How to Get Someone Out of Jail on a Shoplifting Charge

Posted on August 4, 2022 by admin

In Indiana, shoplifting is a type of theft that generally takes place at retail stores but can also occur at restaurants and other establishments that sell goods and services. If someone you care about has just been picked up on shoplifting charges in Indiana, there are a few things you need to know if you plan on getting them out of jail yourself.

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Indiana Shoplifting Charges and Penalties

In Indiana, shoplifting is not a separate law in itself. It is charged as theft, which tends to come with some pretty strict penalties. In some cases, defendants are charged with the lesser crime of conversion, which renders lighter penalties. This might happen if a person stuffs goods into their bag but never actually leaves the store with them. If the person leaves the store and is caught, they are charged with theft, which is a felony. Conversions are charged as Class A Misdemeanors.

Jail Time for Shoplifting

After being arrested for shoplifting in Indiana, most defendants are granted bail privileges with 24 hours of their arrest. Later on in the legal process, if the defendant is found guilty at their trial, they will learn if they have to go back to jail at their sentencing. Here are the standard Indiana jail sentences for theft:

↬ Less Than $750 Worth of Goods = Up to 1 Year in County Jail
↬ Between $750 & $50K Worth of Goods = Up to 2.5 Years in Prison
↬ Over $50K Worth of Goods = Up to 6 Years in Prison

Bail Bonds for Shoplifting Arrests in Indiana

Because an initial arrest does not make your friend or loved one automatically guilty, jail time should not be a concern at this point in the process. Their bail should be set soon by the presiding judge, then you can get them released by hiring a local Indianapolis bail bondsman. The bail bonds process is simple, only requiring you to show up to the bail bond office, fill out all paperwork, sign the bail bond agreement, and pay the fee. Bail bond services are non-refundable, so you do not get your money back.

So long as your friend or loved one appears for their court hearing, you are off the hook and released from the bail bond agreement. If they miss their court date, or worse, flee the state, you are responsible for paying back the remaining bond amount. For instance, if their bail is set at $5K and the bail bondsman charges a 10% fee, you pay a non-refundable payment of 500 dollars. But if the defendant does not appear for court, you have to pay back the remaining $4,500 to the bail bond agency.

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.

The Typical Arrest Process in Marion County Indiana

Posted on July 27, 2022 by admin

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.

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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.

Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Choose Bail Over Jail

Posted on July 20, 2022 by admin

In most cases of an arrest, a defendant is offered the option of posting bail in return for their continued cooperation through the court process. Although this offer is optional, it would not be wise to refuse it for the sake of saving money or “sticking it to the man.”

In all cases, it is in your best interest (and those who depend on you) to get out of jail as soon as possible. Continue below to learn the top three reasons why you should choose bail bonds over jail, plus how to obtain the fastest release from jail in Indiana.

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Why You Want to Get Out of Jail ASAP

There are thousands of reasons, if not more, on why a person is better off awaiting their court hearings at home rather than sitting in jail. But the top three reasons why you want to get out of jail as soon as possible tend to have the most impact on a person’s decision to make the call to the local Indianapolis bail bondsman.

Backed Up Court System

Indiana is known for having highly congested court systems. Even if your case is a simple one, it could take months, possibly up to a year or more, before your case is finished being adjudicated. If you pass up on bail, you would be subjected to sit in jail for up to twelve months, maybe longer, while appearing for your multiple court hearings, including your trial, sentencing, and appeals.

Neglected Personal Matters

While sitting in jail, you would be forced to miss out on important personal matters, like family life, child custody, and employment. The longer you sit in jail, the more time you miss making wages, caring for your children, being with your spouse and family members, and more. A long-term jail stint could cause you to lose your job or be demoted from your current position, all of which affects your income and capacity to pay your household bills. If you are in jail during a scheduled child custody hearing, you risk forfeiting your rights by not attending.

Lower Quality Defense

Those who get out of jail after an arrest will have more time to prepare their defense. Those who have time to build a strong and impactful defense against their criminal charges are more likely to avoid the maximum penalties. In some cases, they are successful at getting their charges entirely dismissed. When you are in jail, you are not able to show the courts that you are working on your goals and living your life in a lawful and positive way. These efforts can influence the judge or jury to go lighter on you come verdict and sentencing.

Are you looking for the fastest and easiest way to get out of jail in Indiana? You are in the right place. Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bond services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We also offer prearranged bail bond service for arrest warrants.

Can I Be Arrested For Making Prank Calls?

Posted on July 13, 2022 by admin

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.

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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.

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

Posted on July 7, 2022 by admin

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.

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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.

How to Get Your Kid Out of Juvenile Detention in Indiana

Posted on May 26, 2022 by admin

Learning that your minor child has just been arrested is emotional. Following those initial feelings of panic, worry, and anger, you begin to think about your kid’s well-being, wanting them home safe, and as soon as possible. But with your head filled with so many questions, like “Why have they been arrested?”, “How can I get them out of juvenile detention?”, and “Do I need to hire a bail bondsman?”, your first step toward getting your loved one home can be unclear.

