Bail Bonds in Raleigh, NC: What Happens If I Don’t Show Up in Court?

Approximately half a million people in the U.S. are currently being detained pretrial. Getting arrested and placed in custody can be such a scary experience. Luckily, you can walk out of jail after an arrest after posting bail bonds Raleigh NC.

But after getting out, life can get in the way and you may forget your next court date. Whatever the situation, failure to appear in court is a charge in itself and can land you in a lot of trouble.

Below are some of the consequences you may face if you’re a no-show in court after being released on bail.

Face New Charges

Apart from your existing charges, you may face new charges if you skip bail. You’ll be charged with failure to appear and courts take this seriously.

Get a Warrant

When the court calls your name during a court hearing and you aren’t present, they will issue a warrant. They may not do it right away but they will after the time passes and you still don’t show up.

End Up Back in Jail with No Bail Option

Receiving a warrant means that law enforcement officers will look for you and arrest —wherever you may be. When they find you, you’ll have to face jail time. Since you failed to follow one of the most requirements of bail, the courts will not offer bail again.

Owe Your Bail Bonds Company the Money

Sometimes you may not have enough money to post the entire bail with the court. A bail bondsman can act as a surety and provide your bail, promising that you will appear in court. When a bail bonds agency is involved in the deal, they will lose money when you skip bail.

In case this happens, the bail bonds company will charge you the full amount paid for your release. You will also lose the fee you paid them for their services.

Lose Your Bail Money

Paid your bail with your own funds? You should not expect to get it back after you skip bail. No matter how much you paid, the court will keep your money if you fail to appear in court.

If you attend all hearings and complete all other requirements, you will get the money you paid as bail back. However, the court will deduct expenses it charges you in the case.

Reschedule Court Dates

Sometimes you may miss your court appearance for understandable reasons like an illness. When this happens, the court may be lenient and reschedules the court date.

But there isn’t any guarantee of this. It’s why you should treat your case with utmost importance.

What Happens if You Paid Bail for a Person Who’s a No-Show in Court?

When you pay bail for someone, you assume the responsibility for ensuring that they appear in court. In case they fail to appear for their court hearings and are on the run, you can lose any money you paid as security. You may also have to pay the increased bail bond.

However, you can apply for the reinstatement of the bond if you succeed to track the person down in 90 days. When you do, you should report them to police and fill out the necessary paperwork.

They will arrest the person and notify the court. This ensures your claim of reinstatement is considered.

Generally, you should avoid paying bail for anyone you believe may not adhere to bail bond requirements.

How Can a Bail Bond Company Help Ensure a Court Appearance?

Posting bail bonds help ensure that you do not run after being set free on bail after an arrest. If bail bond agents provided your bail money, they can keep tabs on you and ensure you show up for court. Here are some of the ways they can help.

Tracking Court Dates

Your bail bond agency can help ensure you attend court by helping keep track of your court dates. They will have access to your court’s hearing calendar. This allows them to see the dates of your court appearances and they can remind you.

They will most likely reach out to you a day or two before the court hearing to notify you about your next court date and the time. It ensures you do not forget about your court hearing and show up.

Maintaining Regular Contact

The bail bondsman will try to maintain regular contact with you. Most bail bond agents will need you to show up in their offices. It may be once a week, every other week, or at least once a month.

They may also have other rules like requiring you to call them regularly or submit to a drug or alcohol testing. By maintaining regular contact with you, it may help increase your chances of showing up to court.

Threaten You with a Jail Term

If you do not follow the rules set by a bail bonds agency, like checking in, they may hang the prospects of going back to jail on your head. Since you post bail to stay out of jail, you won’t want them to follow through with their demands and revoke your bail. This will encourage you to follow their rules including showing up for a court appearance.

Remanding You into Custody

If the threats don’t work, the bail bond agent has the power to revoke your bond and place you in custody. Having this power is often enough incentive is enough to ensure you take showing up to court seriously and show up.

Bail Bonds Raleigh NC: Consult with Bail Bond Experts

Are you unable to come up with bail bonds Raleigh NC? Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds can help. We’re a leading bail bond provider in the Triangle area. Our agency provides residents in Raleigh with fast and considerate bail bond services.

Don’t worry if the judge sets expensive bond payments. We assist in all and any bond size. Our services are available 24 hours a day. Contact us to make an appointment.

Nothing to Worry About: The Different Types of Immigration Bonds

Many Americans are familiar with the concept of posting bail. Essentially, being a citizen of the United States requires one to be acquainted with the laws that can land them in jail. Foreigners or immigrants, on the one hand, may not be as well-versed with our legal system.

Ignorance of the law is never an excuse, but when the ICE comes knocking on your doorstep and barring you or your loved one’s entry, posting bail can help improve the situation.

For instance, there are bail bonds in Raleigh, NC available at any time of the day. Why would you spend hours in jail, at ungodly hours, when you can be productive by talking to your attorney while out on bail?

It is important for people from across the world, especially with the nation’s current sociopolitical climate, to know how they have a way out in order to get in.

