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Bailing yourself out of jail may seem like a faster way to regain your freedom. But it’s also a decision that can come with an array of caveats, as you’re about to see. Considering that most bail amounts in our area run from $500 on the low end to $10,000 on the high, that’s a pretty large chunk of change to be carrying with you! Most people don’t have that kind of money on them in cash, so bailing yourself out of jail may not be possible. However, if you are fortunate enough to have the cash, then yes, you can bail yourself out. Let’s take a look at your options to determine which route will work best for you.

What Happens When You Get Arrested?

Getting arrested happens once a law enforcement officer has determined you’re at fault for a crime worthy of arrest. This can range from less serious offenses (public intoxication) to crimes of a grievous nature (battery, rape, murder). Once you’re taken into custody by the officer, they’ll take you to the city or county jail. Here, you’ll have your picture and fingerprints taken and be booked into custody.

Once you’re in a jail cell, the bail process can begin. This consists of the following:

• You learn when your arraignment will be (usually within 48 hours)
• A bail amount is set by a judge at the arraignment
• You get the option of paying the bail amount in full or contacting a family member or bondsman to help cover the cost

How Do You Bail Yourself Out of Jail?

At the arraignment, the judge will determine if you qualify for bail. There are many factors the influence their decision, such as:

• Your flight risk
• Past criminal record
• Severity of the crime

The judge will tell you the bail amount at the arraignment if you qualify. You’ll need to pay the full amount upfront and in cash in order to get released from jail until your trial. The more serious the crime is, the higher your bail amount will be. 

If you have the amount on you or can scrounge it up, then you’re free to go. However, if the amount is too high or you can’t afford it, then you’ll need to stay in jail and seek outside help from a family member or a bondsman.

The Pros and Cons of Paying for Your Own Bail

Should you bail yourself out of jail? This is a tough question with no easy answer. If you’re innocent of the charges against you, then it might make sense to try and get out so you can better prepare your defense. If you’re guilty or think you might be convicted, then it might be better to stay in jail and receive a reduced sentence.

Also, there’s the issue of accessibility. Most people aren’t going to have an extra $500-$1,000 in cash handy to spring for the bail right there on the spot. You’re almost certainly going to need to involve a friend or family member in getting you access to the funds.

When it comes to paying for your own bail, it can expedite the time to getting your release. But what you have to consider is that not showing up for your next court date, even if it’s for reasons beyond your control, will result in you losing all of that money. Not to mention, you are allocating a lot of your financial resources to your bail, instead of using it to hire a great lawyer.

When you use a bondsman, they can get you released within a couple of hours too. You won’t need to use all of your money to pay for bail. Instead, you only need to pay a small percentage of the bail amount to secure a bond. You can then use the rest of your money for your defense team or other life necessities.

Hiring a Bondsman

If you can’t afford to bail yourself out of jail, then you’ll need to seek outside help. Don’t bother your family with a loan if you don’t have to. A bail bondsman is affordable and an excellent option for bailing yourself out of jail fast.  

Bail bondsmen are professionals who can help you post bail and get you out of jail quickly. The fee that you’ll pay is minimal (generally, around 10-15% of the total bail amount). From there, the bondsman will post the bail for you in exchange for the fee and the promise that you will appear at court for the next scheduled time. As long as you follow the bail rules, everything will go smoothly.

The right bail bondsmen are located close to the detention centers they serve, have a working knowledge of the courts’ system, and are in good standing so you can rest easy that your money will not be misused and your trust will be kept. Bondsmen are usually great people to start with regarding your defense as well, as many have relationships or knowledge of the quality attorneys who specialize in the types of defense that you’re going to need.

Contact Delta Bail Bonds Today 

Being arrested is scary, but it’s much easier to navigate with an advocate on your side. At Delta Bail Bonds, we’ve been that way for individuals in your situation for many years. No judgment, just support. That’s what we can grant you. Contact us today to learn more or to get the process started.

Dallas Public Defender’s handle more than 30,000 cases each year for people who cannot afford cash bail or a private attorney. For many of these individuals, there’s an additional cost to all of this, and it comes in the form of their jobs.

