How Long Does it Take to Get Out of Jail?

Posted on June 23, 2014 by James Woods

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

This is a very vague question, but popular none-the-less. Every person that gets arrested, or has an arrest warrant, wants to know how long it will take to go to jail, be processed, and get bailed out or released. The answer to this inquiry varies, greatly. The amount of time it takes to get out of jail is mostly inconsistent because it depends on various factors. In general, there are time ranges that can be appointed to different types of arrests. To learn these, continue reading and then contact a local and trusted
bail bond agent for assistance and information.

Infraction, Misdemeanor, or Felony Arrest

There are three different categories of criminal offenses; infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. If arrested for a felony, bail is generally denied; especially if the defendant is a repeat offender. Some cases, a lawyer can get a court to grant bail for a felony arrest. It is not likely though. An infraction is the least serious criminal offense, usually resulting in a small fine. Examples of infractions include traffic tickets and violations, j-walking, and other equally non-serious criminal disobedience’s.

Misdemeanors are the middle-of-the-road criminal offenses, often times resulting in an arrest and subsequent penalties; such as fines, probation, court hearings, community services, and more. Infractions do not call for jail time; but misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail depending on the nature of the crime and a defendant’s criminal history.

Misdemeanor arrests include transgressions like operating a vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol, assault, battery, shoplifting, vandalism, trespassing, and more. So when it comes to jail time for the actual offense committed, a prosecutor and judge will eventually decide a sentence through a succession of court hearings. As for getting out of jail after being initially arrested for a misdemeanor, it really depends on three factors.

The amount of traffic inside a jail, the behavior of a detainee, and the sobriety of a detainee will determine how long it takes to make bail after an arrest. If a person is arrested on intoxication charges, or arrested under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they cannot be legally process, let alone discharged, until they are completely sober. The standard wait time is 8 hours to ensure sobriety. So if you are arrested under the influence, you have to wait at least 8 hours before being processed and booked by the jail staff. Once this is done, you should be eligible for bail. If a person is arrested sober, they can immediately get bailed out as soon as they are done being processed and booked. The amount of time this takes depends on the next two factors.

If a jail is extremely busy, or understaffed, it will take longer for the jail staff to get every inmate booked and processed into the database. If a jail staff is particularly moody one day, they may also take longer; whereas, they may work much faster if in good spirits and well-staffed. These variables all contribute to the speed at which a person can get out of jail. If the jail is slow or amply-staffed, it may be as little as one hour for a sober detainee to be released from jail!

Bad behavior is one of the most common factors that contribute to the amount of time a person has to wait in order to get out of jail. Disorderly conduct, foul language, aggression, disobedience, and more can all get a person put in solitary confinement. This means waiting hours longer to be approved for processing and booking. Being rude and defiant with jail staff and police will get a person nowhere, fast. The best way to get out of jail as soon as possible is to sober up, be respectful, and wait your turn patiently. The next step is calling a respected and professional bail bondsman.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call James Woods, owner and operator of Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can reach him or o of his highly trained and licensed bail agents at 317-876-9600, day or night. We offer fast and friendly bail bonds, free jail information, inmate look-ups, jail pickup services, jail drop-off services, 24 hour emergency bail bond services, and more! No matter what time of day or night, Woods Bail Bonds can get you or our loved one out of jail, fast! Just call 317-876-9600 and speak with a friendly and honest Indianapolis bail bondsman about getting out of jail in Indiana, today.

Can I Get Bailed Out of Jail on a Felony Charge?

Posted on June 20, 2014 by James Woods

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

When a person is arrested for a felony crime, they are always asking about their bail options. No one wants to stay in jail a minute longer than they have to, which is why they rely on prompt bail services to release them from custody. Although they differ from state to state, laws surrounding felony arrests, and bail terms and conditions are adequately straight forward.

Violent or serious crimes committed by individuals will not be permitted bail at all; while non-violent felony crimes might. It all depends on various circumstances surrounding a crime and a case.

Let’s take a deeper look at what permits and denies bail in the case of felony arrests and charges.

Felony Bail

When it comes to approving bail for a person arrest for a felony crime, the court look and consider several different factors. They need to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crime and the histories of the defendant. As mentioned before, violent crimes are almost always denied bail; such as murder, rape, sex crimes, assault, arson, substantial drug or narcotic possession, and more. Crimes that do not involve a person getting hurt or a large amount of drugs, bail is likely permitted but conditional.