Continue reading “Nothing to Worry About: The Different Types of Immigration Bonds”

What You Need To Know About Turning Yourself In

Just found out that there is a warrant out for your arrest? Missed a hearing because you never received the notification or had an emergency that got in the way? Whatever your reason may be, if you have a warrant out for your arrest there are a couple things you should probably know before you turn yourself in.

You Should Have A Criminal Defense Attorney At Your Side

When you find yourself in any kind of legal trouble, it is a good idea to have some legal representation. With a quality Raleigh lawyer at your side, you must be represented by a professional that will walk you through the process, give you solid advice, and make sure that you know your rights. Additionally, an attorney will ensure that your rights are protected and that you are fully prepared for your day in court. Continue reading “What You Need To Know About Turning Yourself In”

Bail Bond Alternatives You Should Know About

bail bond alternatives you should know aboutHaving your loved one behind bars is frightening enough, let alone trying to find the money you need to post bail so they can return home.

Before you can understand your bail bond options, there are a few things you need to understand about bail.

How Is The Bail Amount Determined?

Determining the bail amount requires a few different factors to be taken into consideration. Factors such as the nature of the alleged crime, the person’s criminal history, and their likelihood of appearing for their court date are all taken into consideration to set bail and the amounts can range vastly. Continue reading “Bail Bond Alternatives You Should Know About”

How The Bail Bond Process Works

The bail bond process may seem intimidating, but here we have designed a step by step guide for you to better understand what we do in Raleigh and surrounding areas. The bail bond process can be quite simple when you have Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds on your side. We work with you and your family members to make sure the debt is paid, and that it is paid quickly. We know this is a stressful time for anyone involved, so we want to make the bail bond process as simple as possible. Learn more here, and always call us if you ever need help with a bail bond in Raleigh!

Infographic on how the process of bail bonds work at Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds, in Raleigh.

What You Need to Know About Bail

How Bail Bonds can Help When You Need Them Most

If you are new to the justice system and the bail process in particular, then you may have a number of questions about what is required, how it works and what you and your incarcerated loved one should expect. Be offering comprehensive consultations for residents throughout the Raleigh and Wade County areas, we help alleviate some of the anxiety and confusion surrounding bail bonds and how they serve you. Here are a few aspects about bail and bondsmen that you may not have been aware of.

Not everybody needs bail.

Before you go through the process of trying attain a bail bond, make sure that bail is even being required for release. Many non-violent and first-time offenders are released on their “own recognizance” if they are considered to be low flight risks. However, stiff penalties and punishment exist for those that fail to show for court after being released in this manner.

Paying small bail amounts out-of-pocket isn’t always the good idea it seems.

Because the court system can take months, and very often, even years to come to the judgement and sentencing phases, those who paid bail on anyone’s account is basically tying up that cash for years. Unless charges are dismissed or the defendant is acquitted, your funds won’t be returned to you until the conclusion of the case. And if the defendant skips any court date, you are out of the invested money.

Other stipulations, other than court appearances, set by the court can determine the forfeiture of bail.

Even if the defendant you posted bail for attends all the court dates required, they can still cause you to lose the bail amount. Bail bondsmen also  have the right to set requirements that must be met during this time in order to ensure they recoup their costs. These stipulations may include enrollment in drug and alcohol programs and having to stay within a certain city or state until the conclusion of the case.

You’ll most likely need to provide collateral on that bail bond.

As a convenience, and as insurance of recovering their investment, many local bail bondsmen in the Raleigh area accept a variety of collateral types. A surety bond is one where you pay to the bondsman a premium to cover the bond – usually about 10 percent. Other ways of insuring the bond is by putting up real estate, bank accounts, automobiles and other valuable property.

Getting someone you love released on bond may seem like a daunting and complicated process. Here at Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds we understand that this is an emotional time for your family and we are ready to help with a variety of bail bond solutions.

Bail Amounts: How They are Determined by The Courts

One of the most unpleasant experience one can deal with, is that of being arrested and charged with a crime. The confusion of what to do next, coupled with the questions of how long one will be held in a cell, exacerbate the anxiety attached to the process. Luckily, in this country, accused parties have the right and opportunity to post bail. But one question usually remains until the judges gavel comes down after that first proceeding: What will bail be set at?

In order to ensure that a suspect returns to court, a judge sets a bail amount that is meant to encourage that person to continue to appear as required until the trial is complete. A number of mitigating factors must be considered by the court before bail amount is set. In most cases, the state establishes what guidelines should be considered in setting bail amounts. These factors often include:

  • The nature and seriousness of the crime.
  • The initial evidence that exists against the defendant.
  • The defendant’s ties to the community; i.e. length of residency, employment history, family history and mental condition.
  • The defendant’s past legal record including previous arrests, convictions and failures to appear.
  • The level of perceived danger to society.
  • The possibility that the suspect’s financial income is linked to criminal activity.
  • The probability that the defendant may intimidate or endanger his victim(s).
  • The defendant’s financial situation.
  • In drug cases, the street value of the drugs involved.

At Amistad Bail Bonds, we understand that every situation is different. For us, this means we never treat two cases alike. We don’t provide you with scripted answers. Rather, we offer free personalized consultations, and we help you find the legal information you need, as fast as possible.