Tag Archives: Release on Your Own Recognizance

Which Type of Bail Bond Do You Need?

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Did you know there are multiple types of bail bonds? It’s true; aside from the conventional bail bond you use to get out of jail, there are additional bond options that you may or may not qualify for. Continue reading to review some of the more common types of bail bonds offered in Indiana, and learn which one will best suit your needs for getting yourself or a loved one out of jail.

24 Hour Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
24 Hour Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

The Importance of Bail

There are several ways bail bonds help people.  Having the chance to leave jail and await a court hearing from the comfort of their own home can increase the chances of a person improving their legal situation. You see, when a person is arrested, they are taken to jail to await their court hearing.  Depending on the amount of traffic in the jail, and the type of crime the person was arrested for, court dates can be scheduled days, weeks, or even months away from the date of arrest.

So, if a person cannot gain a release from jail before their court date is scheduled, they are forced to stay incarcerated until then. If this happens, not only must a person make certain arrangements for kids, work, school, and all other important personal matters, they also have to make arrangements for their legal situation or use the court appointed legal counselor for representation in court. Neither scenarios are desirable. Fortunately, bail bonds offer some relief. So, always use a bail bondsman to get out of jail.

Here are the Most Common Types of Bail Bonds:

☑ Property Bonds

These types of bonds are used when someone does not have the cash to bail themselves out of jail; so instead, they put up some of their property.  This can be a house, car, or anything of value that has the equivalent value of the bond.  These bonds are not always available and different from state to state.  If the person shows up for their hearing, then the property is released back to them, as if it were just collateral.  If the person does not show up for their scheduled hearing, then the courts begin to repossess their property, and often times, auctions it off for money.

☑ Surety Bonds

A surety bond is more commonly called a bail bond.  It is the type of bond used in most states to promise the release of someone in jail.  In most cases, the bail agency will charge a standard rate, usually 10% of the full bond amount.  If the total bond amount is $10,000, then you pay a non-refundable service fee of $1,000 to get that person released from jail.  If the person does not show up for the scheduled court date, the bail agency is required to pay the full bail amount for them, unless they can find the defendant who jumped bail, and return them to the courts.  These people are called bounty hunters, and really do exist. 

☑ Release on Your Own Recognizance (OR’d)

This is usually for first time offenders and very minor charges, like unpaid traffic tickets.  This is when the federal law allows a person to be released from jail without bail, under the agreement that they will show up for their scheduled court date, and avoid any more illegal activity.

☑ Citation Release

This is for very minor charges like j-walking.  It is a strategy also used by many county jails to avoid over population issues.  Instead of being arrested and taken to jail, the police officer will issue you a citation or ticket, obligating you to show up for court.  In this situation, a person is free to carry on with their day, but attend a future court date and probably ordered to pay a fine.

Where to Get Fast and Affordable Bail Bonds

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, 24 hour bail bond services in Indiana. Not only can we get you out of jail fast, we can prearrange a bail bond if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant. We provide all Local, State, and National bonds, and serve over 30 Indiana counties. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

4 Ways to Get Released From Jail in Indiana

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In Indiana, there were only four ways a person can get out of jail. Whether you are facing an arrest warrant, or your loved one is currently in custody, this is the information you need to get started on a path toward arranging a release. Continue reading to learn what you can expect when it comes to being released from county jail after an arrest in Indiana.

24 Hour Bail Bonds in Indianapolis 317-876-9600
24 Hour Bail Bonds in Indianapolis 317-876-9600

You Can Hire a Bail Bond Company

Your best option for getting a safe and secure release from county jail in Indiana is to hire a local and experienced bail bond company to obtain a bail bond. In this scenario, you would sign a bail bond agreement which is a legally binding contract, as well as, pay a nonrefundable fee which is a set percentage of the bail amount set by the judge. For instance, if the judge sets bail at $2,000 and the bail bond company charges nonrefundable a percent fee, you would pay $160 for bail bond. See our blog, “Your Options for Covering the Cost of a Bail Bond” to learn more about paying for bail bond services.

You Can Post Cash With the Court or Jail

Another option you have for obtaining a release from jail is to pay the full bail amount in cash directly to the court or jail. Using the same example before, you would pay $2,000 upfront, but then be refunded in full once you appear for your scheduled court hearing. This option is inconvenient, and therefore, less desirable, for most since very few people have thousands of dollars in disposal cash that can be fronted for several weeks or more. Most families need this extra cash for emergencies, groceries, gasoline, and monthly bills. See our blog, “How Long Do I Have to Stay in Jail if I Can’t Afford Bail?” to learn more.

You Can Put Up Collateral to Secure Your Appearance

In another option, you can put up collateral, or something of significant value that will cover the cost of your full bail amount, to obtain a release from jail until your hearing. This placement of collateral is meant to secure your appearance at your upcoming trial. If you fail to appear, you forfeit your collateral, and will have a warrant issued for your arrest. Examples of collateral include real estate, vehicles, boats, fine jewelry, stocks, and bonds. This is typically not a popular option since no one wants to risk losing their house or car in the case that they accidentally miss their court date. See our blog, “What Do Bail Bond Companies Accept as Collateral?” to learn more about collateral bail bonds.

