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How Long Does The Bail Process Take?

Adams county bail bondsTo get released on bail as quickly as possible, this is where the convenience and speed of Adams County bail bonds comes in. At Liberty Bail Bonds, we know how to get your loved one released from jail quickly. If you have a friend or family member who has been arrested, contact us to learn just how quickly we can secure their release.

When someone is arrested, they will be booked into the county jail. This can take some time, as it includes the processes of fingerprinting, searching the national crime database, and more. Once processed, the first hearing can sometimes occur on the same day of the arrest, or the next day. Bail is set for most defendants, but if they’ve committed a serious or violent offense, or pose a flight risk, bail may be denied.

For those who have the funds to pay their full bail amount, they will only be in jail for as long as it takes to access the money (usually with the help of a friend or family member). However, as many people do not have the large amounts of money available to pay their bail in full, working with a bail bondsman in Pennsylvania is a good option. Bail bondsmen only charge a small percentage of the full bail amount as a fee to obtain the defendant’s release, and will help you with arranging bail as soon as possible.

What is an Arraignment?

Lackawanna county bail bonds

Not everyone is familiar with all the legal jargon related to the criminal justice system. We understand that it can be challenging to understand all that is involved with the arrest, booking, release, and trial process. At Liberty Bail Bonds, we have the knowledge necessary to assist you through the system as you obtain Lackawanna County bail bonds. Today, we’ll discuss arraignments and how they relate to the bail process.

 

After a suspect has been arrested and booked into jail, their first hearing is known as the arraignment. This takes place in the presence of a magistrate or judge, and typically occurs within 48-72 hours following the arrest. The purpose of an arraignment is:

  • Formally inform the defendant of their charges
  • Allow the defendant to apply for court-appointed defense
  • Allow the defendant to enter their plea
  • Set arrangements for later court dates

At the arraignment, the defendant will be provided with the written accusation of the charges they are facing, and they are able to apply for a lawyer. If a person posted a bail bond and was released after their arrest, the date of the arraignment is usually delayed for a couple of weeks.

Reasons to Work with a Pennsylvania Bond Company

Pensylvania bail bond companyThe U.S. justice system revolves around a fundamental principle: when a defendant is charged with a crime, they are innocent until proven guilty. For this reason, a defendant is often granted the opportunity to post bail as they wait to appear in court. If you ever find yourself in jail, here are some reasons you should work with a Pennsylvania bail bond company:

Avoid Jails
Jails are overcrowded and often dangerous, and remaining in jail longer than necessary can put you at risk. Working with a Pennsylvania bail bond company will help you get out return to the safety of your home.

Access to a Lawyer
Typically, a public defender will be appointed to represent a defendant that is unable to afford a lawyer.  However, if you post cash bail, the court may assume you have access to funds (and then refuse to appoint you a lawyer).

Confidentiality
Posting cash bail on your own behalf may become public information. An arrest is embarrassing, and can alter your stance with your employer. With a bail bond agent, everything can be handled discretely.

Save Money
Giving the court cash for bail increases the chance that it will be used for fines and court costs. In some cases, these can be higher than if a surety bond was used.

Being Released on Your Own Recognizance, or “OR”

Lackawanna county bail bondsAfter an arrest, the suspect’s immediate concern is simply getting out of jail; and sometimes, the suspect will be released on his or her own recognizance. Someone released on his or her own recognizance is permitted to leave jail with the promise that they will show up later on their court date, without having to post bail. This is similar to how a person signs a document promising to appear in court for a traffic violation, but is otherwise free to go.

There are certain groups of defendants that may be more eligible for an OR than others. For example, a non-violent offender will typically be granted an OR before a violent offender. Additionally, if the court decides that a defendant cannot afford bond, they will sometimes grant them an OR so they can get out of jail. The terms of release can also include a certain degree of supervision from the court, such as periodic reporting to an officer or restricted travel.

However, if a defendant fails to appear at any of their court proceedings, or does not follow through with their promises to the court, they will be subject to immediate arrest. This means they will no longer be able to post bail.

Our bail bond staff is experienced and well-versed in the judicial system. Let us help you understand the process of Lackawanna county bail bonds and more at 1.888.990.3993.

