the entire bond amount. On average, these can range anywhere from $500 to $20,000, and sometimes more. This is why it is never good to skip a court hearing when out on bail. See our blog, “What are the Indiana Bail Bond Rules?” to learn how bail is set, and how much you can expect to pay for bail bond services.

Arrest Warrant Services

If an arrest warrant is issued for a person’s arrest, they are expected to turn themselves in within a permitted amount of time, or the warrant will turn outstanding. Having an outstanding arrest warrant is bad news because it can hinder a person’s quality of life in many ways. They cannot pass a background check for a new job, obtain a drivers’ license, file tax returns, gain admittance into school, and much more. All databases will be alerted of an outstanding arrest warrant, including local law enforcement.

If stopped by police, even just for speeding or a broken taillight, a person with an arrest warrant will be detained and taken to jail on the spot. A reputable bail bond company should be able to offer services for arrest warrants. Hiring a bail bondsman before turning yourself in can ensure a fast and speedy process through the jail. With a bond already in place, a person can be released from jail right after being processed. A good bail bonds agent can obtain a person’s release for a warrant in as little as a few hours.

Where to Get Secure Bail Bonds in Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana

Call Woods Bail Bonds main headquarters at 317-876-9600 if you or a loved one needs bailed out of jail anywhere in Indiana. Our licensed Indiana bail bondsmen 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. Best of all, we are currently offering 8% bail bond rates! We 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.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Can I Get Bailed Out of Jail if I Turn Myself in for Bank Fraud?

Bank fraud, like any type of fraud, is categorized as a white collar crime, all of which are very serious charges. Here in Indiana, fraud offenses are charged as either misdemeanors or Level 6 felonies, depending on the details surrounding a defendant’s case. Anyone charged with fraud in Indiana may also face large fines, imprisonment, probation, community service, rehabilitation, and other severe penalties.

As for bank fraud, it is important to hire a lawyer as soon as you step foot out of jail, so that you may get a head start on your defense. Most often, those who are charged with bank fraud are not arrested on the spot. Instead, it is common procedure to issue a warrant for their arrest. In this case, a defendant has the choice to wait until they are apprehended by law enforcement, which is not recommended, or to turn themselves into authorities.

Hesitation often gets the best of arrest warrant recipients out of fear that they will not be able to post their bond. After all, no one want to stay in jail until their hearing. But can a person who is surrendering to an arrest warrant for bank fraud charges given the same bail rights as everyone else? Continue reading to find out.

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bank Fraud Charges and Penalties

The most common types of bank fraud crimes include check tampering, debit card fraud, account identity theft, stolen checks, gift card fraud, opening multiple accounts in an attempt to defraud, making insufficient deposits to cover debits, using a false identity to open accounts, counterfeiting checks, knowingly writing bad checks, and loan fraud.

Bank fraud is charged as a Level 6 Felony in Indiana. In order for a bank fraud charge to turn into a conviction, two facts must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court: 1) a defendant knowingly carried out a scheme to defraud a bank or other financial institution; 2) a defendant knowingly carried out a scheme to gain financial assets in the possession of a bank or other financial institution.

Bail for Bank Fraud Arrest Warrants

According to the Bill of Rights, our 8th 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.” So, if you must surrender to an arrest warrant issued for bank fraud charges, you should be granted bail.

In order to get out of jail as fast as possible after turning yourself in, you need to choose a skilled and knowledgeable bail bond company that offers prearranged bail bond services. You can meet with them at their office, prepare and complete all the necessary paperwork, and then ride with them to the jail to surrender. Once you are booked and processed, the bail bond agent can post your bond. From there, they will pick you up and take you back to their office, where you can simply finish up and drive home! Experienced bail bondsmen can sometimes get this done in as little as one hour.

Where to Get Fast Prearranged Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

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. We provide all Local, State, and National bonds, and serve over 30 Indiana counties. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Questions That Start With “Will I Be Denied Bail if”

Are you facing an arrest warrant in a nearby county? If so, your top priority should be to resolve your current legal matters as soon as possible; before they can develop into a more serious situation with more severe penalties. One of the most common reasons why many people evade arrest warrants is due to the risk of not being able to get out of jail. With work, school, and family responsibilities, being denied bail is one of the biggest fears among defendants of arrest warrants.