Some get terminated while others lose standing with their employers and are forced to quit because they don’t get as many hours. From there, traditional work is hard to come by. But there is a way to hold on to a relationship with your employer, and in this article, we explain how.

1. Don’t panic – keep a clear head and stay calm

Emotions come pouring in after you’ve been arrested. Hopefully, it’s an experience you’ll never have to know about. But if you’re here, either you’ve been there or you have a loved one going through it now.

You replay what led you to this point. Wonder how you’re going to explain it to the people who matter to you. And yes, you wonder how you’re going to stay employed once your boss finds out everything. Even if you’re completely innocent, perception is reality.

If people perceive you’re guilty, then that means you’re guilty. Innocent or not. And when those “people” sign your paycheck, look out!

Stop right there. The sun is going to rise and fall. You’re going to get up tomorrow, and life will go on. Avoid the worst-case scenario mindset. You can get through this if you keep a cool head. Slow time. Let each breath be all that matters, and make it as successful as possible.

2. Contact an attorney as soon as possible

Getting out of jail should be your first priority. However, a close second should be deciding on your legal defense. There are two options when it comes to this. You can either hire a private attorney or you can wait until after the arraignment and get assigned one by the court.

The first option may be more expensive, but it’s also less stressful. After all, you’ve just been arrested and are in an emotionally vulnerable state. It’s easier to work with someone who understands your situation than try to make sense of the court-assigned lawyer’s unfamiliar jargon.

Either way, be sure to contact an attorney ASAP. They’ll be able to explain your rights and guide you through this difficult time so you can focus on getting back to your job and your daily routines. Stay calm and remember that you still have options.

3. Cooperate with law enforcement officials

There’s nothing to be gained by stoking a confrontation. Any overt hostility, be it taking to social media or calling and leaving nasty messages, can only work against you. It doesn’t matter if you feel you’re being unfairly treated. That’s what your day in court is for.

Save your aggression for a healthy defense. Otherwise, those Facebook screenshots and recorded phone lines are going to come back to haunt you. And it may be sooner rather than later. That’s because you’re likely social media friends or in some other form of close contact to fellow co-workers. All it takes is one mentioning what you’re doing to your boss.

Most employers will get spooked having someone of that nature working for them. From there, it becomes very easy to justify your termination.

4. Don’t talk to the media or anyone else about your arrest without an attorney present

There’s little to be gained by talking about your case with anyone but your attorney. Talking to the media only runs the risk of incriminating yourself. You never know who’s going to be recording the conversation or how it will be twisted later on. Even if you think you’re helping your case, it’s best to let your lawyer do the talking.

Furthermore, talking to people you think you can trust or to whom you think have no reason to talk about your case could result in third-party information being used to help the prosecution.

Work-wise? That old saying, “there’s no such thing as bad publicity”? Tell that to your boss when someone connects your case to their business.

5. Be prepared for your arraignment

Get access to a copy of your police report. Know what charges you’ll be facing. Convene with your attorney to decide what the least damaging course of action will be. If the evidence is on your side, then fight the charges. If it’s not, consider a plea deal. Have a good idea of which course you’ll take before your arraignment.

That way, you can explain things to your employer and make as many arrangements as possible to stay in good standing with your shifts and your job as a whole.

6. Respect the court process and COMMUNICATE!

That means making all your court dates. It also means keeping the conditions of your release. No effort that you put forth with your employer will help if you’re violating the court’s demands in the process. For this, a little communication with both parties goes a long way.

Some things to say to your boss might include, “Look, I made a mistake, but I’m determined to do everything in my power to do what the court expects of me and meet my obligations here. And if I can’t, then I promise to communicate in advance of any potential conflicts.”

Most employers will be grateful and willing to work with you provided the crimes are not too serious. (Then, if they are, it might be difficult to procure bail in the first place.)

Worried About Your Job Prospects After Getting Arrested?

Concern is understandable. There’s still a stigma that goes with being arrested. But you can push back against it without it affecting your work. It starts with securing bail and then committing to the steps listed above. Need help with those next steps?

Delta Bail Bonds believes in being there for our clients every step of the way. Contact us today, and get an advocate in your corner who can help guide you through arrest, bail, and what comes next. Contact us today!