Common Forms of Bail Bonds

Posted on June 28, 2013 by admin

Bail bonds are a wonderful commodity and service to have on your side in a time of need. Many people may think they have a general understanding of what a bail bond does; but many are also unaware that bail bonds come in several forms. Continue reading to learn about the common types of bail bonds in the industry and their various purposes.

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Surety Bonds

Most people are unaware that the term “surety bond” is just the formal name for a bail bond. These are the general types of bail bonds to get a release from incarceration. They are purchased through a bail bondsman or bail bond agency for a percentage of the original bail amount. For example, if a person is arrested for Battery, and their bail is set at $5,000, they would have to pay a bail agency 10-15% of the $5,000 to get out of jail and await their next trial date.

Property Bonds

For those who are arrested under more serious charges other than simple misdemeanors, may be subjected to use a property bond to gain a release from jail. If they do not get bailed from jail, they will have to wait in jail until their next scheduled court date and this could be months later. A property bond is used in cases where people cannot afford to pay the bail amount to get released because they are so high. In these cases, arrestees have the choice to place their properties up in place of cash. Things such as cars, houses, boats, motorcycles, and land can be used legally in place of cash to get bailed out of jail. If the arrested does not show up for all their scheduled court hearings and fails to complete their obligations to the court, they sacrifice the property they put up for bail. Property bonds are a very serious form of bail bonds.

Release on Your Own Recognizance Bonds

This type of bond is more of a verbal bond and does not require payment of any kind. These types of releases from jail are for first time offenders with very minor charges, like j-walking or unpaid parking tickets. In these cases, the jail will release a person without a bail bond on a promise that they will show up for all their court dates and complete the legal process they are obligated to in order to avoid future legal issues.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about bail bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana, call 317-876-9600 today. Woods Bail Bonds provides fast and friendly bail services for Hoosiers all over the state. From arrest warrants to jail pickup services, our courteous bail agents are here to help. James Woods and his team of agents offer the most professional and expedited bail bond services around. Call 317-876-9600 and talk to a bail bond agent about help getting out of jail in Indianapolis, IN.

What is Collateral in the Bail Bond Industry?

Posted on June 22, 2013 by admin

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

When people are arrested, they are taken into custody where they await their bail hearing. At a bail hearing, the judge will determine what amount to set your bond, taking into consideration your past offenses, and the severity of the current one. Your bail amount will differ from everyone else because of these particular variables.

Once your bail amount is set by the courts, you are given the opportunity to either hire a bail bond agency and obtain a release from jail, or remain in jail and await your next court date, in which you’ll receive your sentencing. When you hire a bail bond agent to obtain a release from jail, many will require some form of collateral in exchange. Read on to learn what collateral means in the world of bail bonds.

Collateral Bail

Collateral is any form of asset, whether it’s cash, property, vehicles, or something else of equal value that is held onto by a person lending a service or product. A bail bond agency will sometimes facilitate their services for the arrested, without asking for any collateral at all. Again, it all depends on the previous criminal history, employment status, credit history, and the type of current offense. A bail bondsman will examine these variables before deciding if they require collateral or not.

The reason a bail agency would ask for collateral is to ensure that the defendant does not skip bail, or fail to appear for their court dates. If they fail to appear, the bond agency is obligated to pay the remaining bond amount unless they can find the person and bring them to the courts. A bond amount can be anywhere from $1000 to $100,000. A bail bond agency only charges 10-15% of the entire bond amount. If a person’s bond amount is $5,000, then a bail agency would charge a $500 non-refundable fee for a bail bond. If the person skips their next court date after being released on bail, the agency has to pay the remaining $4,500 until they find the fugitive.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about collateral and bail bonds, call Woods Bail Bonds today! James Woods is a veteran in the bail bond industry and is happy to answer any questions you have about turning yourself in, outstanding arrest warrants, bail, and more. He and his team of licensed bail bond agents have been working in the bond industry for more than 30 years! Call them today at 317-876-9600 for questions about collateral and bail bonds in Indianapolis and its surrounding cities in Indiana.

Turning Yourself In for an Outstanding Arrest Warrant in Indianapolis

Posted on June 14, 2013 by admin

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

If you have a bench warrant out for your arrest in Indianapolis, Indiana, any crossed paths with police will land you instantly under arrest. Whether you are driving home from work, or going to the grocery store, a warrant for your arrest is a heavy burden to carry in any situation. As soon as a person is arrested on an outstanding warrant, they are immediately taken to jail where a bail may or may not be set. If the bail is not set right away, the person has to wait in jail until their set court hearing. This can sometimes take weeks depending on the amount of traffic the jail is facing at that time. If the bail is set right away, then the person can begin taking the necessary steps to bail themselves out of jail.