Felony Charges and Your Bail Options

local bail bondsmanWhen someone is arrested for a crime, especially a felony, one of their first questions to law enforcement is usually regarding their bail options. No one wants to stay in jail any longer than they have to, which is why prompt and efficient bail services are essential.

A felony is a crime that can be punishable by at least one year and one day of imprisonment. It can be categorized as a violent or non-violent offense. Typically, violent crimes will not be permitted bail at all, while non-violent felony crimes might. If your crime did not involve a person getting hurt (or a large amount of illegal drugs), bail will likely be permitted. Keep in mind that your existing criminal record and community reputation will also be considered, in addition to other factors.

When you’re arrested for a felony, you will be transported to a local police station for booking and processing. This will consist of fingerprinting, photos, etc. After these processes (which can vary in time depending on how busy the station staff is) is when you’ll find if you’re eligible for bail release.

For more information about bail and conditions for felony arrests, contact a local bail bondsman for the most up-to-date and specific industry answers.

What You Need to Know About Arrest Warrants

York County bail bondThe idea of going to jail makes for a highly emotional and stressful situation. If there is a warrant out for your arrest and you’re turning yourself in to law enforcement, it is vital for you to be prepared by learning all the facts surrounding arrest warrants, jail, and bail bonds. Doing this and facing your legal matters quickly is important in order to avoid additional penalties.

An arrest warrant is simply a legal order. If you are suspected of a crime, a judge will order an arrest warrant which instructs law enforcement to arrest you and take you into custody. Police have the ability to do this by knocking at your front door or even detaining you at your place of employment, so it’s crucial to take action on your own as soon as you learn of the order.

Typically, when you surrender yourself to law enforcement for a warrant, you must remain in county jail until you are processed into the system. Once this is done, you are free to post bond. You should contact a bail bondsman in your county to prearrange your release from jail. In minor cases, a bail bondsman can obtain a release for a person who turned themselves in within just a few hours.

When there’s a warrant out for your arrest, it’s important to act fast. Call Liberty Bail Bonds at 1.888.990.3993 for Pennsylvania and York County bail bond services you can trust.

The Advantages of Working with a Local Bond Company When Arrested

Beaver County bail bondsmanWhen you’re arrested, you’ve got a lot of worries and concerns fighting for space in your head — your eventual bond isn’t likely to be the first thing you think about. You might not even think you can afford to post bond regardless, so you buckle down to wait for your trial in jail. On the contrary, with the right bond company, you can afford to get out so you can continue working and get your affairs in order. When choosing a bail bond company, it’s best to choose a local one.

Faster Service
When arrested in Beaver County, a Beaver County bail bondsman will prove the fastest to respond. At Liberty Bail Bonds, we have bondsmen ready to assist in most counties in Pennsylvania. Because we’re so close by, we can get to the jail quickly to get you back to your everyday life to prepare for your court date.

More Personable Service
When you work with local bondsmen, you get face-to-face assistance to help guide you through the process. Both you and your loved ones can request the bond. If you have any questions, we’ll be happy to answer them and look over the individual circumstances to give you the most applicable answers.

More Affordable Service
When not dealing with a national “chain” of bond companies located throughout the entire country, you won’t have to pay “chain” prices. Your local fees won’t reflect the costs necessary to operate the business outside of your area, so it’ll prove affordable regardless of your budget.

At Liberty Bail Bonds, we offer free bond consultations and have extensive operating hours seven days a week, so you have no reason to hesitate when it comes to making that call. Regardless of the severity of the crime, our experienced bondsmen can help. Call as soon as possible after an arrest.

The Easiest Way to a Second Chance After Arrest

Washington County bail bondsGetting arrested doesn’t have to mean the end to your daily routine and the life you’ve established. Many people look at it as the opportunity to start fresh; a new beginning. Whether or not you plead guilty to the charges, you can still work toward clearing your name of the shroud of this incident and living a more productive life in the future. It all starts with your second chance.

Post Bail
Contact Liberty Bail Bonds for Washington County bail bonds and bonds in Pennsylvania, because the best chance you have at a new beginning is to get out on bail as soon as possible and make the most of your time away from jail. Even if you don’t think you can afford bail, you can with our services.

