Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Consequences to "Jumping Bail"

“Jumping bail” and “skipping bail” are typical terms used for the U.S. felony 18 USC 3146. To be charged with the crime of "skipping bail", an individual must be released from jail on a bail bond and intentionally and purposely fail to return for an appointed courtroom date.

In some circumstances, a defendant may be charged with skipping bail even before a court date is missed. For example, if a person purchases airplane tickets or tickets for other transporation to depart the region soon before his court docket appointment, the court may interpret that purchase as a willful intention to evade legal proceedings.

Legal Consequences
Once a defendant skips bail, a chain of events is set in motion.

1. Any bail money posted is given up.
2. Additional charges are filed that might lead to larger fines or longer jail time.
3. Bail is revoked and an arrest warrant is issued.

Financial Effects
Not only is skipping or jumping bail a legal offense, the defendant may also take on the wrath of the bail bondsman who put up the cash to ensure his release. That person is out money, and wants it repaid. The function of a bail bondsman is essentially to act as a finance officer for people that have been charged with criminal offenses who are attempting to raise income to get out of jail. The defendant, loved ones or friends pay only ten percent of the bail amount (or the legal amount designated by individual state laws) and put up property as collateral to secure the the rest of the total bail amount from the bonding company. That is termed a surety bond.

If the defendant jumps bail, the bondsman may offer a bounty, or a reward, for his capture. A bounty hunter will attempt to track down the defendant and bring him back to jail in exchange for the reward cash. Bounty hunting is legal in only two countries, the United States and the Philippines. The total amount of time a bounty hunter has to deliver the defendant varies from one jurisdiction to another. It may be as short as three days, or as long as one year.

Social Penalties
If the bail jumper is not brought to justice, his household, family and friends may suffer. The bail bonding company might try to make back its losses by attaching the collateral which was put up when the bond was issued. Frequently that security is a house, or a vehicle, and the bail skipper’s family members may be left homeless.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Lack of Jail Space to Affect Bail Bonds

Jail space may affect bail bonds in Coryell CountyPosted On: Saturday, Jul. 23 2011 11:55 PMBy Philip Jankowski
Killeen Daily Herald
When justices of the peace set bail bond amounts for accused criminals, they take into account the nature of the charge, whether the person may be a flight risk and if the person may pose a danger to the community.

In Coryell County, justices of the peace may have to consider another factor — the lack of space at the Coryell County Jail.

Coryell County Judge John E. Firth said the undersized jail "significantly" affects bail bond amounts set by justices of the peace.

READ MORE

Friday, July 22, 2011

"Stephanie Plum" Author Brings Bounty Hunters to the Big Screen

From "Collateral" - a Bail Industry Magazine

Having bounty hunters as her primary characters gives Janet Evanovich a seemingly endless supply of plot twists because the fugitives they’re chasing are never short of head-scratching reasons for failing to appear at court appearances, she said.

“What’s great about writing these books is that there are nearly as many stories as there are people who decide, for whatever reason, not to show up for their court appearances,” Evanovich said.

Read More

Monday, July 18, 2011

What Services does a Bail Bondsmen provide?

Better Bail Bonds | 24/7 Get Bail provides a large number of services for someone who has been arrested. When you need assistance to post bail for your friend, family member or loved one, you can count on a quick response from the professional bail bondmen at Better Bail Bonds to help you get the documents you need, and to post bail to get your friend or loved one released.

When you have to deal with any type of government entity in these kinds of situations, you need the help of a professional bail bond company like Better Bail Bonds. We understand what is required to make bail, what paperwork is required, and what fees will be involved. We can be counted on to do what is needed to make your situation as comfortable as possible.

Families as well as the individual that is behind bars sometimes find it very hard to come up with bail money to get themselves out of jail. That is why bail bond companies are so convenient and provide such a valuable service.

There are many different types of bonds. Better Bail Bonds | 24/7 Get Bail can help you with misdemeanor, felony, non-arrest, quick release, traffic ticket and bad check bonds.  When you do post a bond, do not forget that if the person the bond is for leaves town and does not show up for court you will be responsible for the entire amount of the bond. Better Bail Bonds will assist you with all the ins and outs of the law, and keep you up to date on the status of the bond that you have posted.

Please make sure that you read all of the paperwork you are given before signing. This way you can make sure that you understand all the services Better Bail Bonds is providing, and also that you understand the entire bail bond process. Better Bail Bonds will try to fit your budget, and we are here when you need us the most.


Learn more about Better Bail Bonds | 24/7 Get Bail and how we can help you if a friend or loved one has been arrested.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Graffiti Ads for Baltimore Bail Bondsmen?

July 5, 2011 by Collateral - A Bail Industry Magazine
Posted in: "Bail Buzz"

BALTIMORE, MD – A newspaper article in The Baltimore Sun alleges that some Baltimore bail bondsmen are turning to graffiti as a free and edgy way to advertise. The article notes that some bondsmen’s names and numbers are listed at locations around the city, including on the wall at the on-ramp to Interstate 83. Graffiti is removed by the city and the numbers on the on-ramp were very close to the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center. There may be an investigation into whether the ads are illegal or in violation of any rules. | READ MORE

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Bail Bond Services - We are Here to Help

Having a criminal record can make life a bit more difficult and people seem to treat you differently. Finding a job can be challenging as well when someone has a criminal history. However, people get arrested — whether guilty or innocent, and when that happens, obtaining bail is often a necessity.

