Whether you get a call in the middle of the night or you were with them to witness it, watching someone you love to get arrested can be a shocking and traumatic experience. In times like these, one can feel helpless, but following these simple steps can help you take charge and help to get your loved one out faster.
Get all relevant information
For the next few steps, you are first going to need to gather the information that will be needed to proceed further. The first thing everyone will ask for will be the contact information of the defendant. This is both in physical residence and other contact information such as phone number, email address, etc. as well as their detainment contact information. This means things such as the facility name and address they are being held at as well as their inmate number and the bond amount. Once you have this information, then we can move on to the next step.
Get in touch with a bail bondsman
After you have all the necessary information, the next thing to do is get in contact with a bail bondsman. Make sure that look for a licensed and reputable bail bondsman, and never accept a solicitation to have an inmate’s bail taken care of. Your bail bondsman will guide you through the next steps about how to get your loved one released on bond, how much it is going to cost to get them released, and other options that may be available depending on the location that you live in.
Consider co-signing a bond
Sometimes it might be necessary to have someone else help with the financial cost of getting a bond for the release of the defendant. In these cases, there may be the option to co-sign a bond. Much like a loan with a co-signer, both of the signees are liable for the bond amount and the consequences of a defendant not showing up to court. While this may be the best or only option to get someone released, it is a decision that should not be taken lightly as there are legal and financial ramifications in the event of a skipped bail.
Be there when they get released
Once the bond is paid and the facility has processed the defendant’s release, the next thing to do is be at the facility to pick them up. The release process can vary in procedure and the time of release and in some cases may be in a remote area. Being at the facility located at the time of release will get them to you faster and ensure that they are in good hands.
