Reducing Jail Time with Bail Bonds in St. Petersburg, FL
Are you facing jail time in the Pinellas County jail? Perhaps a loved one has been arrested? Whatever the case, it’s a stressful situation with no clear-cut solutions. The good news is that jail time can be reduced when you work with a bond agency to get a bail bond posted in St. Petersburg, FL. Here are some things you need to know about the bail bond process and choosing a bond agency.
Understanding Bail and the Bail Bond Process
An arrest is just the first step in a long process. Anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days after being arrested, an arrestee will go through the arraignment process. During this time, a judge will consider the crime, its severity, and other factors to determine the total bail amount. Once this has been set, the arrestee can post bail and be released from jail.
The challenge, of course, is that many people can’t afford to post their total bail amount. That’s because it can cost tens of thousands of dollars – something that most people don’t have readily available to them. Being unable to pay the total bail amount means staying in jail until the trial date. Working with a company that specializes in bail bonds in St. Petersburg, Florida, however, can get someone released much faster.
How Bail Bonds in St. Petersburg Work
When searching for bail bonds in St. Petersburg, FL, the first thing you’ll need to do is choose the right bail bonding service. Not all agencies are the same, and you’ll need to make sure that the one you choose offers the right mix of compassion and service.
First, check out the bond agency and its offerings. Do they specialize in offering bail bonds in St. Petersburg, FL? How easy is it to get in touch with a bail bondsman? Ideally, the agency will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Next, consider the reputation of the bail bondsmen. What do previous defendants they have helped bond out of jail have to say about the process? What about their ability to answer questions and provide guidance through the legal process?
Here’s what happens after you choose a bail bonding service.Once you’ve contacted the bail bond agency, you’ll be required to provide some basic information. This includes the name of the person in jail, the facility/jail where they are, the crime(s) they’re accused of, and the total bail amount. You cannot start this process until after your total bail amount has been set, which may be a couple of days after the arrest, depending on whether the person was arrested over a weekend or on a holiday.
With the information required, the bail bond company can then start the process of issuing a bond to the court. St. Petersburg, FL, bonding agencies will require you to pay the 10% fee upfront. They will then send a bonds agent to the jail to secure the release of the incarcerated individual.
Once released, the accused will be free until their court date(s). It’s critical that they appear in court. Failure to do so voids the bond and will result in them going back to jail.
Bail bonds in St. Petersburg, FL, offer hope and help by getting you or your loved one out of jail quickly. Start your search for a bail bond agent with our easy-to-use online directory. Our directory will help you find a reputable bail bond agency in St. Petersburg, FL.