Understanding the Bail Bond Procedure

In court, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, the criminal court judge needs to ensure that the accused will participate in all mandatory court appearances, so they use bail as an incentive.

The judge is the one who decides if the accused can be released on bail and what the bail amount should be. They base this on different factors, including the following:

  • The gravity of the crime
  • Minimizing risk to the community
  • The Judicial Process’ integrity
  • Likelihood of defendant committing new crimes until next hearing

It’s also important to note that the bail amount can be adjusted as the case progresses. 

How Bail Bonds Work

You are free to go until the next court hearing if you settle bail. Once the case is done, the court returns the money. Bail can be paid by you, your family, or your friends.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the financial capability to settle bail in such a short amount of time. You can seek help from one of our bail bond agents in this event.

Our agent will settle the bail, where you pay 15% of the bail amount. If your bail goes over $10,000, you can avail a 5% down payment on the bail bond. You pay us the remaining amount through flexible payment plans.

How to Get a Bail Bond

Call a bail bond agent and provide the necessary information, such as:

  • Full name of the accused
  • Location of the jail
  • Booking or report number
  • Charges they are accused of
  • Other information relevant to the arrest

They will also need you to sign paperwork for their services, pay for your part of the bail amount, and sign off any collateral, if any.

Their familiarity with the bailing process can speed up the release. But it also depends on how crowded the jail is, so the release can take thirty minutes to a few hours.

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Types of Bonds

Cash Bonds

Cash bonds can be settled by you, a family member, or a friend. This requires the full amount and is settled without a bail bond agent. Once your criminal case is done, the court will return the money to you.

If you fail to appear at hearing, the court forfeits the full bail amount and issues a warrant for your arrest.

If the case is related to drug trafficking, you need to prove that your payment comes from non-drug revenue before it’s accepted.

Federal Bonds

If you’re being tried in federal U.S. district courts, this bond is required, but it works like any other bail bond type. The accused still needs to appear in all court proceedings, and the bail amount is forfeited if you fail to make an appearance.

Immigration Bonds

An immigration bond is exclusive to cases related to immigration issues and is posted with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Only bail bonds agents with special insurance licenses can provide an immigration bond.

Property Bonds

A property bond is only possible in select states. It posts the value of the tangible assets to get pre-release from jail. Depending on the state and its laws, the accused may need a court-appointed appraiser to assess the property value being used to post the bail bond.

Why Choose Us

24/7 Services

At Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds, our agents work 24/7, so they can come to your aid at any time. Each agent is licensed, experienced, and knowledgeable about the bail process. You can rely on them to settle your loved one’s bail as smoothly as possible.

Flexible Payment Plans with Zero Interest

We understand that you or your loved one is going through an incredibly stressful time. To make the situation more manageable, we offer various payment options so you can choose the one that works. You can also pay for our bail bond services in cash or by credit card.

Let Us Help You Today

Reunite with your loved ones as soon as possible with our aid. Contact Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds for more information about our bail bond services.

Bail Bond Scams? Don’t Fall For Them

Being granted the option to post bail in North Carolina after being arrested for a crime is a great opportunity for a defendant. Once temporarily out of jail, they can talk freely with their lawyer and work on their defense. Not everyone can afford to post bail, though. Some either choose to stay in jail while awaiting trial or they end up requiring the services of a bail bondsman in Concord.

During these situations, friends or family members of the accused may feel vulnerable. Unfortunately, people with bad intentions can exploit this vulnerability and pose as a fake bail bondsman and subject the defendant to a bail bond scam or bail fraud.

To avoid being a victim of a bail bond scam, keep in mind the following things:

1. Avoid anyone who’s offering a discount

Bail bonds are more affordable than posting bail yourself. Instead of paying the full price, you’ll only pay about 15 percent of the actual bail amount. The bail agent will post the bail in full, but will get their money back if you show up to all your court dates.

Even though bail bonds are already a less expensive option, someone posing as a bail bondsman might still offer you a discount. Beware of these people. Cheap bail bonds may sound like a good idea, but you also might be setting yourself up for a scam where the person offering the discount may not be a bail bond agent at all.

2. Only deal with licensed bail agents

Not just anyone can be a bail agent. A bail bond agent needs to be licensed in order to operate in North Carolina and other states that allow bail bonds. The bail agent must carry their license with them all the time. So, one sure-fire way to know that you’re not getting scammed is by dealing with a licensed NC bail bondsman. Always ask to see a bail agent’s license. If they refuse or get defensive, steer clear of them.

