Category: Bail Bonds

In trouble with the law?

The most recent figures from the FBI show that there are over 10.5 million arrests made every year.

If you or someone you care about is in this position, you need to think about the options available for release. The best way to do that is with a bail bond.

Of course, if you’re asking yourself, ‘how do bail bonds work?’ then it’s time for a quick lesson to bring you up to speed on what they are, and who can take advantage of them.

How Do Bail Bonds Work and What Are They?

Bail is the ‘cost’ that a judge or law enforcement agent will insist upon to secure the release of somebody who has been arrested, on the condition that they return at a later date for trial or sentencing. It may also come with conditions attached, for example restricting their behavior or movement.

A bail bond is, in effect, the financial promise made that the person under arrest will keep to the conditions that are set so that they can then be released. If they fail to do so (for example, by not returning to court when agreed) they will forfeit the bond.

Want to learn more? This FAQ on the bail process from the North Carolina Bail Agents Association should help.

What Is a Bondsman?

It’s important to know how bail bonds work by understanding just who pays for them. If there isn’t the money to pay the cost of the bond upfront, a bondsman could step in to act as a surety.

A surety is someone who promises to pay on behalf of the person under arrest. A bail bondsman will pay the charge, taking on the risk and asking for a deposit upfront from the person under arrest. They can then begin to repay the bond over several installments.

This means that, even on a low income, you or your loved one can still take advantage of a bail bond. At Amistad, we offer flexible payment plans for bail bonds with only a 5% downpayment required.

Who Needs a Bail Bond?

Bail bonds are useful for anybody who doesn’t have the immediate fund available to secure a release. However, it’s important to know that some people aren’t going to be eligible for bail bonds.

Immigration cases, where the person is in good standing (no criminal record, current employment, etc), are likely to be eligible for bail bonds. As, too, are petty criminals where the risk of danger or reoffending is quite low.

If, however, you or your loved one is considered a risk, bail might not be considered, in which case a bail bond won’t be useful. Serious felons, or those under suspicious of serious offenses like murder or terrorism, won’t be able to gain bail with a bail bond.

In Need of a Bail Bond? Get in Touch

An arrest and incarceration can be a difficult and emotional process to deal with, but don’t let the emotion take over.

Now that you can answer the question, ‘how do bail bonds work?’, you should be able to put a plan of action together. Keep the number of a trustworthy bondsman on speed dial and, in many cases, a release can be swift and straightforward upon bond payment.

If you or a loved one are in need of a bail bond in North Carolina, don’t delay in contacting a bondsman you can trust, like us at Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds. Contact us today for free advice and more information on the bail bond services we offer.

Have you or a loved one been and arrested and charged with burglary? If so, you need to know everything about how bail bonds for burglary work, and how they differ between first and second-degree charges.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the bail bond process so you can handle this issue in the smartest and most effective way possible.

How Do Burglary Laws Work?

Burglary is the act of breaking and entering a dwelling or home with the intent of committing a crime like theft. North Carolina recognizes two degrees of burglary, and the bail bonds for burglary in these situations differ. The first degree of burglary is when you burglarize a home when people are there; the second degree is when you burglarize a home that is empty.

It’s important to know that the type of building impacts the severity of the crime. If you break into a building that isn’t a home, you’re usually charged with breaking and entering. The charges will also differ between things like breaking into a place of religious worship versus breaking into a motor vehicle.

The actual sentence you serve, if found guilty, also depends on a variety of factors, such as prior criminal record.

Bail Bonds for Burglary

Now that you know more about how burglary is defined, we can cover the bail bond process in North Carolina. Here’s a quick overview of the bail bonds for burglary process:

Bail Bond Process

After a person gets arrested, they have to go to court for their bail bond hearing. During this time, the judge will weigh in on the crime, and set bail based on circumstances. The bail amount will differ greatly based on whether you’ve committed first or second-degree burglary.

The judge can let the person leave jail on their own recognizance, which means they’re not required to pay any money if they promise to show up for future court appearances. The person can also pay for the bail bond in cash, which isn’t always that practical if the bail is high.