Courts consider the following factors in a felony bail hearing:

1. The Defendant’s Criminal Record and Histories
2. The Seriousness of the Crime Committed
3. The Probability of the Defendant Harming Someone or Committing a Crime if Released
4. The Probability of the Defendant Fleeing Once Released
5. A Defendants Reputation Within their Community (i.e. Employment, Friends, Family Contacts, etc.)

Bail is almost always granted in the case of misdemeanor and non-violent felony crimes; but bail is always conditional on the above factors and more no matter what. For more information about bail terms and conditions for felons and felony arrests, contact a local Indianapolis Bail Bondsman for accurate industry answers.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds Indiana 317-876-9600

Call James Woods, owner and operator of Woods Bail Bonds, at 317-876-9600 for information about felony bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana. He and his team of highly trained and licensed bail bondsmen are ready and waiting to get you or a loved one out of jail, fast! We offer prompt and punctual bail bond services and more! We also provide free quotes, jail pick up services, jail drop off services, arrest warrant bail, prearranged bail bonds, notary services, and much more! Our friendly bail bond agents provide services all throughout the state in several Indiana counties! Call 317-876-9600 and speak with an Indianapolis bail bonds representative and get a speedy release from jail today!

Bail Bond Terms and Definitions

Posted on May 22, 2014 by James Woods

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Terms on the topic of law enforcement, courts, trials, charges, and more can all be very confusing for a first-time criminal. It is important for anyone arrested or suspected of a crime to fully understand the proceedings of the law and what to expect. One must educate themselves on the law and the terms used to describe the circumstances in which they face. The initial step in learning how to understand legal and jail jargon is to catch up on some basic terms and definitions commonly used.

Below is a list of terms you should be familiar with if you or a loved one has been arrested, convicted, charged, or suspected of a crime.

Bail Bond Glossary

Arrest

Individuals that have committed a crime are arrested and taken to the county jail by law enforcement. They are detained in jail until they can make bail or go to court.

Jail

County detention center where criminals are detained under law; either serving a sentence or awaiting trial.

Inmate

A person that is detained in jail for committing a crime; either serving time or awaiting trial.

Bail

Money paid in place of an inmate’s temporary release from jail while awaiting their initial hearing. Individuals who deposit the bail take on the responsibility of the inmate. They have to forfeit the money paid if the inmate fails to appear for their hearing.

Bail Bond

A written contract used to release an inmate from legal custody, usually between a bail bondsman and/or other surety; but only upon the guarantee that an inmate appear for their scheduled court hearing. If they fail to appear, the bail bondsman or guarantor forfeits the money paid for their release from jail. If the inmate shows for their hearing, the guarantor or surety receives their money deposit back in full.

Bail Bondsman

A person or company that acts as a surety and pledges the full bond amount to the courts in trade for an inmate’s release from jail; on the guarantee that the inmate appear for their court date, otherwise forfeiting the money paid. These agencies charge a non-refundable fee that is a legally-mandated percentage of an inmate’s total bond amount (Generally 10-15%).

Indemnitor

The person that co-signs, guarantees, and is responsible for an inmate’s appearance in court. The indemnitor is held accountable for the entire bond amount, plus additionally incurred fees (i.e. fugitive recovery fees, filing fees, processing fees, legal costs, etc.), if an inmate misses their hearing.

Collateral

Property given in place of cash to a bail bondsman in trade for services rendered (i.e. boats, cars, fine jewelry, real estate, etc.).

Failure to Appear – FTA

Absent for scheduled mandatory court hearings. This is an additional criminal charge.

Forfeiture

In the case of an FTA, an indemnitor or guarantor must pay courts bond in full or relinquish collateral pledged for an inmate’s bail. The courts generally send a “Notice of Forfeiture” to the bail bondsman to disclose an inmate’s FTA and date in which the bond amount must be paid in full to the court.

Fugitive

An inmate that has failed to appear for their scheduled court date, an escapee from a corrections facility, or individuals that have a warrant out for their arrest.

Arrest Warrant

A legal decree that gives law enforcement permission arrest an individual that is a known fugitive or suspected of a crime. FTA’s also have warrants issued for their arrest. For example, if a person is pulled over for a traffic violation and has an arrest warrant, they can be arrested and taken to jail on the spot.

Aiding and Abetting

Knowingly providing money, food, help, assistance, or shelter to a fugitive.

