Michelle Garrett
Being arrested and charged with a crime is a highly stressful and dangerous experience for a person to go through. The consequences of a conviction can be life changing, which means it is critical for individuals to have the best chance of preparing an effective defense. Yet, this can be difficult to do from inside a jail cell. Fortunately, bail is an option for most individuals that have been arrested, but you might believe the following couple of notions about bail.
Myth: You Must Have The Full Amount Of Bail In Cash
A person's bail is often set at an extremely high amount of money. This is to help make sure the defendant is at their trial by having them forfeit this money if they fail to appear. Unfortunately, there are many people that will not have enough money to pay this substantial amount.
When this is the case, individuals can use the services of a bail bondsman. These professionals help individuals raise bail money by essentially paying most of the bail in exchange for a deposit and a fee. By using these services, you will be able to post bail without having to pay for the full amount in cash. As long as the defendant is in court on the required day, the deposit may be refunded and the bondsman will only keep their fee.
Myth: There Is No Way To Lower The Amount Of Bail
In order to use a bail bondsman, you must be able to pay for at least a portion of the bail. These professionals will require a deposit that is often calculated as a percentage of the total bail. Sadly, the bail may be set high enough to make this percentage unaffordable to you.
It is understandable for people to be discouraged by this dilemma, but it should be noted that there are steps that may be able to be used to lower the amount of bail being demanded by the courts. To do this, your attorney will have to appear before the judge and make an effective argument that you are not at risk of fleeing. When this is effective, the judge may lower the required bail amount to something that is more affordable for you and your family.
A bail bondsman is one service that you likely hope to never need, but they can be invaluable when you are being held in a jail. Realizing that the entire amount of bail does not have to be paid and that there are steps that can lower the amount of bail being required will help you to be better informed during these highly stressful ordeals.Contact a local bond company, like A Bail Now Bail Bonds, Inc., for more information.
I'll be up front: I have a criminal record. As someone who's spent lots--and lots--of time looking for a job in my life, I've gotten used to being up front with this fact. It's difficult to get hired with this on my record, and frankly, it never gets less scary to have to tell an interviewer about it. But that doesn't mean I'm unemployable. I'm a hard worker who can bring a lot to any company. And I also know what an employer needs to do for me. I know my rights. There's no federal law protecting me from discrimination due to my record, but there are plenty of state laws that make it a little easier for me. If you're looking for a job and you have a criminal record, read through this information. Protect yourself during a job search. Know your rights.