3. You’ll fill out paperwork

As with any legal transaction, the services of a bail bondsman require you to fill out paperwork. A real and trustworthy bail agent will sit the consignee down to fill out paperwork, ask for I.D., employment verification, and other information such as the collateral.

If there’s no paperwork whatsoever, be cautious.

4. Run an online background check

Almost everyone has some kind of an online presence today, even businesses. Just as you might check restaurant reviews before deciding where to eat, some background research on the bail agent or the bail bond company that you’re dealing with. What their previous clients say about them can be of huge help in making sure you’re dealing with someone trustworthy.

Speaking of trust, Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds is the leading provider of bail bonds in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. Since 2009, we have been helping families release their loved ones from jail.

5. Be wary of fraudulent tactics

Scams are everywhere and people who are in panic or desperate need are easy targets for fraudsters. The most effective way to avoid falling prey to bail bond scams is to know what to look out for.

Fraudulent individuals resort to all kinds of scams, but here are some of the most common tactics:

Cold Calls

If someone calls you and says your husband got arrested, it’s easy to be consumed by panic and do as the caller tells you. If at any point in the conversation, the caller tells you they’re a bail bondsman and they can help you get your loved one out of jail, don’t engage. Hang up and call your husband. If he doesn’t respond, call relatives or friends he’s likely to be with. Failing this, call local lock-ups to see if he’s in any of them.

Legitimate bail bond agents never make cold calls. They only call family members on behalf of the arrested party. On the other hand, fraudsters make cold calls in an attempt to get money from panicked loved ones.

Solicitations

Bail bond agents don’t prowl the halls of jails, looking for family members in despair. Remember that you should be the one to get in touch with a bail bond agent, not the other way around. If someone claims to be a bail bond agent but solicits clients at jails and then acts urgent in a way that raises red flags, listen to your guts. If it feels false, it most likely is.

Phone Payments

It’s impossible to sign a contract over the phone. Why, then, should you give someone who claims to be a bondsman money over the phone?

Bail bond agencies are located close to local lockups, and for good reason: they usually ask clients to visit their office to talk about the details.

Threatening and Abusive Behaviors

This may seem like something straight out of an action film, but some bail bond agencies resort to drastic measures to extort money. An article published by the New York Times narrates how a bail bond agency abducted their client and demanded payment from the person’s loved ones, so they ended up paying more than what they originally owed.

If a bail bond agency exhibits threatening or abusive behaviors, assert your rights. If your bondsman tries to detain you, for example, you have the right to look for a warrant of arrest. This is true even if you may have missed payments on the bond. Remember that you have signed a contract and in the event one of the parties fails to comply, you can take the legal route.

Avoid Bail Bond Scams: Work with a Reputable Agency

When you’re in the middle of a crisis, it’s hard to think straight, making you more vulnerable to scams. When a loved one is in jail and someone reaches out to you with an offer that seems too good to be true, wait a little bit more. Make sure everything is legitimate and work only with a reputable bail bond company.

For fast, professional, and trusted bail bond service, Amistad Bail bonds is available to you at any time of day. Contact us at 919-790-6887 for more information.

How Much Will a DUI Really Cost You?

Did you know that getting a DUI involves much more than just spending a night in jail and losing your driver’s license? It’s true- DUI consequences can ruin your life, even if you weren’t involved in a motor vehicle accident.

A single DUI conviction can cost tens of thousands of dollars in fines and legal fees. Not to mention, some hidden costs that you may not recognize until it’s too late.

If you’d like to know more about the costs associated with DUI arrests and convictions, keep reading. We have all the information you need and more right here.

What Is a DUI?

In every state, it’s illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If an officer of the law suspects that you may be driving under the influence, they will pull you over, and possibly perform a field sobriety test. If they suspect that you are driving under the influence, they will arrest you.

DUI Consequences: What Happens After You’re Charged with a DUI?

After you are arrested under the suspicion of operating under the influence, you will be taken to the nearest jail or police station. They will take your mugshot and fingerprints.

You will be given a summons or ticket that tells you when to appear in court. In some states, you can then be released if someone pays your bail and drives you home, but in other states, this is now illegal.

What happens next depends on your court sentencing. If you are guilty, you will lose your driver’s license, spend some time in jail, pay a fine, go to mandatory classes, and complete any terms of your probation necessary. This sentencing can also cause other DUI conviction consequences, like affecting your employment status.

