Dos and Don'ts of Working with a Bail Bonds Agency
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When you find yourself in jail and accused of a crime, your head may be spinning with details of your defense, consequences of the criminal charges, and the cost of preparing your case. However, the most important thing for most people after being incarcerated is getting out as quickly as possible. That’s where an agency dealing with bail bonds in Lodi, CA, can be of great service. A professional bail bonds agency can help you cover your bail and get released on a short timeline so that you can go about your life while awaiting your court date.
However, there are some definite dos and don’ts you should observe when working with a bail bond agency to ensure you get fair treatment and abide by the letter of the law. Failure to do any of those things can put you in jeopardy financially or legally. Read on to learn more about the dos and don’ts of working with a bail bond agency.
Do Call a Bail Bond Agent First
When you go to jail, you’re allowed a single phone call to communicate your status to parties outside of the jails walls who can help you. While many people elect to call friends or loved ones to ask for assistance, your best chance of getting freed quickly is by contacting a bail bond agency with your only call. After all, a friend or family member will likely be calling a bail bondsman to help secure your release anyway, so why not speed the process by cutting out the middleman?
Do Conduct Research
In a perfect world, all bail bond agencies would treat their customers fairly and equally. However, that’s not the case, and the attention and quality of service you receive from different bail bond agencies can vary. Therefore, you should take a moment to do a little research before using your call to secure bail. While your tools for research may be limited, gather any information you can to help you make a wise choice. When you do talk to a bail bond agent, ask for a license number. That will indicate that the agent is a professional and is properly accredited.
Do Stay Out of Trouble
If you’ve been arrested once and made bail, you absolutely must stay out of trouble until your case is heard. Failure to do so can result in your bail being revoked. The best course of action when awaiting your court date is to avoid situations that could put you in jeopardy of further legal complications. Stay away from bars and clubs. In fact, avoid being out late at night, and don’t associate with friends and family members who may engage in less-than-legal activities. You don’t want to risk being labeled guilty by association. Lay low and wait on your legal troubles to dissipate.
Don’t Sign an Agreement You Don’t Understand
When you’ve been arrested, you’re likely to be stressed and willing to sign anything to get out of jail. However, before signing a bail agreement, make sure that you understand what’s expected of you financially. Some repayment plans can be loaded with contingencies that can drive the cost higher. Don’t agree to terms that you know you’ll be unable to meet. If you’re unclear about any of the terms in the agreement, ask for clarification.
Don’t Mock the Court
If you’re out on bail, it’s incumbent upon you to appear in court each time you are ordered to do so before your case is heard. If the judge sets a hearing date and time, do everything in your power to make sure that you aren’t only present, but early. Aggravating the judge though inappropriate conduct or failure to appear at the designated time is considered a mockery of the court, and that can result in revocation of your bond.
If you’ve been arrested, your first call should be to a licensed, experienced professional bail bond agent. Make sure that you abide by the terms mentioned above to steer clear of further legal troubles and ensure that you remain free until your trial is heard. For more information on the dos and don’ts of working with bail bond agencies, please contact BailSmart Bail Bonds at (866) 377-6080.