Before you make any assumptions about your potential for being granted bail following your surrender to a warrant, it is helpful to educate yourself on the general outcomes that take place under common circumstances.

Continue reading to review some frequent questions that begin with, “Will I Be Denied Bail If.”

Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Will I Be Denied Bail if….

I Have a Criminal History?

For those with criminal histories, the fear of having to remain in custody is a real one. Often times, habitual offenders are granted bail, but at much higher amounts. It is also possible for a court to deny a person bail if they are a repeat offender of serious crimes, such as ones that involve violence or bodily harm.

I am Charged With a Violent Crime?

As mentioned above, if you are arrested or wanted for a violent crime, there is a chance that a judge will refuse to set bail. If a person is considered a danger to themselves or to others, they will be denied bail, and forced to wait in custody until their scheduled hearing. If you are charged with assault or domestic battery, and do not have a history of violence, you will likely be granted bail, albeit, it might be high.

I Have Warrants in Multiple Counties?

When you are surrendering to an arrest warrant, you are surrendering solely to that particular county you are wanted in. If you have other warrants in other counties, even if they are adjacent, it will not affect your current county arrest warrant surrender process. Unless you are wanted by the feds, each county will separately arrest you and prosecute you, accordingly.

I am Legally Indigent?

Whether you have money or not for a lawyer does not impact your potential for bail. However, if you cannot afford to pay your bail, nor have no collateral to cover it, you will be forced to remain in custody until your scheduled hearing.

I am on Probation?

When you are charged with a new offense while on probation, you can expect to be in more trouble than you typically would be if you were not on probation. However, this would not likely affect a judge’s decision to set bail for you; that is, unless you are wanted on multiple charges of violent crimes.

Where to Get Fast and Affordable Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

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.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Basic Bail Bond Terms For First Timers

If you need to surrender to an arrest warrant, or bail someone out of jail for the first time, your best asset is knowledge. Knowing some important industry terms can help you understand the process in a clearer sense, and therefore reduce any stress or ambiguity involved in obtaining a release from jail.

Below are the most commonly used terms spoken in the everyday bail bond business.  Familiarize yourself with these terms, and you are one step closer to being prepared for such a situation.

24 Hour Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
24 Hour Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bail

Bail is often confused with “bail bond”. They are, in fact, separate terms. Bail refers to the amount of money the court assigns to a case that will allow the defendant to be released from jail, to await their future court dates. Bail can be anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Bail amounts depend on many variables. They are determined by the defendant’s criminal history, the charges against them, and the level of flight risk they may be. 

Bail Bond

A bail bond is the actual item that a person needs to obtain to be released from jail while awaiting their court dates. To be “bonded” out of jail requires the assistance of a bail bondsman or a bail agency. They will be able to make a deal with the court by guaranteeing the appearance of the defendant at their court date. If the defendant fails to appear, then the bail agency is responsible for the entire bond amount. The defendant is only required to pay a small percentage of the full bail amount to receive the services of a bail agency and be released from jail. That percent is usually between 10-15%, depending on the state. 

Bail Bondsman

A bail bondsman is simply the conductor of bail bonds. They are the men, women, and companies that facilitate the process of obtaining a bail bond and gaining a release for a person in jail.

Bail Hearing

After an individual is in detention, a bail hearing is scheduled to decide whether or not they are a flight risk, as well as, set the bail, or deny it altogether if they are considered a flight risk.

Bail Schedules

Most states have bail schedules with predetermined bond amounts for certain categories of crimes. For instance, shoplifting might come with an automatic bail schedule of $1000, while domestic violence might have a $10,000 bond or more. The more serious the crime, the higher the bond amount set by the judge.

Prearranged Bail

Most bail bondsmen offer prearranged bail bond services for those who need to surrender to an arrest warrant. All you have to do is contact a local bail agent in the county of your warrant, and they will take you through the entire process, start to finish. They may even give you a ride to and from the jail.

Surety Bonds

The most common type of money bail used in today’s court systems are actually surety bonds, which are more colloquially known as bail bonds. If using a surety bond, a person would pay a third party (a bail bond company) a state-regulated fee that is a derived percentage of the total bail amount set forth by the judge. This means that the fee will not vary in percentage, but it will vary in cost from person to person depending on how high the judge sets their bail.

