Being arrested can come with a lot of confusion and uncertainty. It could be the first time that you’re spending the night behind bars. It is easy to panic given the high-pressure that you’re in. Depending on the severity of the crime that you’ve been charged with, the focus should be on getting out of jail so as to prepare for the defense. The court will obviously set a bail bond amount that you’ll need to pay in order to secure your release. It is imperative that you’re aware of the different types of bail bonds and we’re going to highlight some of them.
Cash Bond
In most instances, the police will not release the defendant purely based on the citation. You can only be released when booked and the bail amount has been paid in full. If you don’t have the cash to pay for the bail, someone else can do it on your behalf. A Connecticut bail bonds company could help you settle the amount. The cash bail is paid in cash and not credit or checks from a personal or a company account. The cash amount to be paid will be determined by the state or local bail schedule.
Recognizance Release
This type of bail doesn’t require that you’re paying any amount. Such a bond will only take place after a court hearing. The defendant will need to provide an assurance that they’ll appear in court at a later date. They will also need to comply with all the bail release conditions.
Surety Bond
This is the most common type of bond that you’ll come across. Not everyone will be in a position to pay for the full bond amount when they’ve been arrested. The surety is provided by the bail bonds agent. The company will pay for the bond on your behalf in order to secure your release. When using such a service, you’ll be required to pay a fee which is usually 10% of the total bond amount in order to secure your release. The company that you’re working with might require that you’re providing some form of collateral in order for them to pay the full amount. Most such agents will settle the bond amount within an hour and are usually available round the clock given the nature of the service.
Property Bond
With this type of bond, you’ll be transacting directly with the court. The defendant will need a property of value as collateral. Real estate is usually the most preferred form of collateral. One of the reasons why such types of bonds are not popular is because it takes a while to process. The property will have to be evaluated before the findings are presented in court for them to make a decision. The court can accept property is twice the bond amount in value. It is not always a good idea because there is the possibility of losing the property.
Release on Citation
The arresting officer will need to write a notice indicating that the offender has to appear in court on the specified dates. You might need to go to jail because the officer could release you at the scene of the arrest. Rarely is this kind of bond issue unless under very unique circumstances. The police might opt to release the offender with a minor offense in order to avoid incarceration.
Getting Your Money Back
Bail is not a criminal sentence or a punishment. As such, you’re entitled to get your money back once the court proceedings are complete and you’ve adhered to the requirements. There are generally two outcomes you can expect once you’ve compiled: The bail amount is forfeited or it is released back to you.
The amount will be paid back to you once the case has been concluded. For most states, you can expect the bail amount in two to six weeks after the case is over. In the event that you fail to appear in court or don’t adhere to the bail requirements, the bail could be forfeited. That is why it is important that you’re not missing court dates or following the requirements for the bail.
Conclusion
When you’ve been arrested, securing your release should be a priority. Working with a bail bonds agent will prove to be beneficial in so many ways. You’ll not have to spend another minute in jail and you get to prepare for your defense. It is therefore important that you’re having an understanding of the different types of bails so that you’re making the right decision.