We already know that posting bail in real life looks nothing like what it does in the movies. However, what the movies do get right is that being in jail is scary or severely uncomfortable and stressful. To make the whole thing less stressful and cut on your wait time, you, your family members, or a bail bond agency can post bail to get you released from jail. Yes, you read that right. You can post bail for yourself. Instead of sitting in jail and waiting for weeks or sometimes months for that court date, you can get out quickly and easily. However, there are some stipulations.
The Bail Bond Process
In general terms, no matter who’s bailing you out of jail, the process is the same. You can pay yourself or ask a family member to step in and do it on your behalf. Alternatively, you can hire a bail bondsman. Either way, the process will look like this:
- You get arrested and booked for a crime. You are now a defendant and will have a bail hearing in court as the defendant.
- While you wait for your arraignment (or the initial appearance in court where the bond amount is set), you’ll be in jail.
- The bail amount depends on the crime in question and the past criminal record. So, you won’t need to pay the same amount for a misdemeanor, as you would for a felony.
- Once the court sets the amount of your bail, you, your family members, or a bail bondsman can pay the necessary amount so you can get out. Remember, the whole amount must be paid.
- You can go home once someone has posted bail. However, you must appear in all court hearings and at all court dates. Otherwise, you might lose not only the bail bond money but also your freedom.
So, you just pay the bail bond yourself, and you’re out, right? Not really.
Posting Bail Money
All bail bonds have to be paid in cash. That means that you can only bail yourself out of jail if you have the amount of money on hand at the time of the arrest. If your set bail is low, and you have a habit of carrying cash around, then you probably could bail yourself out.
However, in cases of high bail (or excessive bail), you probably won’t have enough money to pay the bail in full. That’s when a family member can step in and ensure the bail is paid so you can walk free.
If neither you nor your family members have enough money to pay the bail bond, you can turn to a bail bonds service. In that case, you only have to pay a small percentage of the bail amount, and the bail bonds service will take care of the rest.
Get a Quick Bail Out With A-EZ Out Bail Bonds
If you need a bail bonds agent, look no further than A-EZ Out Bail Bonds. Our dedicated agents are available 24/7 and will get you out of jail quickly and effectively. We cover Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant counties and pride ourselves in our friendly demeanor and our outstanding service. Do you or your loved ones need assistance or answers regarding misdemeanors, traffic tickets, warrants, or felonies? Call us today! We’re always here to help.