How to Get Out of Jail

When someone is first arrested, the first thing they think of is how they can get out of jail. The person arrested is able to post bail and get out of the slammer. In return for them to not be incarcerated any longer, they must promise to appear for all their court dates. If the person fails to show up for their scheduled court dates, bail is then revoked and a warrant is issued for the person's arrest.

Bail is set by the court judge. Many jails today have specific bail amounts for certain crimes. Someone who was arrested can theoretically get out of the jail within a few hours. If the defendant agrees to post bail but cannot afford the bail amount, the defendant may ask a judge to lower the bail amount. Whether or not their bail is lowered, depends on the court judge. The judge will also set certain bail conditions. The defendant must adhere to all bail conditions. If a defendant violates any part of their bail conditions, a judge could revoke their bail and order the person to be remanded back to the house of corrections. Most bail conditions reflect the crime that the person was arrested for. For instance, if the defendant was arrested for domestic violence, a condition of their bail may be not to have any contact with the other party if they want to get out of jail.

Paying your bail can be done in several different ways. Bail can be paid with cash or check for the entire amount of their bail. Sometimes property is put up to pay the amount of the bail. Some people may choose to bond out, which is basically a guaranteed payment of the total of the bail. A person can also be bailed out if the judge dismisses the payment as long as the suspect appears to all of their court dates. This is sometimes known as a defendant being released on their own recognizance.

A bond is usually paid by a bondsman. Bondsmen normally require 10% of the value of the bail. For example, if the judge sets bail at $5000, the suspect can expect to pay around $500 to the bondsman in order to be bonded out. As long as they appear to all of their court dates, they normally get the entire amount of the bail given back to them minus some minute fees such as administrative fees.

Being able to get out of jail on your own recognizance basically means that you do not have to post bail but you do have to sign paperwork stating you will appear for all your court dates. The judge normally grants that a person be released on their own recognizance if they are not a flight risk, if they have a job, if they have no past criminal problems, if they have family members that live in the area or if the person has lived in the area for many years. Being released on your own recognizance is usually the best way to avoid being incarcerated.