Beautifying Your Financial Picture

On Your Own And Stuck Behind Bars: What To Do

by Darryl Nguyen

Not everyone has a friend or loved one ready to bail them out of jail. Being arrested can cause feelings of fear and loneliness and getting out of jail is important even if you don't have others to help you. You can bail yourself out of jail if you have the resources and you are offered bail. Read on and learn more.

Ask for an Own Recognizance Release 

You might be able to get out of jail without having to pay any money. When you are released on your own recognizance, you are free from jail based on several factors. Those who are charged with misdemeanors, first-time offenders, and those who are accused of non-violent crimes may be more likely to be released on their own recognizance bond. Just as with a regular bail bond, however, there are rules to be followed and you can be rearrested for not obeying them.

Pay Your Own Bail

If you have enough money with you to pay the full bail, you may be able to do so. However, bail can be very expensive, and few people have that much cash with them when they are arrested. Some jail facilities have ATMs available for just this purpose. This type of release includes conditions, and the bail obligation ends when the case is over. You may be refunded your bail money at the end of the case.

Hire a Bail Bonding Agent

Though it is quicker and easier to work with a bail bonding agent through an outside family member or friend, you can often also arrange for a bail bond from inside the jail as well. This way of getting out of jail may not be available in your location, however. It may be more likely to happen when your bail is relatively low and affordable, and you have ties to the community.

The bail bonding agent may ask you some questions about your family, your employment, your addresses, whether you own a home or not, and more. Those questions are to help the bonding agent determine your trustworthiness. If you are bonded out of jail, expect to sign paperwork and pay the bail bond immediately. The bonding agent has the power to revoke (cancel) your bail bond and that can send you back to jail in no time.

Bail bonds are a less expensive way to get out of jail because you only are charged a small percentage of the full bail cost. 

For more info, contact a company like Vaughn's Cowtown Bail Bonds.

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