Cash Bonds

Cash bonds involve only two parties: the jail and the client. Again, the client can be the actual defendant or a friend or family member of the defendant. In a cash bond scenario, the defendant pays their set bond amount in cash directly to the jail to get released. So long as they appear for their court hearing, they receive the money back in full; if they do not show up for court, they surrender the money entirely. Not many people have $5,000 or $10,000 in cash laying around, so they cannot afford to use a cash bond.

Collateral

Collateral refers to a person’s assets that can be translated into cash, and thus, adequate to secure a debt. A person will provide collateral in exchange for a service (such as a bail bond), and if they cannot cover the terms and conditions of the contract (a bail bond agreement), they will forfeit their collateral, and the service provider (a bail bond agent) will still be able to collect financial restitution for the value of the collateral. If the payee does meet the terms and conditions of the contract, the provider returns all collateral once the case is closed.

8th Amendment Rights

According to the Bill of Rights, our 8th 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.”

See our BAIL GLOSSARY for a comprehensive list of bail bond terms and definitions.

Where to Get Cheap Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, FAST

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. 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!

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

How to Quickly Get Someone Out of Jail in Seymour Indiana

Was your friend or loved one just arrested in Seymour, Indiana? Or perhaps they need to surrender to an arrest warrant? If so, you are likely very eager to get them out as soon as possible. After all, the sooner they are free, the less consequences they will endure, like missing out on work, school, and family time. But there is only one way you can obtain a speedy release from Jackson County Jail, and that is to call the leading Seymour bail bondsmen office of Woods Bail Bonds.

Continue below to learn how to get someone out of jail quickly with the help of Woods Bail Bonds!

Seymour Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600
Seymour Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Jackson County Jail Bail Bonds

Getting out of jail in Seymour, Indiana has never been faster! Our outstanding relationship with the courthouses and jails throughout the state of Indiana allows us to work quicker at people bailed out of Jackson County Jail. Best of all, we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. There is literally never a time that we aren’t standing by to take your call. We even work on National Holidays!

Woods Bail Bonds already has an outstanding reputation for fast, safe, and secure bail bond service in Jackson County, but with a downloadable bail bond request form, we make their services even faster! We also offer pre-arranged bail bonds for arrest warrants, and provide free rides to the jail for arrest warrant turn-ins. On top of arrest warrant bail bonds and general bail bonds, we also offer probation violation bail bonds, and much more!

Why Choose Us?

Woods Bail Bonds retains decades of experience in the local bail bond industry, and continues to maintain a reputation for respectful and reliable service. Our Jackson County bail agents provide various bail bond services, including inmate searches, surrenders to arrest warrants, free jail information, and much more. We work with state and federal bonds, as well as, property bonds, immigration bonds, collateral bonds, and more. Right now, we are offering our rates as low as 8% of your set bail.

Woods Bail Bonds already has an outstanding reputation for fast, safe, and secure bail bond service, but with a downloadable bail bond request form, we make their services even faster! We also offer pre-arranged bail bonds for arrest warrants, and provide complimentary rides to the jail for arrest warrant turn-ins. On top of arrest warrant bail bonds and general bail bonds, we also offer probation violation bail bonds, and much more!

How to Get Started

Right now, Woods Bail Bonds is currently offering 8% bail bonds in Seymour, Indiana. This is the lowest rate in years, and only available here! That means you only pay 8% of your total bond amount, rather than the standard 10 to 15% rates required across the state. In order to qualify for this low rate, you must meet certain criteria. Call 317-876-9600 to talk to a friendly and knowledgeable Jackson County bail bondsman to learn if you can qualify for 8% bail bonds in Indiana!

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Which Type of Bail Bond Do You Need?

Did you know there are multiple types of bail bonds? It’s true; aside from the conventional bail bond you use to get out of jail, there are additional bond options that you may or may not qualify for. Continue reading to review some of the more common types of bail bonds offered in Indiana, and learn which one will best suit your needs for getting yourself or a loved one out of jail.

24 Hour Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
24 Hour Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

The Importance of Bail

There are several ways bail bonds help people.  Having the chance to leave jail and await a court hearing from the comfort of their own home can increase the chances of a person improving their legal situation. You see, when a person is arrested, they are taken to jail to await their court hearing.  Depending on the amount of traffic in the jail, and the type of crime the person was arrested for, court dates can be scheduled days, weeks, or even months away from the date of arrest.