The person can also pay their bail by connecting with a bail bondsperson who will pay the entire amount upfront. Depending on high how the bail is, the company can offer the person a payment plan. If the person shows up for all their future court appearances, the court will refund the bond amount, but the bail bond company y will keep a small percentage of the bond.

Things to Consider When Hiring a Bail Agent

If you or a loved one have been arrested for burglary charges, it may be in your best interest to reach out to a bail company that can help with the bail process in a fast and effective way. Here are some important questions you should ask when considering bail agent options:

• What percentage of the bail do I need to pay for a bond?
• How fast can you get me or my loved one out of jail?
  Are you licensed?
• How will the bail process work?

By asking these important questions, you can find an experienced bail bondsman company that will advocate on your behalf.

Final Thoughts on Bail Bonds for Burglary

If you or a loved one have been arrested for burglary charges, it’s essential that you handle the bail bond process in the best way possible. With this handy guide, you can navigate through the bail bond process in the smoothest way possible and avoid making mistakes.

Do you or a loved one need help with the bail bond process? Contact us for fast, professional, and trusted bail bond service!

You may have heard that the United States has one of the highest populations of incarcerated people in the world. But did you know that many of those individuals are imprisoned because they cannot afford their bail?

It’s true. Estimates indicated that more than 45,000 people are jailed each year who have not yet been convicted of any crime. Instead, they are unable to afford their bail, and therefore must await trial from jail.

Luckily, there are options to help those charged with crimes afford bail. Learning how bail bonds work can help you or a loved one get out of jail and get your freedom.

Here’s what you need to know.

Bail Basics

To understand how bail bonds work, it’s first important to know how bail itself works.

When a person is charged with a crime, there is often a long period of time between the time of arrest and the time of trial. During this time, the person has not yet been found guilty, but the court needs assurance that the individual will, in fact, show up for their scheduled court date.

This usually leaves the individual with one of two options.

1. Wait for the impending court date in state custody
2. Pay an assigned bail amount

Posting bail is a sign of good faith that the charged person will cooperate with the court.

How Bail is Determined

The price of bail is determined by a variety of factors. These can include the severity of the crime, the likelihood that the defendant will commit another crime while awaiting trial, and flight risk.

For this reason, bail amounts can vary widely, ranging from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars.

How to Pay for Bail

Depending on what bail is set at, determining how to pay it can be extremely challenging for many families.

For instance, let’s say an individual’s bail is set at $50,000 dollars. If the family wanted to pay the bail themselves, they would have to bring in $50,000 in certified checks. Alternatively, they could offer property or another asset as collateral.

Of course, most families do not have an extra $50,000 burning a hole in their pockets. But there are other options to pay bail without putting your house on the line.

Working with a Bondsman

Working with a bail bondsman can make posting bail much more affordable. Rather than paying the entire cost upfront, families have the option to pay a 5% down payment, and choose an affordable payment plan for the remaining balance.

Consider the earlier example of a $50,000 bail. By working with a bondsman, you can put down $2,500, rather than having to come up with a year’s salary. This way, you or your family member can get bodily freedom without forfeiting financial freedom.

Learn More About How Bail Bonds Work

With this overview, you should have a solid idea of how bail bonds work, and whether they are the right option for your situation. If you need more information, or would like help accessing bail bonds, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll work with you to identify the right solution for your needs.

So, you had a rough night and ended up in jail. After regaining your bearings and figuring out what went wrong, you realize that you’re stuck.

Because you’re in jail, it means that your charges were greater than a typical speeding ticket, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get out.

The judge can set a bail amount for you which will allow you to get out of jail and return to court for your trial. This bail amount can vary based on the charge and if it is a repeat offense.

Cash Bonds

Unfortunately, upon being brought to jail, you lost access to your wallet, money and cell phone. And you definitely did not have enough cash on you to cover a cash bond.

The next step is to call some friends or family. If you have enough cash, you will be allowed to pay your bond. This money will be returned after all court appearances are met.

If you do not have enough money for your jail bond, a friend can co-sign the set amount and the money will be returned to them once you’ve met your legal obligations.

The Typical Jail Bond

For a more serious charge that carries a higher bail, you may need the help of a bail bondsmen. You friends or family can work with them to pay 15% of your set jail bond and get you out.