Now that you have a better understanding of what terms and jargon to expect when getting involved in legal dealings and the bail industry, you can be confident contacting a bail bondsman for professional guidance and service. Choose a bail bond company that has an established and respected reputation within your community. They will have the best relationships with the local law enforcement, jails, and courts.

Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, IN

Woods Bail Bonds Indiana 317-876-9600

Call James Woods at 317-876-9600 for more information about bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. He and our team of licensed, bonded, and insured bail bondsmen are eager to help you understand the bail bond industry by answering all of your bail and arrest warrant questions. We provide services in several counties within Indiana and offer 24 hour assistance, seven days a week. If you have an arrest warrant, or need to bail a friend out of jail, we are the highly trained, professional, and experienced Indianapolis bail bondsman to trust. Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 today!

Call Woods Bail Bonds to Get Out of Jail in Noblesville, Indiana!

Posted on May 9, 2014 by James Woods

Hamilton County Bail Bonds 317-770-7400

If you or a loved one is arrested in Noblesville, Indiana, just call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 right away! Our licensed and insured bail bondsmen are happy to help you or a friend obtain a speedy release from the Hamilton County Jail. James Woods, and his team of licensed bail agents, have more than 30 years of experience in the bail bonds industry, and maintain several good-standing relationships with local judges, prosecutors, and jails. If you need to get out of jail in Noblesville, call our friendly bail bondsmen today!

When a person is arrested in Hamilton County, they are detained in the Hamilton County Jail. There they will await their turn to be booked and processed into the jail’s database. Booking consists of medical history review, personal information, fingerprints, photo, and more. All personal possessions are removed and sealed into a plastic bag, held by the jail staff until their release. This includes cell phones, money, wallets, jewelry, car keys, and more. Once a person is finished being processed, they are eligible for bail. This is where we help!

A person in Hamilton County Jail has several options when it comes to finding a release from jail. For example, they can pay cash for the entire bond amount (usually in the thousands) to get released, or they can wait in jail until their scheduled court date; which could be days or weeks later. The easiest, quickest, and most affordable option is to call a local bail bondsman for a bail bond.

James Woods – Indianapolis Bail Bonds
317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds to get out of jail in Noblesville, IN! You can call us directly from the jail! We provide the quickest bail bond services in Hamilton County. We offer jail pickup services, discreet bail bond services, federal bonds, immigration bail bonds, surety bonds, 24 hour bail bonds, and much more! Never wait longer than you have to in jail if you are ever arrested in Indiana. Instead, call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 immediately! If you have an arrest warrant in Hamilton County, you can trust the highly trained and accomplished team of bail bondsmen to prearrange your bail so that you can be released in as little as one hour! Using a reputable and experienced Noblesville bail bond company like us can get you a safer and utmost professional services you can find in Indiana.

Use Bail Bonds to Get Out of Jail in Boone County, Indiana

Posted on May 3, 2014 by James Woods

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

A bail bond can go a long way in the town of Boone County, Indiana. Getting out of jail is top priority for everyone, following an arrest. Work and family obligations, as well as, a person’s simple freedom are all significant motivators to find a fast release from jail.

Fortunately, a bail bond can grant that opportunity. Do you know how to obtain a bail bond in Lebanon?

Lebanon Bail Bonds

Anyone can apply for a bail bond if they are arrested in Boone County, Lebanon, IN. All they need to do is contact a local bail bond agency and ask for their application information. It is important to choose a reputable and trustworthy company that is operated by licensed bail bondsmen. Be sure to review an agency’s credentials before going forward with their bail services. Amenities such as jail pick up services, 24 hour services, emergency bail bonds, discreet bail services, and full bail coverage are must-have’s in the indemnity world. If an agency of your choosing does not offer all of these services and more, it is recommended to keep searching for one that does!
Here is a list of pertinent information surrounding bail bonds, arrests, and more in Boone County, IN:

BOONE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

1905 Indianapolis Avenue
Lebanon, IN 46052

Tel: 765-482-1412
Fax: 765-483-3370

BOONE COUNTY JAIL INFORMATION

Located East of I-65, Near Exit 138

1905 Indianapolis Avenue
Lebanon, IN 46052
Tel: 765-482-1412

BOONE COUNTY COURTHOUSE

209 Courthouse Square
Corner of State Route 39 & Main Street
Lebanon, IN 46052

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

If you or your loved one needs bail bond services for Boone County, call Woods Bail Bonds at 765-644-0400 right away. Owner and operator, James Woods, and his team of licensed bail agents are eager to get you out of Boone County Jail today! We are highly accomplished and experienced bail bondmen that can provide a fast and friendly release from jail in Lebanon, IN. We offer 24 bail bonds, emergency bail bonds, notary services, jail pick up services, discreet bail services, and much more! Call us today at 765-644-0400 and speak with a licensed and reputable Boone County bail bondsman in Lebanon, Indiana.