If you just found out that you have an outstanding arrest warrant in Indianapolis, IN, there are a few options you can consider. This blogs explains those options and more.

Defendant’s Rights

You have a right to retain legal counsel. Any person arrested and/or charged with a crime has the right to hire a lawyer to represent them. In a case in which a person wishes to turn themselves in on an outstanding arrest warrant, an attorney is advisable. A lawyer can use your voluntary surrender as an advantage to your case. They can negotiate pretrial releases and restrictions, bail amounts, and even start working on your case before you get to the jail.

An attorney can come with you to turn yourself in and speak directly with the commissioner or judge in charge of setting the bail amount. They can give the commissioner or judge more background information on your history and criminal record that may result in a lower bail amount. If you are not represented by an attorney and turn yourself in on your own, the judge will only see the allegations against you and set bail according to that alone.

If you decide to hire a lawyer, your rights extend to the following:

Prearrange Bail

As mentioned before, bail can be predetermined and possibly negotiated through your attorney. When a warrant is given, the bail can sometimes already be set with it. However, in most cases you have to attend a hearing to see how much bail you have to pay, or not have to pay. There, you have the right to use your volunteer turn-in as an asset in setting the bail amount. The lawyer handles this part. The bail hearing itself is called an initial determination, and can take place either before or after your arrest. At this hearing is also where you will utilize your right to have an attorney present, and speak on your behalf. You have a right to bring along a bail bondsman, or bail money, to make the process even smoother and quicker.

Negotiating Restrictions

Part of the initial hearing is to set bail restrictions, or conditions in which you have to live by if you want to make bail. You have the right to have your attorney negotiate these restrictions for you. Examples of restrictions include, but are not limited to:

• No substance use including alcohol
• Suspended driving privileges
• Limited travel capability
• Mandatory court appearances
• No possession or use of firearms
• Must give 24 hour notice of change of address
• Refrain from any criminal activity

Before being released on bail, you must agree to any and all conditions issued by the court. If you do not agree, you have to remain in jail until your next court date. This can take anywhere from 1-30 days depending on the courts.

Requesting a Review of Bail

Sometimes when a warrant is issued, a judge will pre-rule that no bail is allowed. And when this happens, not even the best attorney can get this order lifted. In this case, you still have rights. You have the right to file a motion to review bail with the courts, using the fact that you turned yourself in as an arguing point. This strategy has proven effective in the past.

So if you find out that you have an outstanding arrest warrant in Indianapolis, Indiana BEFORE you get arrested for one, you are already at an advantage. It is crucial to get an attorney immediately and prepare to turn yourself in together. Doing this one simple step shows the court that you are making an effort to right your wrong and may even result in a more lenient bail amount and sentence. There are various ways to find out if you have a warrant issued in your name.

You can:

1. Ask a police officer to look it up for you (although this is NOT recommended because they will arrest you on the spot and you will forfeit your opportunity to turn yourself in).

2. Go to your local courthouse and ask. They will give you all the details they have on your outstanding warrant without you risking an unexpected arrest. The downfall is that you have to know where your warrant may be issued. They cannot look up every state and county and find your name.

3. Use an online public records database to search for your arrest warrant.

Be prepared before turning yourself in on an outstanding arrest warrant in Indianapolis, IN. It is strongly recommended to seek out the professional help of lawyers and bail bondsman to safely and smoothly push you through the bail/jail process.

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about how to turn yourself for an outstanding arrest warrant in Indianapolis, IN, call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 today. James Woods, and his team of licensed bail agents, are happy to answer any questions you have about arrest warrants and getting out of jail. Here at Woods, our James and our agents are fast, friendly, and effective. Quality bail bonds and help with outstanding arrest warrants in Indianapolis can be found through Woods Bail Bonds and their multiple locations in Indiana.

What Happens When You Get Arrested for a DUI in Hamilton County, Indiana?

Posted on June 8, 2013 by admin

Has a close friend or a loved one recently been arrested in Hamilton County and now you want to know what happens next? The arrest and release process in Indiana works a little different in each county and each jurisdiction. Continue reading to learn about a recent case Woods Bail Bonds handled in Hamilton County, IN.

