19 Apr Does Bail Need to be Posted Right Away?
You’ve just gotten a call from a loved one. They’ve been arrested. They’re scared. They know how much bail is needed but they don’t have the funds available. You’ve agreed to help but aren’t sure how much time you have to act.
The first thing you need to do is stop and take a deep breath. You’ve got this!
Yes, your loved one wants to be released from jail as quickly as possible but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a little time and think about the situation. The good news is that you’re loved one’s bail doesn’t have to be posted right away. Yes, they may have to spend a few more hours or days in jail, but they’ll be fine. Bail doesn’t have a time frame. It can be posted right away or six months after you’re loved one was arrested. You’re free to take as much time as you need to decide how you want to handle the situation. You deserve to take your time and approach this project with a clear head.
The second thing you want to do is decide how you want to cover your loved one’s bail. Do you have enough money to cover the bail yourself or do you need the help of a bail bonds agency? If you decide you need an agency, you’ll want to give yourself enough time to research all the local ones so that you can choose the one that’s the most reputable.
Once you’ve selected a bail bonds agency you want to work with, you must learn what kind of things you need to secure a bail bond. Find out if you’ll need a co-signer if you have to use anything as collateral, what your responsibilities are as the signer of the bail bond, and if you qualify for any discounts or payment programs. Make sure you ask lots of questions during your initial consultation with the agency.
Before you sign with a bail bonds agency, you need to have a serious conversation with your loved one. This conversation is to make sure you’re both going into this process with your eyes wide open. Make sure you discuss who is paying the 1% to 5% fee the bail bond agency requires, what is at stake if they fail to attend their court dates, what rules they have to follow while their out on bail, and what you expect them to do after they’re released from jail.
This is one of those situations where everyone must be on the same page.
If you or a loved one finds themselves in need of a bail bond, it’s in your best interest to contact Hawaii Bail Bonds. We have a long history of helping people just like you. We offer free consultation, flexible payment plans, easy-to-understand contracts, and 24/7 service.