How to Get Bailed Out of Jail in Hancock County, Greenfield, Indiana

Posted on April 18, 2014 by James Woods

Indianapolis DUI Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Apprehensions and arrest warrants are serious. If there’s a warrant out for your arrest, you will need to get in touch with the local bail bond agency and prearrange a release from jail in the county you are wanted by. When a friend or loved one is arrested, you will also need to enlist the services of a bail bond agent within the county of their arrest. Greenfield, Indiana arrests take place every day. It is important to know what to do in the case of a sudden apprehension. Know how to get your friend or loved one out of jail in Hancock County! And know how to bail yourself out of jail for an arrest warrant!

Bail Bond Guide for Hancock County, Indiana

As soon as you are aware that a friend or loved one has been arrested, contact a local bail bond agent in the corresponding county of arrest. Bail bond companies retain exclusive resources that allow them access to information you need to efficiently bail someone out of jail. They can locate any defendant and find out which jail they are being detained in; as well as, obtain information regarding a person’s charges and the details surrounding their arrest. Here is some important information that can help you bail a friend or loved one out of jail in Hancock County, Greenfield, Indiana:

Hancock County Jail:

123 National Road
Greenfield, IN 46140

Phone Number: 317-477-1158

Hancock County Sheriffs Department:

123 E. Main Street
Greenfield, Indiana 46140

Administration Phone#: 317-477-1147
Investigations Phone#: 317-477-1199

Clerk’s Office:

9 East Main Street, Rm. 213
Greenfield, IN 46140

Phone#: 317-477-1109
Second Line: 317-477-1143
Fax#: 317-477-1163

Circuit Court:

9 East Main Street, Rm. 213
Greenfield, IN 46140

Phone#: 317-477-1107
Fax#: 317-477-1711

Superior Court 1:

Phone#: 317-477-1148
Fax#: 317-477-1174

Superior Court 2:

Phone#: 317-477-1115
Fax#: 317-477-1124

Once you’ve contacted a local bail bondsman in Hancock County, they will instruct you through the remaining bail bond process. You will be required to fill out a bail bond agreement form as the indemnity party, as well as, a bail bond contract. A nonrefundable fee between 10% and 15% of the total bond amount will be collected before any bail services are rendered by an agency.

Hancock County Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-770-7400

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to learn more about the Hancock County bail bond process in Greenfield, Indiana. Owner, James Woods, and his team of highly trained bail bond agents are happy to answer your questions about how to get out of jail in Hancock County. We offer inmate searches, jail pickup services, notary services, and several types of bail bond services. Contact us today at 317-876-9600 for bail bond services in Hancock County, Greenfield, IN.

Information to Have Ready for a Bail Bondsman

Posted on April 11, 2014 by James Woods

There is a very good reason why jail is not a fun time. It’s intended to be a place of detention; somewhere that mandates cooperation, obedience, and respect. It is a place that no one wants to be, or stay, any longer than required. Depending on court room traffic, one can never tell how long they have to remain in jail before their court hearings finally come.Court dates can be scheduled within a few days of arrest, or several months later.

For this reason we can all be grateful for our local bail bondsmen. They are the professionals who have the resources to provide individuals with a secure release from jail in exchange for a simple fee.

24 Hour Bail Bonds in Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Guide to Calling a Bail Bondsman

Dealing with the arrest of a loved one can be frustrating, which is one reason why it is helpful to have all necessary information ready upfront before calling a bail bondsman. You should never feel intimidated before calling a bail bondsman because they are far from the stereotype seen on TV. Bail bond agents can be very friendly and compassionate.