The Price of a DUI

Did you know that a single DWI conviction can cost up to $30,000? Although the lower average is closer to $10,000, depending on where you live and the nature of your crime, costs can skyrocket quickly. Let’s break it down.

Penalties and Fines: $300- $3,000

For a first time offender, you can count on a fine of somewhere from around $300 to $1,000. But if you’ve received a DUI before, it’s more likely to be three times that amount.

Towing: $100- $800

Depending on what company towed and is storing your vehicle, you could be looking at a charge of almost $1,000.

Treatment Program: $700

In many states, DUI offenders are required to enroll in a treatment program. This can cost around $700.

Court Fees: $800

Depending on the length of your court case, you will be charged a varying amount for the paperwork processing fees and other court fees.

Lawyer Fees: $2,500

Although a great lawyer can help you navigate the best possible outcome of a DUI, this comes at a high cost.

Restitution: $500

Some states require that offenders pay into a restitution fund to compensate victims. This fee can be around $500.

Insurance Costs: $2,500 +

If your car insurance company sees that you’re a high-risk client, your insurance premium will skyrocket for a number of years.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, DUI consequences and the costs associated with them can be truly life-altering. From court costs to insurance premiums to DUI attorney fees, the grand total can be truly shocking.

The best form of defense if you or someone you love is convicted of a DUI is to arm yourself with knowledge. Share the information above to spread awareness about the consequences of a DUI conviction.

Have any questions or comments? Feel free to contact us!

Flexible Bail Bonds Payments – 5% Down

Having your loved one behind bar is stressful enough, let alone finding enough money to post bail so that your loved one can return home. With bills to pay and mouths to feed, you most likely don’t have the extra money lying around in order to post bail.

Here at Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds in Wake County, we understand that this is a difficult decision for you to have to choose between your financial obligations and allowing your loved one to return home with you. That is why we give you a second option. For as little as a 5% down payment on the bail, you will have the bail posted without having to make a tough financial decision.

Usually, the low down payment on any bail bond will depend on the amount that is set for bail. The bail amount often varies a bit from person to person depending on the crime you are suspected of, your previous history with the court system or previous arrests. Once you know the bail amount at hand, you can understand how affordable a bail bond down payment can be and how quickly it can return your loved one home without harming your financial security. Continue reading “Flexible Bail Bonds Payments – 5% Down”

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.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Phone Call

There is nothing that can strike fear in your heart than getting a late-night phone call. Not only does the sound of a ringing phone startle you from your sleep, but when your brain finally realizes that it’s the phone making all that racket, you automatically think the worst.

If the call comes from a loved one who has run into some trouble, first you thank your lucky starts that they aren’t hurt, or worse, and then you set about trying to figure out the best way to help them find the best bail bonds Charlotte NC.

Why Post Bail?

When it comes to a loved one who has been arrested, the number one priority is to get them out of jail. If they don’t have money to post bail, they may be faced with spending more time in jail than necessary. If this happens, they could lose their job, custody rights, or find worse trouble on the inside then they experienced on the outside.

Sometimes there may be a plea bargain offered, but it can be difficult for any person to take that bargain and accept erroneous charges when they feel that they have not done anything wrong. Plus, there might be felony charges that go along with the plea and having a felony record does not bode well for anyone’s future. A felony can hold you back from finding gainful employment and cause a host of other problems.

You might wonder how you’d be able to post bail when the cost is too high, or if you simply don’t have any extra money after covering your bills. This is where a bail bondsman can help.

A Bail Bondsman in Charlotte NC Can Help

Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds Charlotte NC knows that this can be one of the most difficult times in your life and we want you to have an easy process. When you get that call in the middle of the night, there is no need for you to get dressed and leave the house to help your loved one; just give us a call. All you need is an email and an internet connection and we’ll have your information processed and taken care of with efficiency. If you prefer to make an office visit, that’s an option, too. Give us a call from wherever you are, and we’ll be there to help you pick of the pieces and get your loved one where they need to be; back home.

What Are Immigration Bonds?

Immigration bail bonds are quite a bit different from standard bail bonds, and these have to do with those who have been arrested and detained for immigration related offenses. If a loved one is arrested and held for reasons relating to their immigration status, an immigration bond can help to bring them home to be with you until their court date arises. Just as there are different types of bail bonds, there are different types of immigration bonds, and it can really help to learn a bit about these types of bonds before finding yourself potentially in need of one.

