Category Archives: Criminal Law

How Do Bail Bonds Work in Indiana?

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Whether you are a resident of Indiana, or simply passing through, the bail bond process will differ much. Continue reading to learn how bail bonds work in Indiana, including the steps you need to take to get your friend or loved one out of jail, even in the middle of the night.

Indiana Bail Bondsmen Near Me 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bondsmen Near Me 317-876-9600

After Being Arrested in Indiana

What a person is arrested, they are taken to the local county jail and put through a booking process in which all of their personal information is entered into the jail’ databases system. Once a defendant is finished with their booking process, they are given an opportunity to make a phone call, either to a friend or loved one, or to a local bail bond company to purchase bail bond services.

A defendant does not have to use a bail bond company; they also have the option of paying their bond in full to the jail. However, this option is very expensive, as it forces a defendant to deposit a large amount of cash, which can easily empty a bank account. Although the defendant will receive this deposit back in full so long as they appear for their scheduled court hearings, it is very difficult for most Americans to give up such large sums of cash at one time when they have bills and family to take care of.

Paying for a Bail Bond

When using a bail bond, a person would contact a local bail bond agent within the county of their arrest. A bail bond is not free, nor is it refundable. Here in Indiana, bail bond prices are regulated by the Department of Insurance, so all bail bond companies are only allowed to charge between 10 and 15% of a defendant’s total bail amount.  For instance, if a judge sets your bail at $10,000, and the bail bumps menu higher charges 12% for their services, your nonrefundable bail bond fee would be $1200.

Cosigning for Bail Bond

Unless you are surrendering to an arrest warrant and signing for yourself, it is likely that somebody else will be taking on the liability of your bail after you are released from jail on a bail bond. A bail bond contract is legally binding and holds the co-signer responsible for the full bail amount in the case that the defendant does not appear for their scheduled court hearing. So, using the example listed above, if your friend or loved one fails to appear for court, by law you would be responsible for paying back the full $10,000.

Payments Accepted by Indiana Bail Bondsman

When it comes to paying for bail bond, your best bet is to use cash. All bail bond companies accept cash. However, it is common for a person to be cash-strapped, as arrest tend to happen unexpectedly or when you least anticipate them. So, your other options for paying for bail bond would include putting up your liquid assets as collateral, such as your home, real estate, trust funds, investment bonds, bank accounts, and possibly even your car or motorcycle. In most cases, it is up to the bail bondsman to decide which types of collateral they are willing to accept.

Choose a Reputable and Experienced Bail Agent

Most among companies in Indiana operate on a 24 hour basis, even national holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. So, no matter what day or time you or your loved one or need of a bail bond, they should be available in a moment’s notice. The most important element of using a bail bond in Indiana is to choose an experienced and reputable bail bond company near the jail.

Are you looking for a qualified and affordable Indianapolis bail bond agent right now? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to get out of jail in Indianapolis Indiana for as low as 8% of the total bail amount. We have offices all throughout the state and operate in over 30 counties, 24 hours a day.

You Might Also Read:

Are Bail Bond Fees Required Upfront?
FAQS About the Cost of Bail
Bail Bond Applications and Forms You Might Need in Indianapolis

What is a Citation Release?

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There are many forms of pretrial detention and release, the most common being arrest and bail. But many states allow for an easier and more efficient means of penalization that eliminates the need for custodial arrests, detainment, and bail bonds. This alternative is called a citation release, and offers a beneficial compromise between the law and the offender. Continue reading to learn more about citations and how they work.

Call 317-876-9600 for Citation Release Bail Bonds in Indianapolis
Call 317-876-9600 for Citation Release Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

Citation in Lieu of Jail

A citation is a written order (ticket) that is given in lieu of a custodial arrest and pretrial detention. They are issued for low-level crimes, such as non-violent misdemeanors and traffic offenses. Once a person is issued a citation, or “ticket”, they are required by law to follow up accordingly. Depending on the offense, this could include appearing at a scheduled court hearing, meeting at a designated governmental office, paying a fee, taking a class, community service, or a combination of them.

Virtually all states allow citations, but not all. And the crimes eligible for citations differ among them. For instance, Indiana only allows citation releases for traffic offenses, while Colorado allows them for many misdemeanors with the exception of violent crimes. In another example, Maryland allows citations to be issued for crimes that are not punishable by imprisonment, misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days in jail, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. This means some citations are arrests, and some are not.

• 19 states permit citations after arrest
• 9 states permit citations before arrest
• 10 states permit citations before and after arrest
• 2 states permit citations for some felonies (Louisiana and Oregon)
• 7 states do not specify which crimes an officer has discretion to issue citations for
• 10 states have laws that create a presumption that citations can be issues for some crimes under certain circumstances

When is a Citation Prohibited?

There are two common factors that typically prohibits law enforcement to issue a citation under state law:

1) The offender refuses to sign a written promise to appear before a judge.

2) The offender does not have (or refuses to provide) valid identification, or valid identification cannot be verified. This includes finger-printing.

Its Benefits

Citation release is a beneficial policy for many states because it helps manage jai populations, keeping them as low as possible. Not only do they lower jail populations, they also deliver local cost savings too. And for offenders, it is a much better trade-off than sitting in jail for hours and then posting bond. But for those who get arrested and not cited, they will need a bail bondsman to get out of jail.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner James Woods, and his team of licensed, bonded, and insured bail bondsmen, can get you or a loved one out of any Indiana jail, including Marion County Jail, Hamilton County Jail, and more! And since we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, we are always there for you! Call 317-876-9600 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis bail bonds, today.