The 15% is non-refundable and the bondsmen are taking your word that you will attend all appearances for your charges. However, some bonding companies will set up payment plans.

Property Bonds

When your charges escalate, so does the set amount of bail. This means that your jail bond to get you out will be that much larger and difficult to pay unless you’re very wealthy. At this time, you may look at property bonds which can be signed over until your proceedings are over.

Property may also be required if the defendant has missed other court dates or could be considered a flight risk.

In this instance, your friends or family can use their car, home, land, or any other large value item as collateral to ensure you make your court dates. Keep in mind, that when property is used as collateral, it cannot be used by the bondsmen.

When dealing with property, whether it’s a home, auto, or other, there can be a lot of paperwork involved. This is to ensure that the value of whatever is used matches or exceeds the jail bond as well as that the person putting it up actually owns it.

If you find yourself behind bars, keep your cool. It is likely you’ll be able to get out until your court date. Don’t be intimidated by 15% of your bail as you may have to put as little as 2-3% down, paying the rest of it as mentioned.

Obviously, no one wants to go to jail. And if you do go to jail, you are going to want to get out as quickly as possible. Keep in mind the different types of bonds and what uses they have; let your friends and family help you, and remain on your best behavior.

If you have questions or need reliable bail bondsmen, contact us.

Getting arrested can be scary and stressful, especially once you realize you’re stuck in jail. The good news is that most offenders are able to get out of jail when they post bail via cash or with a bail bond.

But how do you know if you should be posting bail? Is it the best option for you? What are the drawbacks? We are going to take you through the information you need to make that decision.

What Is Bail?

Bail is when you are temporarily released from custody while you await your trial. In order to make bail, you must pay a fee that is set by a judge that varies based on the severity of your crime, your criminal record, and your standing in the community.

Should You Post Bail?

Now that you know what bail is, let’s look at some of the reasons why you would, or would not, post bail.

Freedom

The first, and probably most obvious, reason why you would post bail is that you would be free. Not posting bail would mean you stay in jail until your trial, which means you wouldn’t be able to make any money or support your family.

You wouldn’t be forced to spend any more time in jail if you posted bail. You could go home and see your family and more easily meet with your lawyers. You can even go back to work if you’re able.

Preparation

Posting bail also allows you to prepare for your upcoming trial, whether that means easily meeting with legal help or showing that you’re an upstanding member of the community through your work, volunteering, or community service.

Medical Needs

If you have specific medical needs, physical or mental, then it’s a good idea to post bail. You probably won’t get the care you need while in jail. If this is a significant risk to your health, posting bail is essential.

Expense

The main drawback of posting bail is the expense. You could be looking at thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of dollars that you might not have.

The good news is you don’t have to have all of that money in cash. You can go through a reputable bail bondsman in order to get the money to post your bail. Bail bondsman make it quick and easy to get a bail bond, so you can get out of jail and get back to focusing on your trial and your life.

Some bail bonds businesses offer payment plans to make paying it back easier.

Wrapping Up

Just because you’ve been arrested doesn’t mean that you have to sit in jail until your court date or your trial. Posting bail can get you out of jail and back on your feet after an arrest.

After posting bail, you’ll be free to prepare for your trial, meet with your lawyers, and spend time with your loved ones. All of this can be crucial for the outcome of your trial as well as for your mental health.

If you need help posting bail for yourself or a loved one, don’t hesitate to contact us.

One day, you could end up in jail.

If you do, your first port of call will be bail. In order to get out, it’s important to follow specific steps and not to do anything that could result in your application being refused.

Our bail agents have worked in the system for years. During our time assisting hundreds of different clients, we’ve seen it all.

Read on to find out three bail bond mistakes that we see too often and how to avoid them.

1. Using the Wrong Address

When posting bail, it’s crucial that you provide the defendant’s correct address. If you don’t, you could be putting your bail application at greater risk of being denied.

If the bail bond agency spots anything fishy with your paperwork, they could revoke it altogether.

Make sure you confirm the address before you post bail, so you can be sure that you’re getting it right.

