| You've just learned that a loved one as been arrested | | | | restrictions on defendant visitation rights because the |
| and booked into the nearby county jail. Now it's time to | | | | flu was everywhere. Besides sickness, most jails keep |
| decide whether to bail them out or let them stay in jail | | | | the temperature cold around 60 degrees to ward off |
| until the arraignment date. You might find some | | | | any disease spreading by humidity or hot, muggy |
| compelling reasons for not bailing them out at this time | | | | conditions. I remember waiting to give a defendant a |
| (You can't afford bail), but these three reasons | | | | ride home after posting his bail bond. I figured if he paid |
| strengthen the case for using a bail bondsman to bail | | | | me $4000 to bail out, I should give him a free ride |
| them out ASAP. | | | | home because he was stranded (this is unheard of in |
| Reason #1 - So they won't lose their job. | | | | the bail bond industry). As he was released into the |
| Most defendants need to get back to their occupation | | | | lobby, he started jumping up and down like he was |
| the next day. Paying a bail bondsman and/or retaining | | | | cheering at a football game. Just as I thought I was |
| a criminal defense attorney can take a huge chunk out | | | | going to regret giving him a ride home, he recognized |
| of the family treasure chest. Not to mention the arrest | | | | me and said "I'm so glad your here. Don't worry I'm not |
| and booking process which lasts on average 10 hours | | | | crazy, I'm just so happy to be out of jail. The |
| or more. It's important not to miss a day of work and | | | | temperature was down to 50 degrees and the sheriff |
| to continue to financially support the family. Also, they | | | | took both my shirt and pants. I'm freezing!" |
| shouldn't discuss their weekend vacation in county jail | | | | Reason #3 - To protect them from more dangerous |
| around the lunch water cooler. In most instances, they | | | | criminals and prisoners. |
| won't need to disclose the arrest to their employer until | | | | Being a career criminal is a full-time job for scores of |
| after they've been convicted and/or plead to a lesser | | | | people in the community. Many should never use a bail |
| crime. This could take several months for the | | | | bondsman be bailed out even if they have the money |
| attorneys on both sides to hammer out the best deal. | | | | and/or collateral. They commit violent crimes and are a |
| During this time, they need to be gainfully employed. | | | | danger to society both in and out of jail. Most have |
| Reason #2 - Because jails are the dirtiest places on | | | | been arrested several times and can't afford to bail |
| earth. | | | | out of jail. They especially aren't happy while sobering |
| Historically, the bail bondsman will use this trick as | | | | up behind bars coming down from their latest high. If it's |
| leverage to scare you into bailing out your friend or | | | | your first time being arrested and booked as a |
| family member. However, with the recent swine flu | | | | defendant, these are not the friends to want to meet |
| epidemic this wasn't a scheme. I remember many | | | | in a cold dark jail cell. |