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Hamilton County DUI Case

Recently we placed a bond for a girl here in Hamilton County that claimed she was pulled over for speeding. The officer on duty asked her if she knew why she was being stopped; her reply was that she didn’t know. The police officer informed the girl that she was driving 45 in a 40 zone. He then asked her if she had been drinking. She admittedly told the cop that she had a couple of drinks early in the evening.

At this point, police are obligated to make sure a person is not over the legal alcohol limit while driving. So from there, the officer administered a field breathalyzer test, informing her that it was not exactly accurate but would give him a good idea on whether or not she needs to be taken to jail for further testing. If a person blows over a .08 alcohol level, they are considered intoxicated by law. She tested .08, and then was transported to Hamilton County Jail. Once there, she was administered a second breathalyzer test on a different machine that the officers claimed would give a more precise reading of her toxicity levels. Unfortunately, the girl tested at a .09% and was immediately placed under arrest. She was placed in a holding cell commonly referred to as the “drunk tank”, and forced to turn over all of her personal property she had on hand. She was told that she would have to wait at least 6 hours before she would be sober enough to be released from jail.

Hours later, the girl was removed from the holding cell and processed; meaning they took her finger prints and her picture, and then extensively questioned. Her bond was set by a judge at $2,500 and was notified that she needed to get a hold of a bail bondsman, or pay the entire amount with cash. She asked them if she could be released on her own and their reply was that she “wasn’t in Marion County”.

Hamilton County Bail Bond Process

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

A pre-established bail schedule is used to set your bond. This schedule is formulated by the local courts so you are able to post bail before actually appearing before a judge. The types of charges and even where you live can be taken into consideration. For example, out of state residents are likely to be considered a greater risk for failure to appear.

If a surety bond is allowed, a bail agent can post a surety bond on the defendant’s behalf. The agent’s company then takes responsibility for making sure they appear in court. This means all dates until the case is over. A cash bond is paid directly to the jail. When posting a surety bond with a bail agent normally an “indemnitor” will be required to sign for financial responsibility. This can be a family member, employer or close friend. The indemnitor helps indemnify the surety against loss. It also provides a sense of responsibility for the defendant since they know a family member or friend will bear financial loss. There are a lot of times we will post bonds on defendants and let them sign for themselves.

Any OWI or DUI arrests will have an additional schedule that calculates when a defendants BAC (blood alcohol content) will be metabolized low enough to allow for a safe release. If the defendant is arrested on a warrant out of a different court jurisdiction he will be jailed in the arresting officer’s jail. Then normally transported back to the jail by the original law enforcement authorities; and they will not tell you when that will happen for security reasons. This can take days.

Hamilton County Bail Bonds

Vigo County Bail Bonds 812-333-3399

If you have more questions about the bail bond process in Hamilton County, Indiana and all over Indianapolis, ask James Woods, owner of Woods Bail Bonds. You can reach him and his team at 317-876-9600 for the most accurate and up-to-date information about bail bonds in Indiana. Him and our team of licensed bail agents are friendly and there for you in your time of need. We are happy to take your call 24/7, day or night. When it comes to getting bailed out of Hamilton County Jail, trust us for fast and courteous service.

How to Get Out of Jail Fast in Indianapolis

Posted on May 31, 2013 by admin

Jail can be an intimidating place, especially if it’s a persons’ first offense. Jail is not meant to be fun; it is intended to thwart offenders from repeating another crime. If you are going to turn yourself in on an outstanding warrant, or of a loved one has been arrested, continue reading to learn the fastest way to get out of jail.

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Bail Bond Agencies in Indianapolis

Bail bond agents are people who facilitate a release from jail for people that have been arrested for minor charges and misdemeanors. Repeat felons and offenders are usually not offered an opportunity for bail. Using a bail bondsman is the most reliable way to get out of jail. Most bail bond agents have been in the industry for years. They have close ties to judges and court officials, as well as the local jails. Although a person must pay a bail bond agency a non-refundable fee for their service, they avoid waiting in jail for weeks until their court hearing. Freedom is priceless in these situations.

How to Use a Bail Bond

Once a person is arrested or taken in, they are passed through a processing center. This is where the jail officials take fingerprints, personal information, mug shots, and more. The processing segment of jail can take up to 12 hours depending on the amount of traffic and size of the staff. If a person is arrested under the influence of a drug or alcohol, they are placed in a cell to sober up for 8 hours before even going to the processing center. Once a person is done being processed and entered into the system, they are given a chance to make phone calls. Most of the time, a person can use the phone as many times as they like, not just for one call. If they are being rude or behaving badly, the jail staff has the right to take away phone privileges.

