Understanding Your Bail Options After a Domestic Incident
Posted on: 23 June 2021
Law enforcement takes domestic violence arrests pretty seriously. What might have merited a visit and a stern talking to in the past often now ends up with someone being arrested and charged. If you have been accused of domestic violence, you might be jailed for an uncertain period of time. Read on to understand what your options might be after this sort of arrest.
It's All About Relationships
You can only be charged with domestic violence if you have a relationship with the alleged victim. That might include:
- Spouses present and former
- Other family members like siblings or adult children.
- Domestic partnerships that include girlfriend/boyfriend relationships.
- Former romantic partners.
You don't necessarily have to live with someone for it to be domestic violence in many states. Even ended relationships qualify for this special type of crime.
What to Know After the Arrest
Once you are jailed, you may have the opportunity to be bailed out—but not always. The judge has discretion over bail and it could be denied if the defendant has past arrests for the same thing, is considered a flight risk or the injuries are very serious. If you are offered bail, that is your opportunity to get out of jail. Bail can expensive, though. Many cannot afford to pay the full amount of the bail charged by the court. With freedom on the line, defendants who are unable to come up with the full bail payment may have an attractive alternative to consider: bail bonding.
What Is Bail Bonding?
You might be told that your bail is set at $5,000. That is a huge sum of money for almost everyone. However, with a bail bonding agency, you might end up getting out of jail for a small percentage of that sum. Here is how it works:
- If the bail is $5,000 and the bail bonding agency charges a 10% premium, you can get bailed out of jail for only $500—that is 10% of $5,000. The percentage charged varies and is usually set by the state. Here is what else to know about using a bail bonding agency:
- When dealing with domestic violence issues, you can expect to be told to stay away from the alleged victim. Even if that means finding another place to stay, you must abide by that condition or you could be arrested once your bail is revoked for not following the conditions.
- Phone a bail bonding agency near the courthouse or jail for the fastest service. They are also more likely to be familiar with jail and court practices than agencies from far away.
To find out more about getting bailed out of jail, speak to a bail bonds service right away.
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