Fortunately, you are in the right place for answers to these questions and more. Continue below to learn what you need to know about getting your kid out of juvenile detention in Indiana.

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Police Can Arrest Kids

Although you might find it unbelievable, the fact of the matter is, police are permitted to arrest children. Law enforcement is highly trained on dealing with criminal activity among kids and minors, so they are skilled in various types of responses when detaining, questioning, or arresting children under the age of 18 years old. So, if your kid was just arrested, it is very likely that the arresting officers have reasonable suspicion that your child has committed or participated in some level of offense.

Just because your child was arrested does not mean that the officers are mistreating them. Law enforcement officials, as mentioned, are highly trained to work with juvenile offenders, and aim for a path of understanding, connection, and rehabilitation with each individual they come across. In fact, most times, officers will choose an alternative way of dealing with an offending juvenile instead of placing them under arrest, such as a ride home in the squad car, on-the-scene counseling and release, and even a short-term trip to the station house.

Although you do not have to worry about your kid’s experience with police and jail, you do have to worry about the legal process that ensues while they are detained and after they are released from juvenile detention.

Juvenile Detention Centers in Indiana

In most states, including Indiana, law enforcement is required by law to immediately notify parents or legal guardians of a child’s arrest. This phone call will inform you of the location of the juvenile detention center, the charges your child was arrested under, and instructions on how to move forward.

Top Juvenile Detention Centers Near Indianapolis:

Marion County Juvenile Division
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 327-8300

Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility
Pendleton, IN
(765) 778-3778

Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 244-3387

Getting Your Kid Out of Juvie

Once your child has been arrested and transferred to the nearest juvenile detention center, they will be taken through a booking process that may involve search and seizure, data collection, fingerprinting, mugshots, and more. While this is happening, a judge is already scheduling your kid’s first hearing.

For adults, this hearing is known as the arraignment, but for juveniles, it’s simply referred to as a juvenile detention hearing. This hearing comes fast, as decreed by law, typically by the next working business day, or within 24 hours. Most often, children are released back into their parent’s custody. Sometimes, the judge orders them to remain in juvenile detention.

Hiring a Bail Bond Service

For this reason, you do not need to hire a bail bondsman to get your child out of juvenile detention. You do, however, need to hire a lawyer. If your child is a minor who has been arrested and taken to adult jail, it is strongly encouraged to contact a licensed Indianapolis bail bond company and get them out of jail using a bail bond.

Are you ready to get a bail bond going for your minor child who is being held in an Indiana county jail? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bond services in over 30 Indiana counties. We also offer prearranged bail bond service for arrest warrants.

What is Bail Forfeiture?

Posted on May 19, 2022 by admin

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.

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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.

Two Types of Hybrid Bail Bonds in Indiana

Posted on April 14, 2022 by admin

There are so many questions that run through a person’s mind when they are faced with the responsibility of bailing someone else out of jail. What kind of liability am I taking on? Will this be expensive? When can I post their bail? How do I post their bail? Of all the common questions that erupt after an arrest in Indiana, not many have to do with the different types of bail bonds available for general public use. From surety bonds and cash bonds to OR releases, property bonds, PR bonds, and more, there are certainly choices out there. In fact, there are bail bonds available that combine two or more of the above-mentioned to form a brand new, hybrid bail bond.

Continue reading to learn more about hybrid bail bonds, including what they are, how they can help you get a person out of jail, and where to get started on the Indiana bail bond process no matter where you are in the state.

Hybrid Bail Bonds Combine 2 or More Traditional Bail Bonds

Before we mentioned the two most common hybrid bail bonds used in Indiana, first let us discuss the most common types of traditional bail bonds in Indiana: surety bonds, cash bonds, and OR release bonds. By having a basic understanding of these bail bond options, you will be able to better understand what hybrid bail bonds are and how they work.

Cash Bonds

A defendant’s full bail amount can be paid directly to the jail. This is known as cash bond. So long as the defendant appears for court, the money paid will be refunded in full. If the defendant does not appear for court, known as an, FTA (Failure to Appear), the money paid will be forfeited entirely. This type of bond does not require the services of a bail bond company.

Surety Bonds

A surety bond is your basic bail bond, and the best alternative to a cash bond. A client pays a bail bondsman a percentage of the full bail amount instead of paying the full bond amount themselves, out of pocket. For example, if the person’s bail is set at 10K, you can choose to pay the full $10,000 in cash to the jail, or you can choose to hire a bail bond agent and pay only 10% to 15% of the 10K. If you use a bail agent, you do not get a refund.