2. Falling Out with Your Bail Co-Signer

When you find yourself in jail, one of the first questions you may ask yourself is “who can bail me out?”

You might be unable to post bail yourself. If you’re lucky enough to have a friend or family member who can help you out, make sure you appreciate what they’re doing for you.

Whoever comes forward to co-sign and pay your bail is doing you a big favor. Too many people make the mistake of taking their co-signers for granted and mistreating them once they get out of jail. Don’t make this mistake.

If they change their mind about helping you out, they can easily remove their name and refuse to pay your bail. If they do, you’ll be taken back into custody, and end up back where you started.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

The same goes if you’re using an agency. If you don’t cooperate, they could refuse to work with you.

3. Traveling While on Bail

It goes without saying that you need to examine and adhere to the conditions of your bail. Often, this involves a limit on travel. Sometimes, traveling is prohibited altogether. In any case, it’s best to avoid it.

If you’re out of town or state while your agency is trying to contact you, it will pose problems. You could even miss a court date, which would jeopardize your case.

If you do travel at all, make sure you notify your agency. Let them know where you’re going, how long you’ll be away for, and how to reach you while you’re there.

Bail Bond: Let Us Help You

The judicial system and bail process are extremely complex, and at times, can be very confusing.

If you or someone you care about has already been arrested, you don’t have time to learn how it all works. We understand that you just want to rectify the situation as soon as possible. We can do that for you.

Our experienced agents work night and day to make sure a bail bond is posted and defendants are released. Find out more how we can help you get out of jail fast.

America has the largest number of prisoners anywhere in the world, and that number continues to grow. Most of these prisoners are in jail for minor offenses, but they can’t afford to post their bail.

They must then wait until their trial, which can take months, or in some cases years. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some options in case you can’t afford to bail out.

1. Online Fund Raising

These sites are a new option that has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Kickstarter and other places allow your friends and strangers to provide money to a cause.

If you have been arrested and are in jail, getting someone to set up a fundraiser for you to get bail funds is a good first step. Even if you don’t get it all, any amount will help.

2. Family

Family tends to come together when times get hard. Have your significant other or a family member reach out to aunts, uncles, and cousins that might be able to help.

They might want to know the details of the arrest, as they don’t want to be responsible if you run from the law when you get out of prison, but just be honest. Everyone makes mistakes and will understand if you tell them what happened.

3. Church

If you need help, whether it is to make bail or for another reason, churches are a great place to look. Religious people give more money to charity than any other group. If you go to your local church on a regular basis, start there.

You can also ask family and friends to ask their churches as well. If an entire network of people is willing to help, it will lessen the financial blow of raising money.

4. Your Lawyer

Often, your lawyer will have access to information that you and family don’t, meaning that they might know someone in your community who is willing to help. There are also local and federal programs that might be willing to assist.

Your lawyer will also be able to keep in communication with loved ones and keep you informed on how the process is going. A good rule of thumb is to always talk to your lawyer before anyone else, as their job is to get you to freedom.

5. Bail bonds Companies Will Pay Your Bail Out

These companies are centered around providing bail out funds to people just like you. They will require you to pay a certain amount of the bond up front and then provide the rest.

There are many advantages to a bail bond company. They know the process and can walk you through it. Payment plans might also be available, helping to spread out the financial liability until you can get back on your feet.

Contact Us Now!

If you or a loved one needs to have bail posted, don’t wait. We can have bond posted and secure a release within 24 hours. If you have any questions or want us to help you, please contact us today.

In recent years the nation’s jail and prison populations have created widespread concern.

The justice system has been under fire to correct a badly flawed bail process. This has resulted in overcrowding in prisons and violation of inmate rights. Many have questioned a system that “penalizes the poor” with jail time, while those who can afford to pay a bonding agent are able to avoid incarceration.

The state of North Carolina has been criticized as one of the worst performing justice systems in the U.S. In addition to receiving local and national attention, the NC justice system has also been a center cause taken up by major advocacy groups. Complaints have included the overuse of sentencing, inappropriate bail structure, and lengthy pretrial hearing wait times.

The cost to NC taxpayers to jail inmates (about $100 per day) has stirred an even greater call for reform.

