Even though you are on the receiving end, getting a call from jail is a confusing and somewhat intimidating situation. Continue reading to learn what you should do if someone has just called you from a local jail in need of bail.
Phoning From Jail
If someone is arrested, they are generally given the opportunity to make a phone call. But when they make that call, they have to know the person’s number from memory because they will not have access to their own phone or records. Instead, they will be using a payphone. For this reason, it is likely someone you know well that is calling you from jail.
How to React
When a person is calling you from jail, they are likely calling to ask you for help getting out. This would involve paying the jail directly, or hiring a bail bond company at a fraction of the cost. Either way, you are putting up a lot of personal liability, and money for that matter, for the person you are bailing out. For this reason, you need to make sure that the person calling you is someone you care about and trust.
In order to get someone out of jail with a bail bond, you will have to sign a bail bond agreement, which locks you into a legally-binding contract. Now, this is not a bad thing if you are signing for someone you know and trust, and that will show up for their court date. But if you do not know or trust the person well, or the person has a history of deceitfulness or irresponsibility, you may want to refrain from signing a bail bond agreement on their behalf.
You see, if you do sign the bail bond agreement and then they do not show up for court, you are fully liable for their total bail amount. So, if their bail was $10,000 and you paid $1,000 for a bail bond to get them out, you would have to pay back the remaining $9,000 to the courts if they do not appear for their scheduled court date. It is big and serious responsibility to sign a bail bond agreement to get a person out of jail. Be sure you can trust them.
What to Get During the Call
If the person calling you from jail is someone you know and trust, and you are going to move forward with helping them get out, whether that means contacting their family for them or actually going through with a bail bond for them, begin with a pen and paper. Get as much information as you can from them while you have them on the phone. They cannot receive calls in jail, so this phone call is the only one you will get unless they can call you back, which you have to pay for.
You will need to know which jail they are calling from, why they were arrested, and whether or not they want to get out of jail before their initial court hearing. Also ask if they have any personal or family matters that need attention, like feeding the dog or picking up the kids from school.
Some people prefer to just stay in jail until their scheduled court hearing so that they do not have to pay for a bail bond, but this is highly discouraged. It is important to get out of jail as soon as possible in order to get back to work and family, and to get started on your criminal defense.
Do you need to get someone out of jail in Indianapolis right now? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for 24 hour bail bonds in Marion County, or anywhere in Central Indiana. We also offer prearranged bail bond service for arrest warrants.
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