When a person is caught committing a crime, the police will typically arrest the person and transport them to the local jail. That person must remain in police custody until the court trial is over or until they pay bail. If you are arrested and have no one to turn to for help, you might need to find a way to bail yourself out of jail. Here are the options you have in this situation.
1. Use Your Credit Card
You probably do not have enough cash with you to use for the bail, but if you do, you can use your cash. If not, do you have a credit card that you could use? Jails accept credit card payments for bail, but you must make sure you have enough credit limit on your card. If you do not, the credit card company might decline your charge. As a result, you might remain in jail.
2. Use Collateral
The second option to consider is using collateral. If you do not have any money or credit cards to use, you might be able to use some assets you own to pay the bail. If you use this method, you will need to contact a bail bond agent. A bail bond agent will accept the items and apply them to the fees they charge for pre-trial releases.
Before using this method, there are several things you should know. First, your collateral might need to be equal to your total bail. Bail bond agents normally charge 10% fees to bail people out. Bail bond agents typically accept cash for this fee. If you want to use collateral instead of cash, you must ask the agent how much collateral you need. Figure out if you need enough to cover the 10% fee or the full bail amount, then send someone to the agency with your collateral.
3. Ask the Court to Release You Without Bail
Using cash, credit, or collateral are the options most people use to get out of jail. There is another option that you could pursue: you can petition the court for a pre-trial release without any collateral or bail. Courts call this being released on your own recognizance. Courts rarely approve it, but it would not hurt to ask.
If you have questions about criminal charges, bail rates, or bail options, consider contacting a local 24/7 bail bond agent today.
