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.
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.
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