With the phone call, they should dial the number to a local bail bond agency. The bail bondsman will immediately begin the process of releasing them from jail. If you are turning yourself in on an outstanding warrant, then call a bail bondsman ahead of time for a faster process.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call James Woods of Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana at 317-876-9600 today for information on how to get out of jail fast. He has been serving Hoosiers with bail bonds for more than 30 years. He and his team of licensed bail agents are highly experienced professionals with decades of service in the bail bond industry. Visit our website to learn more about James and Teresa Woods, Owners of Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, IN.

Cost of Bail Bonds in Indiana

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admin

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Bail bonds are a favor to the community, and surrounding households. Anyone who is arrested and taken into jail can get the services of a bail bondsman to obtain a release. This service is crucial for people who need to get back to work, or tend to their families. A bail bondsman can get a person out of jail and back on track in just a few hours in some cases. Continue reading to learn more about bail bondsman, and how much they charge for bail bonds in Indianapolis.

Indiana Bail Bond Prices

The price of a bail bond is different from the amount of a bond, altogether. The court orders a specific bond amount, depending on the charges a person was arrested under. This amount is the total bond amount required to obtain a release from jail to await trial at home. Many people do not have this kind of cash available on hand to get out of jail; so instead, the services of a bail bondsman are required. A bail agent, or bondsman, will pay the entire bond amount to the courts to get the arrestee released from incarceration. Then the bail bond company charges the arrestee a non-refundable fee for their service.

The fee is always a set percentage of the total bond amount. This percentage is regulated by law and is the same for all bail bond agencies in Indiana. The variable that determines how much your bond will be is the courts and the charges brought up against a person. If someone with a past criminal history is arrested and in need of bond services, their total bond amount given by the courts will most likely be higher than the bond amount of a first time offender. A bail agency can charge anywhere from 10-15% of the total bond amount. This means, if a court or judge sets a person’s bond amount at $10,000, the bail bondsman will charge a non-refundable fee of $1,000 to $1,500 for their services. If the person fails to appear for their scheduled court date, after being released on bond, they will forfeit the rest of the $10,000 bond amount, and have a warrant issued for their arrest.

Ask a Licensed Bail Agent in Indianapolis

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about how much bail bonds cost in Indiana, call James Woods at Woods Bail Bonds in Indianapolis today. You can reach him and his team of expert bail bondsmen at 317-876-9600, day or night! Around Indy, we are best known by our solid reputation for friendly and fast service. We respect all our clients and hope for the best when rendering our services. We are here 24 hours a day and seven days a week to answer any of your bond questions. We are happy to give you all the details you need on how much a bail bond will cost in Indianapolis, IN.

The Truth about Your Miranda Rights

Posted on May 9, 2013 by admin

In every cop movie you see, you know when you hear the officer say, “Read him his rights”, that the person in question is about to be arrested. Well, this is true in real life too. Continue reading to learn about these rights, and where they originated.

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

What Are My “Miranda Rights” And What Are They For?

The Miranda Rights are basically an explanation of your right to remain silent before being questioned. Because the exact phrasing of the official “Miranda Rights” isn’t depicted in the Supreme Court’s history of decision making, local law enforcement stations have created their own version and style of the Miranda Rights, covering the basic statements that need to be read to the person being charged. An example goes something like this:

1. You Have The Right To Remain Silent.

Everyone knows this one, right? The courts position is this:

“At the outset, if a person in custody is to be subjected to interrogation, he must first be informed in clear and unequivocal terms that he has the right to remain silent.”

2. Anything You Say Or Do Can Be Held Against You In A Court Of Law.

And the Court’s position is this:

“The warning of the right to remain silent must be accompanied by the explanation that anything said can and will be used against the individual in court.”

3. You Have The Right To Have An Attorney Present Now And For Any Future Questioning.

And the Court says:

“…the right to have counsel present at the interrogation is indispensable to the protection of the Fifth Amendment privilege under the system we delineate today. … [Accordingly] we hold that an individual held for interrogation must be clearly informed that he has the right to consult with a lawyer and to have the lawyer with him during interrogation under the system for protecting the privilege we delineate today.”

4. If You Cannot Afford an Attorney, One Will Be Appointed To You Free Of Charge.

What does the Court have to say? They Say This:

“In order fully to apprise a person interrogated of the extent of his rights under this system then, it is necessary to warn him not only that he has the right to consult with an attorney, but also that if he is indigent a lawyer will be appointed to represent him. Without this additional warning, the admonition of the right to consult with counsel would often be understood as meaning only that he can consult with a lawyer if he has one or has the funds to obtain one.”