Personal Recognizance Bond

A personal recognizance bond in Indiana is similar to an OR bond. In a typical OR bond scenario, the defendant simply signs an agreement promising to appear for all court dates; no bail is set, and no bond is paid. Here in Indiana, the court might offer a PR bond, or personal recognizance bond, which allows a co-signer (generally a family member or spouse) to post the bond. Under a PR bond, defendants are not allowed to sign for themselves like they would be in an OR bond scenario.

Hybrid Bail Bonds

Now that you have a basic understanding of the most common types of bail bonds used in Indiana, we can discuss hybrid bail bonds. Now, the term hybrid bail bonds is not official. It is colloquially used to describe how two typical bail bonds can be combined to create a new type of bond. In Indiana, the hybrid bonds we often see are XR bonds and XC bonds.

XR Bonds – When you combine a PR bond with a surety bond, you get an XR bond.

XC Bonds – When you combine a surety bond with a cash bond, you get an XC bond.

Are you looking for the fastest and easiest way to get your friend out of jail in Indy? 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.

Do I Surrender to the Jail for a Bench Warrant?

Posted on April 6, 2022 by admin

Warrants can be confusing to anyone, regardless of intellectual quotient. This is especially true since there are multiple kinds of warrants. You may already be familiar with arrest warrants, but there are also bench warrants issued for defendants of the county or city. If you are currently facing a bench warrant, it is important to take the responsible and lawfully-expected steps to remedy your legal matters. Otherwise, you could be surrendering to the jail and spending time there while awaiting your bail to be posted.

Continue reading to learn how to avoid jail time if you have just been issued a bench warrant in Indiana.

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How to Manage a Bench Warrant

You were issued a bench warrant because you missed a court date. There could be other reasons, but this is the most common one. 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.

What to Do To Recall a Bench Warrant:

To satisfy a bench warrant, it is best to contact the county clerks’ office. You may also call or visit the local courthouse or police department in the county of the warrant.

Tell them about your bench warrant, then they will make arrangements for you to come in, in person, and pay the bail associated with the warrant. This step will keep you from being named in an arrest warrant.

Once you pay the bail, the court or judge will recall the 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. But keep in mind that most bail bondsmen will not cover bail payments for bench warrants.

Since you missed your court date, your bail money has already been forfeited, so a bail bondsman would not likely pay your bond for you under the normal indemnity arrangement. This also means that you cannot get your bail money back from the court after you satisfy your bench warrant. If you ask the courts, they may grant you credit for your court fines and fees. But this is rare.

Are you ready to learn more about bail bond options in Indiana? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for speedy and secure bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer prearranged bail bond service for arrest warrants and probation violations, too.

Everything You Need to Know About Bail Money

Posted on March 29, 2022 by admin

When a person is arrested or facing an arrest warrant, money is always one of the first points of priority. Arrest warrant defendants, as well as friends and loved ones of those arrested, want to know how much it will cost to get out of jail and whether or not they get their money refunded.

Continue below to learn what you need to know about bail money, including how much bail costs, terms of bail money refunds, where to get the cheapest bail, and more.

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Bail Money is What You Need

If someone is arrested, money will be required in almost all cases, whether that money is used to hire a lawyer to defend the charges, buy a bail bond, pay court fees, pay fines upon conviction, or pay a combination of them all. As for bail alone, there are several ways to spend money on obtaining a release from jail, that is, if the defendant is granted bail privileges. There are some criminal charges and circumstances that will revoke a person’s right to bail, like murder or being a previous flight risk.

Average Cost of Bail

The cost of bail will depend on several factors, mostly how much the bail was set at by the judge, the defendant’s criminal history, and whether a person chooses to hire a bail bond company or pay the courts directly. If you choose to pay the courts directly, you will be paying the entire bail premium, which is what the judge sets the bail at. This is usually in the thousands, even as high as tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands. If you choose to hire a bail bond company, you only pay a fraction of the bail premium. This has long been the more affordable and rational approach to getting bailed out of jail.

Bail Money Refunds

There is only one way you get refunded bail money and that is if you choose to pay the courts directly. Again, this is a very extreme and risky approach since you have to let go of a large sum of cash or collateral all at once. Not many people have an extra $10,000 or $50,000 laying around for emergency needs. But for those who do, they can choose to pay the court directly, and as long as the defendant appears for court, they get the money refunded. If you hire a bail bond company, you only pay a fraction of the bail premium, but you do not get this money back. Furthermore, the person who signs for the bail bond is liable for paying back the remaining bail premium if the bailee skips out on court.

Free Bail Money

If you are looking for bail money, do not give up. There is really no such thing as free bail money, especially because there is no state or government financial assistance for bail bond expenses. In all cases, someone is paying for bail, even if you get someone else to cover the cost for you.

Do you need to surrender to a warrant or get someone out of jail in Central Indiana? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bonds in Indianapolis, or anywhere in Central Indiana. We also offer prearranged bail bond service for arrest warrants.