When a loved one is arrested, it can be a confusing and frightening experience. You may not know what to do or where to turn. Bailing someone out of jail may be the best option. If you are struggling with this decision, know that it can make a huge impact for the better. In this article, we detail the six reasons to bail your friend or family member out of jail.
1. Avoid Dangers of Remaining in Custody
Bailing a loved one out of jail can help them avoid the dangers of remaining in custody.
Even for misdemeanor cases, this can be valuable. That’s because a loved one who’s committed a misdemeanor is housed at a county detention center. These centers are designed for low-level offenses, but they’re also interim facilities for offenders facing more serious charges.
The chances of your loved one encountering a violent offender are pretty significant. At least, the chances are higher the more time that your loved one spends in custody.
2. Ensure Access to Resources and Support
You can help ensure they have access to the resources and support they need.
People go to jail for a variety of reasons, and the catalyst that puts them there is often the company they keep. Or, it could be due to a lack of resources (e.g., shoplifting food because they don’t have money). Getting arrested is never a good thing in itself, but it can be a wake-up call as to what your friend or family member is going through.
By stepping up and being there for them, you can keep them away from the negative influences. You can also dispel their assumption that they have nowhere to turn.
3. Monitor Case Closely
Bailing them out also allows you to monitor their case more closely.
The closer of an eye that you keep on their case, the more that you could prove to be an asset. For example, you may be able to help them get in touch with the right people. The criminal justice system is notoriously confusing, and your loved one is going to need all the help they can get.
As their case progresses, you’ll be able to provide more support. This includes everything from helping them look for an attorney to simply being a shoulder to cry on.
4. Help Them Get Back to Work
Bail may help them get back to work and support themselves and their family.
It’s an unfortunate reality that one arrest can affect so many more people. Oftentimes, it affects individuals who are completely innocent, such as a spouse or children of the accused. Without bail, a friend or family member who’s the primary earner could find themselves sitting through work shifts in a holding cell.
Employers are under no obligation to continue employing an individual who misses their shifts inexplicably. And many employers do not have patience for workers who are arrested, whether through their own fault or a misunderstanding.
Be the person who steps up and gets your friend or family member back on their feet. It’s an act of mercy that allows them to regroup and handle their obligations so the fallout is kept to a minimum.
5. Reduce the Chances of Them Re-Offending
Bailing a loved one out of jail can also help reduce the chances of them re-offending.
Bailing a loved one out may seem like a small gesture, but it can actually have a constructive impact on their odds of reoffending. Studies have shown that people who are bailed out of jail are less likely to be re-arrested than those who remain in custody. In Texas alone, for example, the odds of recidivism three years after an arrest are just one in five.
This is likely because bail provides a sense of stability and allows people to maintain their jobs and housing. In addition, bail gives people the opportunity to participate in rehabilitative programs and stay connected to their families. By bailing out a loved one, you can help them stay on the right path.
6. Act of Love and Support to Make a Difference
Bailing a loved one out of jail is an act of love and support that can make a difference in their life.
The number of Americans who have criminal records is roughly equal to those who have college diplomas. Getting arrested can be a crossroads where one goes down a negative path or toward a more productive future.
Reducing the amount of time that your loved one spends in jail can be a significant factor in which path they choose. By taking that step, you can be a difference-maker in their lives. With any luck, they will start to see that there are alternative paths they can choose and that they are valued in the eyes of others.
The Decision to Bail A Loved One Out of Jail Is Hopefully One You Will Never Have to Make
However, if you do, know that the effort you’re making is not in vain. It can have long-lasting ramifications that create a positive ripple effect in your loved one’s life and the lives of all who depend on them. Do you have a friend or family member in the Dallas or McKinney areas who’s been arrested and needs your help? Turn to Delta Bail Bonds today and let this be the first day of a brighter tomorrow.