Step by Step: The Bail Process

STEP BY STEP: THE BAIL PROCESS STEP 1 BAIL IS SET A judge gets to decide the amount of bail after an arrest The amount is determined by: • Severity of crime Previous criminal record • Ties to the community Whether the defendant poses a threat STEP 2 ENLIST HELP You may need a friend or family member to contact a bondsman for you Your liaison may need to cosign agreeing that you will appear in court STEP 3 OBTAIN COLLATERAL If you don't have cash for bail, you may need another item of value to secure your bond A car, a house, or a piece of property you own could function as collateral STEP 4 APPEAR IN COURT Once your court date is set, you must appear under penalty of law If you do not appear, you could lose your collateral and be tracked down This is often known as “skipping bail" STEP 5 WORK WITH YOUR BONDSMAN Sometimes, you may not be able to make your court date Your bondsman may be able to help if this is the case STEP 6 RECEIVE YOUR VERDICT Regardless of your verdict, you should receive your collateral back after trial Any payment you owe to the bondsman wilI be collected Provided by: DOMINION BAIL BONDS Licensed Bondsman Est. 2009 WWW.DOMINIONBAILBONDING.COM Sources: http://money.howstuffworks.com/baill.htm http://enlightenme.com/top-10-bail-bond-process/ http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/ bail-getting-out-of-jail-30225.html %24