Being bailed out of jail gives the defendant the opportunity to discuss their case with a lawyer, and to continue on with their normal, daily life.

If the bail amount is set at an affordable amount, the defendant may want to post the full bail amount with the court so that the funds can be returned at the conclusion of the case. However, in some cases bail is too large of a sum of money for the defendant to post on his own. The defendant or the defendant’s family will want to find a licensed bail bondsman who works with the jail in which they are being held.

When bail is needed, it’s important to find a bondsman that offers bail bonds 24-hours a day, as we offer at 24/7 Get Bail. It could be hours after the arrest before bail has been set. The bail bonds process can be complex and overwhelming to anyone that doesn’t deal with it on a daily basis. This is where the help of an expert bondsman will come in handy.

Once someone is arrested, they will be taken to either the police station or jail where they will go through the booking process. This process includes fingerprinting, photographs, and a background check and warrant search. If the charge is “bailable”, the amount of bail will be set and a court date will be given.

Once the bail amount is set, the defendant will be able to post bail. More often than not, bail is set higher than can be readily afforded by the defendant. If the bail isn’t paid, the defendant will wait in jail for the duration of the court case. Most people have lives that require them to be out of jail and this is when a bondsman is needed.

To get started with the process of hiring a bail bondsman, follow these steps:

The defendant, a friend, or loved one will contact the bail bondsman. At 24/7 Get Bail, we are available 24 hours a day to assist you. Explain your situation, your charges and your bail amount. One of our bail bond agents will assess the situation and decide the best way to assist you. Documents will be prepared for your signature, an the bail bond fee (called a “premium”) will have to be paid. It is important to know that the bail bond premium will not be returned, regardless of the outcome of the case.

Even after going through the bail process, the defendant still needs to go to all of their court dates and address the charges filed against them.

While being found guilty is always a possibility, it is often advisable to speake to an attorney. This is easier to do when the defendant isn’t sitting in jail.

Using a reliable bail bondsman at 24/7 Get Bail can help give a defendant the time they need to get the help that they need.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Arizona DUI Information for the 4th of July Weekend

Those driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the State Arizona can be charged with a DUI.

People who have a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more are in violation of the law. Anyone less than 21 years of age can be arrested for a DUI if alcohol of any amount is found in their blood alcohol content.  A second way to be arrested is if a law enforcement offers has detection that a driver has impaired abilities that are affecting the way they are driving.

Several other factors affect the penalties facing those arrested for a DUI in Arizona.  Those with a blood alcohol level at or exceeding 0.15% will be listed under the DUI extreme classification. A DUI arrest can be treated as a felony if someone was driving with an individual who was less than 15 years old at the time that they were arrested.  If a person was driving without a license at the time of their arrest (license revoked) or if they had more than one prior DUI arrest, they could also be charged with a felony.

The DMV in Arizona can suspend the license of those arrested for DUI. People will also have their license revoked if they refuse to take a blood or breath test.  On a first offense, an individual will lose their license for one year and will face a two year loss with a second DUI offense. First time offenders for DUI who do not refuse a blood or breath test will receive a 90 day suspension. 

Individuals arrested for DUI may also face criminal charges in court. They can waive their right to a jury of their peers.  If this right is not waived, there will be six jurors that will hear the DUI case in addition to the judge.  DUI convictions carry with them several potential penalties.

First time DUI offenders face fines of $250. Those convicted face ten days in jail, after which time they could receive probation that would not exceed five years.  A sentence may often be reduced but only if people will have an evaluation for a substance abuse problem. If it is deemed necessary, the individual must agree to receive treatment for any problems. If a first time offender has an extreme BAC, they face even harsher penalties, including a $1000 assessment fee for the DUI abatement account, and 30 days of jail time.

Second time offenders will pay $500 in fines not including the surcharge. An additional $1250 for assessment charges may also apply. Jail time can be as long as 90 days, although the sentence could be lessened to 30 days.  In order for this to happen, however, the convicted individual must be evaluated to find out if they have a substance abuse problem. If they do, they will be mandated to enter some type of treatment program.  Second time offenders also face driver's license suspensions lasting one year, after which time an ignition interlock system must be placed on their car. Probation can last as long as five years.

For those DUI offenders that are convicted of a felony rather than a misdemeanor charge, there are even more stringent penalties. Fines can become very high. In addition, those convicted of a felony DUI charge may serve a great deal of time in jail. Sentences could exceed ten years, and a minimum of four months must be served. Probation for a felony DUI charge can last as long as five years. A convicted party’s automobile may be forfeited and become government property. License suspension will be for three years. 

Penalties can be even more severe for those who tested for excessive blood alcohol content. Other factors may also be taken into consideration when deciding on sentencing for someone who has been arrested for a DUI.