Not only is getting arrested embarrassing, but it’s also stressful. There’s little that will make you worry about your immediate future more than being locked up. Not only are you worried about the possible sentence connected to the charges and how you’re loved ones will respond to the arrest, but you also have to wonder how you’ll keep your job and if you’ll be able to pay your bills if your employer uses the arrest as an excuse to fire you.
Getting out of jail as quickly as possible is the best way to alleviate most of these stressful thoughts. Once you’re released you can do things that include:
- Showing up for work on time
- Directly explaining the situation to your loved ones
- Meeting with your lawyer to discuss the charges and the best way to handle them
- Pay bills
- Sleep in your own bed
The first thing you need to understand is that it simply isn’t possible to post a bail bond before the bail is set. The good news is that even if you need to cool your heels a little while before bail is set, there are some things you can do in advance to get the ball rolling so that you’re free immediately after bail is set.
Use the waiting time to research bail bond agencies and learn a little bit about how the California bail bonds program works. You’ll want to avoid agencies that:
- Refuse to speak to you until you pay the money
- Don’t offer free consultations
- Charge more than a 10% fee
- Aren’t properly licensed and insured
- Can’t provide you with recommendations from previous clients
Free Consultation Bail Bonds
Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a few likely bail bond agencies, it’s time to take advantage of their free consultations. During this time you’ll learn how quickly they think they can post your bail bond, what conditions they attach to the bail bond if they offer any special bail bond discounts, and if they have payment plans.
Don’t be surprised if after hearing the details of your case, the bail bonds agent you’re speaking to is able to guess how much bail you’ll require. They have a lot of experience. The great thing about working with a company that has this much knowledge is that you can use the estimate to determine how much the fee is (10% of the requested bail) and how you can manage it. Don’t be afraid to ask if the bail bond agency provides zero-interest flexible payment plans.
The best way to expedite the getting out of jail on a bail bond process is to have all the paperwork filled out and the fee ready to go prior to your bail hearing. That way, we can be standing by, already set and ready to write the bail bond as soon as the judge announces how much bail you need.