A Judge Might Release You on Your Own Recognizance

Also known as being “OR’d”, a judge might decide to forgo setting bail for you, and instead, simply allow you to leave custody under the agreement that you will appear for your court hearing. This is called being released on your own recognizance, which implies you are being trusted to obey the law and related court orders while waiting for trial. Generally, OR’s are granted in cases of minor crimes, such as adolescent offenses, traffic offenses, shoplifting, and similar minor infractions. See our blog, “Can I Get Out of Jail Without a Bail Bond?” to learn more about this possibility.

Ask a Trusted Indianapolis Bail Bondsman!

If you or a loved one needs bailed out of jail anywhere in Indiana, call 317-876-9600 right away. Our licensed Indianapolis bail bondsmen are ALWAYS standing by, ready to answer your questions about bailing a person out of jail, or turning yourself in for an outstanding arrest warrant, and more. We also provide free estimates, jail information, inmate searches, 24 hour services, and much more.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

How Long Do I Have to Stay in Jail if I Can’t Afford Bail?

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If you are facing an arrest warrant, you already feel the pressure to turn yourself in to authorities. But once you do, you must remain in custody until the judge sets your bail. This can give you even more reason to put off your surrender to your arrest warrant considering you might be worried about paying for bail. After all, not many people have a few thousand dollars of disposable cash on hand, which is what’s required of offenders who wish to post their bail through the jail.

To reduce the cost of bail, you can choose to use a bail bond service instead of dealing directly with the jail, which would allow you to pay only a portion of the total bond amount, thus giving you some financial relief. However, this still requires you to pay out-of-pocket for their services. Overall, posting your bail is up to you. You can choose to pay for bail, or you can choose to remain in jail.

Continue reading to learn the most common factors that influence how long you will have to stay in jail if you cannot afford to pay for bail.

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Factors That Influence Time in Jail

There are many factors that influence how long you will sit in custody before being allowed a release from jail. The first and most influential factor is the charge you are being arrested on. More serious crimes might not be eligible for bail, which means you stay in jail until your court hearings are complete and you are given a verdict. Another factor is your criminal history. If you are a habitual offender, a judge might not grant you bail.

Accordingly, if you have failed to appear for court in the past, the same consequence might occur. Smaller, but still impactful, factors include the activity and traffic within the jail, including how well-staffed they are at the processing center. Also, anyone arrested under the influence of drugs or alcohol will have to wait at least 8 hours to gain sobriety before being booked and processed in the jail.

If You Cannot Pay for Bail

Your first hearing is usually held within 24 to 48 hours from the time of arrest (in the case of a warrant, the time of surrender), and is called your arraignment, or initial hearing. At the time of your arraignment, the judge will either set bail for you, or release you without bail (also known as “OR”, or “own recognizance”). If you cannot pay for bail or a bail bond, your only option is to remain in jail until your next court hearing, which is likely your trial where you will be found guilty or not guilty. You will be entered into “remand detention”, which is for defendants waiting for their trial.  

The time between your arraignment and your trial can range from a few weeks to several months, or even years. Most trials take place within two or three weeks. If you can’t pay for bail, it is important to consult with your public defender lawyer who can help locate a local Indianapolis arrest warrant bail bondsman that can get you out of jail fast, and at a price you CAN afford.

24 Hour Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, arrest warrant bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Not only can we get you out of jail fast, we can prearrange a bail bond if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant. And we provide our services in over 30 Indiana counties, regardless of time, day, or city. Request a free estimate, anytime.

The General Types of Bail Bonds

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Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Everyone has heard the term, “bail bonds” at some point in their life, but hopefully has never had to experience its very harsh realities. Bail bonds are a complicated situation that requires the guidance of a professional. There are many bail bond agencies in your area that can help you with common questions and needs you may have. For a brief understanding, let’s explore the other types of bonds out there, so that you may always know the distinction among them.

Surety Bonds

A surety bond is more commonly called a bail bond. It is the type of bond used in most states to promise the release of someone in jail. In most cases, the bail agency will charge a standard rate, usually 10% of the full bond amount. If the total bond amount is $10,000, then you pay a non-refundable service fee of $1,000 to get that person released from jail. If the person does not show up for the scheduled court date, the bail agency is required to pay the full bail amount for them, unless they can find the defendant who jumped bail, and return them to the courts. These people are called bounty hunters, and really do exist.

Property Bonds

These types of bonds are used when someone does not have the cash to bail themselves out of jail; so instead, they put up some of their property. This can be a house, car, or anything of value that has the equivalent value of the bond. These bonds are not always available and different from state to state. If the person shows up for their hearing, then the property is released back to them, as if it were just collateral. If the person does not show up for their scheduled hearing, then the courts begin to repossess their property, and often times, auctions it off for money.

Release on Your Own Recognizance

This is usually for first time offenders and very minor charges, like unpaid traffic tickets. This is when the federal law allows a person to be released from jail without bail, under the agreement that they will show up for their scheduled court date, and avoid any more illegal activity.

Citation Release

This is for very minor charges like j-walking. It is a strategy also used by many county jails to avoid over population issues. Instead of being arrested and taken to jail, the police officer will issue you a citation or ticket, obligating you to show up for court. In this situation, a person is free to carry on with their day, but attend a future court date and probably ordered to pay a fine.

Indiana Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indiana bail bond service you can trust. Owner, James Woods, and his team of licensed bail bondsmen, provide 24 hour bail bond services in over 30 Indiana counties. Regardless of time, day, or city, we can get you out of jail fast, and for as low as 8% of your total bond! Call 317-876-9600 to learn more about Indiana bail bonds, or to request a free estimate, today.