So, if a person cannot gain a release from jail before their court date is scheduled, they are forced to stay incarcerated until then. If this happens, not only must a person make certain arrangements for kids, work, school, and all other important personal matters, they also have to make arrangements for their legal situation or use the court appointed legal counselor for representation in court. Neither scenarios are desirable. Fortunately, bail bonds offer some relief. So, always use a bail bondsman to get out of jail.

Here are the Most Common Types of Bail Bonds:

☑ Property Bonds

These types of bonds are used when someone does not have the cash to bail themselves out of jail; so instead, they put up some of their property.  This can be a house, car, or anything of value that has the equivalent value of the bond.  These bonds are not always available and different from state to state.  If the person shows up for their hearing, then the property is released back to them, as if it were just collateral.  If the person does not show up for their scheduled hearing, then the courts begin to repossess their property, and often times, auctions it off for money.

☑ Surety Bonds

A surety bond is more commonly called a bail bond.  It is the type of bond used in most states to promise the release of someone in jail.  In most cases, the bail agency will charge a standard rate, usually 10% of the full bond amount.  If the total bond amount is $10,000, then you pay a non-refundable service fee of $1,000 to get that person released from jail.  If the person does not show up for the scheduled court date, the bail agency is required to pay the full bail amount for them, unless they can find the defendant who jumped bail, and return them to the courts.  These people are called bounty hunters, and really do exist. 

☑ Release on Your Own Recognizance (OR’d)

This is usually for first time offenders and very minor charges, like unpaid traffic tickets.  This is when the federal law allows a person to be released from jail without bail, under the agreement that they will show up for their scheduled court date, and avoid any more illegal activity.

☑ Citation Release

This is for very minor charges like j-walking.  It is a strategy also used by many county jails to avoid over population issues.  Instead of being arrested and taken to jail, the police officer will issue you a citation or ticket, obligating you to show up for court.  In this situation, a person is free to carry on with their day, but attend a future court date and probably ordered to pay a fine.

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. We provide all Local, State, and National bonds, and serve over 30 Indiana counties. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

What Became of Indiana’s Bail Bond Relief Pilot Program?

A few years ago, the Indiana Supreme Court issued Criminal Rule 26, which encouraged state courts to let low-risk offenders out of jail without bail. Soon after, several Indiana counties initiated an experimental risk-assessment program regarding the value and efficiency of local bail. Known as Indiana’s Bail Bond Relief Pilot Program, the pretrial release test was intended to evaluate whether or not arrested individuals should be required to post bail while awaiting trial. In 2017, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill asking all Indiana courts to implement evidence-based risk assessment rules by 2020. This means the program is set to go statewide this year, making it pertinent news to us right now.

Continue reading to learn more about this piloted reform program, and how it can affect your county’s bail regulations and requirements.

Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Indiana’s Pretrial Release Program

Between June 2016 and October 2017, eleven Indiana counties launched a progressive pretrial release program intended to take a different approach to those arrested and awaiting trial. Under the Indiana bail reform pilot program, rather than setting bail for someone who has been arrested, a judge would consider and apply certain risk assessments in order to determine whether or not a defendant should be detained in custody or allowed to go home on the vow to return for their upcoming court date.

The desired outcome from this experimental program was to reduce jail overcrowding, namely the occupancy of low-risk or non-violent inmates. In turn, this program should save taxpayers a lot of money, and therefore, helps support our local economic wealth. More importantly, it is deemed a more humane and rational way to deal with low-risk offenders, especially those who are low-income or below the state poverty level, and who might have trouble affording bail.

Why It Might Not Be Worth It

Many argued that this program was too risky since it could potentially set free dangerous criminals who will commit more crimes before their next court date. Bail bondsmen argued that this reform might work fine for minor offenders, but in the long run, it will cost taxpayers more money searching for those who still skip bail. Bail bond services guarantee the appearance of offenders, therefore saving taxpayer money in terms of law enforcement labor and more.

So, what has been the outcome of Indiana’s Bail Bond Relief Pilot Program so far?