The Court continues by declaring what the police must do if the person being interrogated indicates that he or she does want a lawyer…

“If the individual states that he wants an attorney, the interrogation must cease until an attorney is present. At that time, the individual must have an opportunity to confer with the attorney and to have him present during any subsequent questioning. If the individual cannot obtain an attorney and he indicates that he wants one before speaking to police, they must respect his decision to remain silent.”

Can A Person Be Arrested WITHOUT Being Read Their Miranda Rights?

The answer, Indiana, is yes. The Miranda Rights aren’t used to protect you in any way from being detained and charged. It is simply an informative script warning you of what your rights are at that moment, because when you are being arrested, you don’t continue to have all the normal rights of a person not in question. Police only need a little thing called, “probable cause” to detain a person. Basically just a good-enough reason mixed with events and facts that leads cops to believe the person has committed an offense. The only time Miranda Rights are required to be read, is before interrogation sessions.

Where Did Our Miranda Rights Originate From?

The history of where the Miranda Rights came from is not pretty. It is named after a man from Arizona that was convicted of rape almost 50 years ago. His name, Ernesto Miranda. He was arrested on a theft charge for suspicion of stealing $8 from a bank employee. He was also suspected of a series of recent rapes, kidnappings, and robberies in the area. The story goes that he was never offered a lawyer during the two hour questioning session, where he admitted of raping an 18 year old girl a week prior, and of the robberies. He was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in jail. But during the trial process, his lawyers argued about his rights being violated because he was never informed of his right to remain silent, even though he signed legal documents attesting he understood his legal rights. In 1966, the Supreme Court ruled that Mr. Miranda’s rights were violated because he was never told of his right to remain silent. He was awarded a second trial but was still convicted. But that is where the phrase, “Miranda Rights”, originates from.

Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more information about your Miranda Rights, and other rights after being arrested in Indianapolis, IN, call James Woods at Woods Bail Bonds, today. His teams of professional bail agents are highly trained and experienced in the legal industry and can accurately answer any questions you have about getting someone out of jail. You can reach James, or another friendly bail agent, 24/7, at 317-876-9600 for help with bail bonds in Indianapolis and all other surrounding counties in Indiana.

The Advantages of Bail Bonds

Posted on May 3, 2013 by admin

Posting bail is usually the first and most obvious thought that a person has once they are arrested and taken to jail. No one wants to spend an extra minute in jail if they don’t have to. A bail bond can make that happen. Here are some reasons why it can be more beneficial to obtain a bail bond, rather than waiting in jail until the scheduled court date.

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Maintain Employment

If a person decides to get bailed out of jail, a very important advantage is avoiding lost work. If a person does not get bailed from jail, they risk missing valuable work hours and possibly employment altogether. Being employed after an arrest is crucial because an arrest leads to court dates, fines, fees, hiring a lawyer, and other costly consequences. Being bailed out of jail right after an arrest allows a person to go to work and continue making money, while dealing with their legal issues.

Family Responsibilities

Many people who have been arrested have homes, family, and children in their lives that require attention and support. Obtaining a bail bond to get released from jail gives people the opportunity to go back to their homes and take care of their children and personal responsibilities. If a person declines a bail bond and remains in jail, it can be weeks before they see a judge, and even then may not be released from jail. Someone may have an elderly parent they care for, or young children that require constant attention. Having to stay in jail complicates these personal situations. If a person does not have children or family responsibilities, there are still benefits to being released from jail on a bail bond. It allows a person to just connect back with family and re-enter their emotional support circle and friends to help them through this rough time of their lives.

Legal Benefits

Another great advantage to being released from jail on a bail bond is getting a legal head start. If a person does not have to wait in jail, they have an ample amount of time between their release date and when they have to appear for court. In this time they can hire a reputable lawyer, examine their case, and prepare for their hearing. If a person remains in jail, they will be appointed a public defender for free. Although these are good legal representation, Public Defenders, because they are free, are swamped with court cases, and cannot dedicate a lot of time to every case. This results in the most severe court rulings because of the lack of representation.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

For more accurate information about posting bail or bail bonds in Indianapolis, contact James Woods of Woods Bail Bonds. Here at Woods, we are a licensed, insured, and bonded bail agency with decades of experience in the industry. We can help facilitate a courteous and speedy release from jail any time of day or night. Call James today at 317-876-9600 for professional bail bond assistance in Indianapolis, IN.