Meet Your Court Dates
Show responsibility by meeting all of your court dates; this could prove essential to winning your case or reducing your sentence. It’s also necessary to keep the amount you owe the bail company to a nominal fee. If you don’t make a court date, your bond money is forfeited and you’ll have to pay the entire amount back.

Focus on Arranging Affairs
Continue to practice your daily routine as much as possible during your time out on bail. Work, pay bills, and save money to provide for those you might leave behind for a time after your trial. Decide how you want your affairs managed if you do go back to jail. This productive focus will prove an essential distraction during this stressful period.

Liberty Bail Bonds is proud to provide the opportunity for a second chance to countless arrested people – both those arrested for misdemeanors and those arrested for felonies. Your time out on bail is a chance to put your affairs in order, pay down debts, and save for your loved ones, regardless of the outcome of your case. Call us today; we’re open seven days a week.

Things to Remember While Out on Bail

Armstrong county bail bondsYou messed up. Or you simply were at the wrong place at the wrong time. You’re in jail and the only way you’re getting out is by posting bail — with funds you simply don’t have. Fortunately, you can get the bond money you need regardless of how high the amount is at a price you can afford. Once you’re out, though, keep a few things in mind to keep your total costs low and reduce the likelihood of stricter penalties from the legal system.

Meet All of Your Court Dates
As one of the foremost Armstrong county bail bonds providers and one of the most reliable bond providers in much of Pennsylvania, we tell our clients one thing above all else: follow directions and meet all of your court dates. Don’t even be a minute late. Plan ahead and get there even if you have to leave several hours early and pay a little extra for a ride instead of the bus. If you meet all of your dates, you’ll owe a lot less because the legal system will refund your bond.

Earn as Much as You Can
If you wind up sentenced to jail, you won’t have much opportunity to earn income to save for your future and provide for your loved ones. You may even lose your job and struggle to find a new one upon your release. Make the most of your time out of jail. Ask for extra hours and pick up side jobs so long as they meet the standards your attorney recommends.

Keep Your Nose Clean
You don’t want anything to do with any potentially illegal situations while awaiting trial. Stop hanging out with anyone still engaging in illegal activity, stay busy, and stay away from drugs (even seemingly harmless ones such as marijuana).

At Liberty Bail Bonds, we want you to succeed with this second chance that has been given to you through the opportunity to post bail and await trial from the comfort of your own home. Even if you don’t think you can afford bail, you can with the help of our fast-acting local bondsmen. Call us as soon as possible after your arrest.

Are There Any Advantages to Letting a Loved One Stay in Jail Pre-Trial?

Adams county bail bondsIt’s not exactly a call you look forward to getting: a friend or family member is in jail and he needs your help to post bail. Part of you might feel like your loved one should do his time — especially since you don’t easily have access to the necessary cash anyway. However, there really are no advantages to letting someone you care about stay in jail before his trial, and you absolutely can get the cash you need for bail if you know who to call.

Getting the Money Fast
Liberty Bail Bonds offers Adams County bail bonds to those who need them quickly. Our fees are affordable and very competitive. So long as the person out on bail meets all of their court dates, the legal system refunds the bond and you’re out only a small fee. So long as you trust your loved one not to run, then you won’t have to ever worry about raising all of the necessary money.

Providing a Second Chance
A person who awaits trial in jail does nothing productive. A person out on bail can continue attending work or school and potentially earning money to pay you back for your contribution toward the bail. Even if he eventually winds up sentenced to jail, this opportunity will allow his family and anyone depending on him to better prepare for his absence.

An Opportunity to Heal
It’s hard to forgive someone who’s not actively seeking your forgiveness, but if your loved one is stuck in jail, she won’t have the opportunity to reach out to you to heal the rift between you. Get your friend or family member out on bail and use that chance to spend quality time together to better understand how things went wrong.

Ask a Liberty Bail Bonds representative about securing bail for your friend or family member today. We’re available for extended hours every day of the week, and the sooner you contact us, the faster we can act to secure the arrested person’s release. Our local bail agents work quickly to ensure the smoothest experience possible.