Reputable bail bondsmen are always happy and eager to assist families when it comes to collecting the needed information concerning an arrestee. However, if you ever prefer to speed the process up a bit, you can have the information ready and organized before you make a call to a bail bondsman. Here is the standard information bail bond companies ask for before they can provide bail services for individuals arrested and detained in jail:

• Your Relationship to the Arrestee
• Your Name and Contact Information
• Full Legal Name
• Date of Birth
• Most Current Address
• Most Current Phone Number
• County of Arrest
• Time of Arrest
• Name of Jail (or County)
• Actual or Potential Arrest Charges
• Place of Employment
• Type of Bond Needed
• Payment Plan
• Questions for Them

Depending on the county of arrest and the bail bond agency you use, the information they require will differ from company to company. In standard bail bond situations, the information above is the most relevant and helpful. If you suspect there’s an arrest warrant in your name, it is important to call a bail bondsman right away. You can prearrange your bail for a faster release from jail. If a friend or loved one has been arrested, call a bail bondsman with this information confirmed and in-hand. This can expedite the process and allow bail bondsmen to provide more efficient and effective bail bond services.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds You Can Count On

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to learn more about bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana and throughout the state. Owner, James Woods, has more than 30 years of experience in the indemnity industry. He and his team of highly trained and licensed bail bond agents can provide a speedy and friendly release from jail in almost any County within the state of Indiana. Woods Bail Bonds offers 24 hour emergency bail bond services, notary services, jail pickup services, inmate searches, and several types of bail bonds. C

Meet the Team at Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana

Posted on April 5, 2014 by James Woods

Woods Bail Bonds has been around for several decades, providing fast and friendly bail services for people all over the state of Indiana. They offered their bail bond services in a variety of counties outside of Indianapolis; including Monticello, Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, Muncie, Danville, Gary, Tipton, Lafayette, Anderson, Peru, and much more. As a family-owned and operated business, the team at Woods Bail Bonds share one common attribute; their passion to help people in need.

When a person is arrested in Indiana, Woods Bail Bonds is there to grant them a secure and speedy release from jail upon their request. One reason their company has become highly reputable and respected within the community is that their team remains motivated and eager to assist Hoosiers of all ages in need of help with arrest warrants, bail bonds, notary services, inmate searches, and more. Meet the team that makes all of this happen at Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Owner James Woods

Hamilton County Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

James Woods is the owner and President of Woods Bail Bonds in Indiana. He has more than three decades of experience in the indemnity and bail bonds industry. He is extensively well-versed and highly proficient when it comes to everything that has to do with bail bonds, bonds, local jails, and more. His daily routines include managing all standard operations of his bail bondsmen, as well as, providing secure and professional bail bond services and related legal assistance. He also manages bond approvals, court proceedings, complaints, transfer bonds, family advisories, and much more. James Woods has a sincere compassion for his clients and a genuine eagerness to help people in their time of need. His respected and accomplished status within the community of Hamilton County, Indiana speaks for itself. It comes from his experience and reliable services that always stand out and go far above those of his competitors. Call James Woods at 317-876-9600 anytime, day or night, for the best bail bond services in Indianapolis.

Office Manager Teresa Woods

Teresa Woods Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Teresa Woods, office manager of Woods Bail Bonds, is wife to owner James Woods. She is a fully licensed and highly skilled bail bond agent with more than 15 years of experience in the industry. Teresa is extensively proficient and knowledgeable when it comes to everything bail bonds. Her primary duties include handling the day-to-day dealings; including in-house credit, cash, and collateral transactions. She also manages credit reports, collections, exoneration, and more. Teresa is certainly the glue that holds everything together within the office. She does her job so well because she too has a genuine passion for the industry and wishes nothing more than to help people, just like the rest of the Woods Bail Bonds team.

Vice President Nick Woods

Nicholas Woods Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Nicholas Woods is the operating and active Vice President of Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana. You maybe be seeing a trend here with the last name; but as mentioned before, it is a family-owned and operated business. This is one of the key reasons why they are great bail bondsmen. They all as a family share the same passion and motivation to provide excellent bail bond services and assist people and families in need of help. VP Nick Woods has more than five years of experience in the bail bonds and indemnity industry.

Nicholas has a list of complex duties that allows the company to run like a well-oiled machine. Outside of a wider perspective, his daily duties include tasks such as processing data, managing collections, creating bail agent reports, gathering information on bail bond forfeitures, and more. For more than five years, Nick has also been a fully licensed bail agent whose contributions have colossally influenced their company’s success and accomplishments. You may call Nick Woods at 317-876-9600 for more information about bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana anytime.

Highest bail amounts in the United States

Posted on March 8, 2014 by James Woods

Many people in the United States may be surprised to learn that the cost of bail can range from just a few dollars, to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and more depending on the crime, priors, as well as numerous other factors. Out of all of the bail amounts that have been set in the United States there are a few cases that stand out. The 5 highest bail amounts ever set in the USA are listed below.