There are two basic types of immigration bonds to learn about, and these are delivery bonds and voluntary departure bonds. With delivery bonds, a person who has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials may be released on a delivery bond if he or she receives an arrest warrant and has a notice of custody conditions. With this delivery bond, the arrested person agrees to attend all coming immigration hearings, and if this does not occur, the bond amount will not be refunded. While released on this type of bond, the formerly detained person may choose to seek counsel with an immigration attorney.

A voluntary departure bond allows a person detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to leave the country on their own accord, and the bond amount will be refundable once the person in question makes their exit from the United States. If the person stays within the country, the bond amount will be forfeited, and all chances for a refund will be lost.

Immigration bonds can vary greatly in cost, just like typical bail bonds, and your particular situation will determine what sized bond you’re looking at. Both cash bonds and surety bonds are available in immigration bonds, which allow you to either raise the bond money in cash or use assets as a matter of collateral.

There are various situations that may lead a family to be in need of an immigration bond, and we at Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds are here to help. Immigration bonds can help to make a difficult situation easier, and get family members home where they need to be before attending their hearings. Whether you require an immigration bond right away, or you simply have questions about the immigration bond process, contact us at AmistadBailBonds.com to learn more today.

Smithfield Bail Bonds Payment Plans

bail bonds and financing 300x260Posting bond in Smithfield NC can be financially intimidating. While you want to have your loved one returned from jail quickly while they await trial on suspicion of a crime, you’ll also want to protect your own financial security as well. Depending on the suspected crime at hand, a person’s previous criminal history, and their likelihood to skip trial, a person’s bail amount may be rather high or not able to be posted at all. When it comes to bail bonds, we at Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds want to make the decision a bit easier, and we have affordable and flexible payment plans to allow you to get your loved one home once again.

Depending on your situation and the bail amount, our payment plans can range greatly. We have plans that start as low as 5% down, to plans that cover the entire bail premium amount right up front, and it all depends on the bail at hand as well as your own approval.

For a large bail in Smithfield, the down payment amount will vary, but our plans can go as low as 5% down on amounts of $20,000 or more. For larger bail amounts, these can be particularly daunting on the families or those posting bail for an individual through a licensed agent, but a lower down payment can really make the decision to post bail much easier. In order to be approved for a down payment on a high amount, a person will be subject to approval as well as potential collateral needed.

For small bail bonds, our payment premium amounts at Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds will be 15% of the total bail, but this is subject to having the right cosigners and or having the right collateral to protect face value of the entire bond. Small bail bonds are considered to be those between $1,000 and $10,000.

At Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds, we strive to make our payment plans on bonds easy, as we know how difficult it can be when a loved one is placed in jail suspected of a crime. With flexible payment arrangements, the bail process can be much easier for yourself as you have the opportunity to get your loved one back home quickly. To learn more about our bail bond payment plans, simply contact us today and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions!

Getting Your Loved One Out Of Jail

When a loved one has been arrested, you’re going to want to get them out of jail and returned quickly. There is nothing pleasant about these situations, and they are often very stressful for all involved. Being arrested on suspicion of a crime, and awaiting a trial date while in a jail facility, can be a harrowing experience for the person affected and their families, but bail bonds allow them to return home quickly on the promise they’ll appear before the court.

Bail is an agreement that states a person may come home and be trusted to appear before the court when the date of their trial comes. If the trial date rolls around and the individual appears for all court dates without violating any conditions, the bail premium will be returned to the individual who posted the amount, but if the defendant fails to appear, it will be kept. Bail bonds make posting bail much easier for those who have a loved one who has been recently arrested, and the make the process affordable when it comes to getting the individual back home.

The time a person has to post bail may vary, and you can have a loved one out of jail in as little as a half of an hour, or they could be forced to wait for as many as 24 hours before bail may return them home, and this all depends on several factors. The bail amount will also vary, and it may be higher with suspicion of committing serious crimes or a history of previous arrests, and bail may not be able to be posted at all if the defendant has violated his or her bail terms in the past.

When a loved one winds up in jail for any reason, it’s important to get them out promptly and allow them to return home until their trial begins. This can allow for a much easier situation for both the defendant and their families, and can provide ample peace of mind that the loved one is safe. At Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds, we can answer all types of questions regarding bail and the bail bonding system, and to learn more simply check us out at AmistadBailBonds.com.