The first thing that you want to do after being arrested and placed in jail is get out. Your release conditions will depend on your criminal charges and any potential consequences of not attending your court date. Before you can go home, you must learn how to get out of jail in Savannah. The circumstances of your arrest will determine how you proceed, as well as other factors like your criminal record and financial resources.
You will want to know if you can “post bail” to be released from jail for the type of crime you’re accused of. It is important to understand what conditions may be imposed on your release. This article will explain the differences between bail and bond.
The Difference Between Bail and Bond?
It can be confusing when attorneys use bail and bond interchangeably. Technically, Bail is money or property required as a security deposit to ensure you will appear at your court date and return if released. You can show your commitment to returning to court by paying the bail. You forfeit your bail if you fail to keep this promise.
You may not be able to pay or get the money fast. A bondsman or bonding firm can help. In exchange for a fee, they promise the court to pay your bail on your behalf. The financial guarantee from the bonding agency is known as a Bond.
A bail bond is an agreement between you and the company that provides bonding services. The bond is known as a bail to make it clearer what its purpose is. The bondsman will post your bail in exchange for payment.
The bonding company or bail bondsmen do not provide this service for free. Costs vary depending on the company. Some companies charge 15% while others only charge 10%. If your bail was set at $25,000. Then 10% of that amount would be $2,500. That is the amount you will need to pay to your bondsman.
Some companies will require that you pay the entire amount, while others allow for a partial payment and the remainder to be paid. You will receive all or part of your money back if you pay the entire amount to the court. You will not receive your fee back if you pay the bonding company to post bail.
The Judge’s Decision On Bail
When setting bail, judges consider several factors.
- Criminal history
- Prior Record
- If there are any outstanding warrants against a defendant
- Bonds given in the past
- Flight risk
- Financial status
The judge wants you to return to court if the amount of money that you will lose is too high. You or your lawyer can request a lower amount, based on factors such as good character, being the first person to be accused of this crime or that you are unlikely to flee.
Bail Conditions
Bail Conditions are conditions set by the court, in addition to money. They can be extremely restrictive. Conditions may include that you stay home, unless you are accompanied by family or friends, refrain from making contact with witnesses and surrender firearms or any other weapons. You could lose your bail privileges if you do not adhere to these conditions.
You will be held in custody until the date of your trial if you cannot post bail. This can either be done with your own money or by a bonding agency. If you have paid bail, however, you can leave jail to attend your trial.
Alex Adekola is a proven thought leader in the reputation management industry who has targeted mugshot publishers since 2012. He is the longest-serving reputation and crisis management strategist and has written extensively on crisis management. He is the creator and director of strategy at Incept Technologies.