3 Ways To Make Sure You Don'T Pay Too Many Bail Bond Fees

If a loved one of yours has ended up in jail, and you are tasked with getting them out of jail, it is essential to make sure you don't end up paying too much for their bail. Here are a few ways to make sure that you don't pay too much for your relative's bond.

Retain A Defense Attorney

Before paying bond, make sure that you retain a defense attorney. Often times, if you do end up having to pay bail, your attorney can refer you to bail bonds person, and your bail bond fee can be lowered a few percentage points. This will save you money on any bail fee that you do end up having to pay. Additionally, a good defense attorney may be able to get your loved one's bail bond lowered, reduced or even get the charges dismissed.

Make Sure That Criminal Charges Were Actually Filed

The first thing you need to do is make sure that criminal charges were actually filed. Criminal charges need to be filed within a set period of time after your loved one has been arrested; the amount of time varies from state to state, but is generally a couple of days. If charges are not filed on time, your loved one could be released from jail without you having to pay any bail bond at all.

Have Your Attorney Contact The Detention Release Officer

If you don't feel like you can wait until the first court hearing, see if your defense attorney can contact the detention release officer on duty. In most counties, there is a detention release officer on duty 24 hours a day that your attorney can get in contact with. The detention release attorney has the authority lower your loved one's bail; contacting them before you post bail for your loved one could save you lots of money.

Wait For The First Court Hearing

If your loved one will not spend too much time behind bars before their first court hearing or arraignment, you may want to wait for their arraignment before you arrange to pay the bail. Often times, during an arraignment, your relative's defense attorney may be able to present an argument to the judge and get them get your relative's bail reduced or the fees lowered. Sometimes, the judge may even decide that your relative may be released on their own recognizance. If that happens, you may be able to avoid paying any fees at all. Contact a bail company, like Alda Pauline's Bail Bonds, for more help.

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