NC’s Call for Bail Reform Answered

After years of mounting criticism and recent pressure from the feds, NC courts are now being asked to reconsider how they impose bail.

Now, judges are encouraged to take into account criminal histories and attempt pretrial diversion when possible in the case of nonviolent and non-repeat criminals.

Advocates for bail reform claim that this will help to keep dangerous criminals off the streets while they await trial. At the same time, it will alleviate the unnecessary use of jail time for inmates who pose little to no risk to the community.

The proposed bail reform relies on the Public Safety Assessment model. Mecklenburg County has already adopted the model. Many expect more counties will follow suit.

So far, it has placed North Carolina’s broader bail structure in the hot seat and turned up the heat on the courts to reduce instances of imposing bail when unnecessary.

One of the factors in the reformed PSA model is the impact of inmates’ ability to pay on increased jail time. It has been argued that the traditional bail structure is set up to punish the indigent. The proposed reform will greatly reduce the use of bail except in cases of repeat offenders, certain felonies, and those who pose a risk of danger. The stark policy shift would be a drastic change for

If you happen to be a bonding agent in NC, the stark policy shift has the potential to drastically change your profession. How could this affect NC bail bonds industry?

Bail Reform’s Impact on a Bonding Agent

For the bonding agent, the proposed reform policy creates many questions about the future of the bail bonds industry.

Some bail bonding companies worry that this move will devalue the role of the bail bonding. They are concerned that they will not be needed very often and fear the effect it will have on their income.

Some in the bail industry claim the policy shift has already reduced their earning potential.

But, there are those that feel the change has been long-needed and are supportive towards the reform movement. They feel that the demand for their work in some capacity will remain.

Visit our site to find out more about NC bail policy or chat with a local bonding agent!

It’s a call no one wants to get.

Someone you care about has become one of the nearly 11 million people who land in jail every year. They need you to bail them out.

That they need your help doesn’t necessarily mean that you know anything about paying bail bonds in North Carolina. The details are often confusing if you’ve never done it before.

If you aren’t sure what to do, read our…

Guide to Paying Bail Bonds in North Carolina

Not everyone understands the bail bond process, so we’ll start with a quick overview.

Bail Bond Process

After a person gets arrested, they go to court for a bail bond hearing. This generally happens within two days.

The judge weighs the seriousness of the alleged crime. The judge also considers the danger to the community and the chances the person won’t show up for future court appearances.

Bail amounts are set based on these considerations. A relatively minor offense by someone with no criminal history will likely yield a low bail amount. High bail amounts are more likely with serious crimes. The same goes for those with a criminal history.

Once bail is set, there are three main forms of payment.

Own Recognizance

Judges can allow a person to leave jail on their own recognizance. That means the person essentially promises to show up for future appearances.

No money changes hands in these cases. The person’s signature takes the place of money. A warrant will still be issued if the person fails to appear.

Cash

Another option for paying bail bonds in North Carolina is cash.

This option isn’t always practical if the bail is high. The person needs someone, such as family or friends, to pay the court the entire amount of the bail.

If the person shows up for all their future appearances, the bail money is typically refunded.

Bonds

Another option for paying bail bonds in North Carolina is to get a bond through a bail bondsperson.

The bail bond company pays the court the entire amount and the person is released.

A secured bond requires you give the bondsperson collateral that is worth a percentage of the bond. This might be cash or property, based on your circumstances and the bondsperson’s policies.

Depending on how high the bail is, some bail bond companies offer payment plans.

With an unsecured bond, you promise to pay the full amount of the bond if the person doesn’t appear in court.

If the person shows up for all future appearances, the court refunds the bond to the bondperson. Bail bond companies generally charge a service fee that is a percentage of the bond.

Say the bond was $5000 and the service fee was 10%. Then, you will owe the bondsman $500.

Parting Thoughts

No one wants to get that call from the jail, but it pays to know what to do.

You’ll either need to pay the court the entire bail amount or enlist the services of a bail bondsperson. Just remember that you’ll still need to give the bondsperson some collateral in most cases.

Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds offers bail bond services to Raleigh, NC residents. If you’re in need of bail bond services or have questions about our service, don’t hesitate to contact us today.