It’s hard to say how long it will last, especially since much of the data was not properly recorded before the program was initiated. It is difficult to evaluate the progress of FTA rates (failure to appear) when counties did not monitor them before. On the other hand, some counties reported lower FTA rates. According to Hendricks county’s court administrator, Catherine Haines, FTA rates have dropped 9% since the program began. In counties like Hamilton and Hendricks, those released without bail are setup to receive email, phone calls, and even SMS messages to remind them of upcoming court dates.

11 Indiana counties partook in the pretrial release program:

⮞ Porter County – Valparaiso, IN
⮞ Hamilton County – Noblesville, Fishers, Carmel, IN
⮞ Hendricks County – Danville, IN
⮞ Allen – Fort Wayne, IN
⮞ Bartholomew – Columbus, IN
⮞ Grant – Marion, IN
⮞ Jefferson – Madison, IN
⮞ Monroe – Bloomington, IN
⮞ St. Joseph – South Bend, IN
⮞ Starke – Knox, IN
⮞ Tipton – Tipton, IN

Bail Bond Services Will Always Be Necessary in Indiana

Not all arrests are minor, and not all Indiana counties are on board with pretrial releases. So, you can still find yourself in jail and in need of bail assistance. If you are arrested in Indianapolis, call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9800 to get out of jail fast. We offer 24 hour bail bond services for all arrests, and can even prearrange a bail bond if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant. Best if all, our licensed bail bondsmen serve more than 30 Indiana counties, regardless of time, day, or city. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Did Your Friend Get Arrested on Christmas in Indiana?

There is nothing worse than a ruined holiday, and nothing can ruin a holiday faster than an arrest. After all, ‘tis the season to be merry, not incarcerated. However, everyone is vulnerable to making mistakes and might even end up in jail for them. In fact, the number of arrests here in Indiana increase during holidays, especially national ones like Christmas. If your friend or loved one is currently in jail after being arrested on Christmas Eve or Christmas, you can quickly get them out with a few simple steps. They true key to a fast release from jail is hiring a local and trusted Indiana bail bondsman. In fact, that is your very first step.

Continue reading to learn how to get your friend or loved one out of jail in Central Indiana using a bail bond.

Indianapolis Christmas Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indianapolis Christmas Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Most Bail Bond Services are 24/7/365

Regardless of what day your loved one was arrested on, you can start the process of a bail bond right away. Most bail bond companies operate on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, including national holidays. Here is what you need to do to get someone out of jail after they were arrested on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day:

🎄 Your First Step

Hire a local bail bond company that serves the county in which your friend or loved one was arrested in. Even if a bail bond company is not headquartered in the county of arrest, they likely still serve that area. Larger, more experienced bail bondsmen keep a broad service area in Central Indiana. See our blog, “Qualities to Look For When Choosing a Bail Bond Service” to learn how to hire a reputable bail bondsman near you.

🎄 Your Second Step

Prepare as much information as you can about your loved one and their arrest to give to your Indiana bail bondsman. Although this step is not entirely necessary since bail bondsmen tend to have the resources and technologies to locate this information themselves, to speed the process up a bit, you can have the information ready and organized before you make a call to a bail bondsman. See our blog, “Information to Have Ready for a Bail Bondsman” for a complete list of data and documents you should prepare to bring to the bail bond office.

🎄 Your Next Step

Go to your scheduled bail bond appointment on time. Once you arrive at the bail bond office, you will turn over all of the information you have prepared for them. At the same time, the bail bondsman will have you fill out a series of paperwork, including a contract that obligates you as a co-signer to certain legal and financial liabilities. See our blog, “The Responsibilities of a Bail Bond Contract” to fully understand the risk you take on when posting someone’s bail in Indiana.

🎄 Your Final Step

At your appointment, you will be required to provide payment for their services. The cost of a bail bond depends on how much bail was set at by the judge. The Indiana Department of Insurance regulates how much bail bond companies can charge for a bail bond, so no company can charge more or less than the state standard. Generally, this standard is set between 10% and 15%, but right now in Indiana, companies can go as low as 8% if they choose. So, if your loved one’s bail is set at $5,000 and the bail agent charges 10% for their service, you would pay $500 for a bail bond. This fee is not refunded.

How to Get a Quick Bail Bond in Indiana

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. And don’t forget that right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600