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

1) Bernie Madoff – $10 million
Responsible for a Ponzi scheme worth up to 50 billion dollars.

2) Michael Sorodsky – $33 million
Accused of sexually abusing his patients while under anesthesia

3) Christopher Williams – $100 million
Flight risk was incredibly high

4) Raj Rajaratnam – $100 million
Alleged roll in securities fraud in New York City

5) Kim Freeman – $1 billion
Accused of running brothels

Courts and judges generally follow a bail schedule to set a bond amount. Bond amounts are determined depending on various factors such as; the type of crime, the flight risk of the individual, and numerous other variables. However, the judge has the authority to set a bond amount at any level at his or her discretion.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about bail bonds or the cost of bail for your friend or loved one, call James Woods at 317-876-9600 day or night. Woods Bail Bonds operates on a 24 hour schedule and can provide bail bond services anytime, anywhere. Give us a call today for free bail bond information, jail information, notary services, and much more.

Should People Be Allowed to Use a Credit Card to Pay for Bail?

Posted on February 21, 2014 by James Woods

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Many people wonder about credit card rates and annual fees. When it comes to responsible credit card use, it is suggested to never charge anything that you cannot immediately pay off. For example, many people charge car purchases to their credit cards, while not realizing that the average car loan rate is around 5 percent, whereas credit card interest rates are commonly 15 percent or more. Credit responsibility is a hard topic to debate. There are good and bad times to make a significant charge to your credit card; and everyone’s situations and scenarios are different. But what about other scenarios regarding credit card responsibility?

In particular, what about using a credit card to pay for bail? Should people be able to use credit cards to get out of jail on bond? Is this a responsible choice for people, courts, and society in general? Should Indiana courts be allowing defendants to pay for a release from jail with a credit card? Take a closer look at this topic and let us know what you think. Continue reading and learn about credit cards and the new “swipe and go” system courts are using to release defendants from jail in Indiana.

Using Credit Cards for Bail is Risky and Can Cost Taxpayers Money

Right now in certain Indiana counties, people are given the opportunity to use a credit card to obtain a release from jail directly through the courts. Courts are allowing defendants to pay their bond on a credit card but many feel that this method is unfair, irresponsible, and even dangerous. This is because there is no accountability for people who can get out of jail by simply handing over a credit card number. Many people question how defendants out on bond by means of credit can be trusted to appear for their court hearing on their own. This inquiry is certainly understandable. It is currently a very controversial topic among law enforcement and law officials in Indiana.

When a person is arrested for a crime, a judge will figure out if they are a likely flight risk, or a potential danger to their community. To avoid over-crowding in jails, a judge may release this person on their own recognizance; meaning they are trusted to show up for their hearing willingly. Instead of a judge releasing them on their own recognizance, they can choose to enroll them in a government-operated taxpayer pretrial program. This obviously costs taxpayers money. The last option for a judge is to establish a bond amount to guarantee this person will return to court for their hearing.

If a judge sets a bond amount, a defendant can now either pay a court directly to be released; or they can choose to outsource a private bail bond agency to obtain a release from jail. The bail bondsman takes on the responsibility of the defendant’s full bond amount, and only charging a small percentage of the bond amount as a non-refundable fee. This costs taxpayers nothing at all. Once this responsibility of bond is handed over to a bail bond company, it is their job to make sure the defendant shows up for court so that the bail bondsman can get their bond money back. Looking at past accounts and references, as well as recent statistics calculated by the U.S. Department Justice, this private bail bond system works very well and again, costs taxpayers zero dollars.

Allowing credit cards to be used for bail takes away from the economic advantages of bail bondsmen and agencies. These swipe-and-go systems are typically operated by out-of-state parties, online; so no one is there to see that defendants show up for court. Using credits cards for bail will more than likely lead to reduced attendance in court, repeat offenses, and of course extra costs for taxpayers because law enforcement will need to be used to track down those who skip bond. Credits cards for bail seems like a risky system.

Woods Bail Bonds Provides Bail Services You Can Trust in Indianapolis

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call James Woods, Owner of Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, for answers to your bail services questions today. Our team of highly trained and licensed bail bondsmen have decades of experience in the bail industry. We can offer a fast and friendly release from jail that doesn’t cost fellow taxpayers money at all! Call us today at 317-876-9600 and get more information about bail services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.