3 Things To Do When A Loved One Is Arrested And Jailed
No one wants to get a collect call from a loved one only to learn that he or she has been arrested and is in jail. Learning that a loved one is in jail can be very stressful, but it is essential to do several things in order to have the person released from custody while not causing problems with the case. Take the following steps after learning that someone you love is in jail:
Keep the Phone Call Short
It is normal to want to learn as much information as possible when you hear that a loved one has been arrested and is in jail, but for the sake of the person charged, keep the call short. In most jails phone conversations are recorded, so if you ask a lot of questions and keep your loved one talking about what happened, there is a chance that he or she can incriminate his or her self of tape. When you get a call from someone in jail, ask what the charges are and where he or she is being held-- you can learn all of the details after he or she is released.
Get a Lawyer
If a person is held in jail for a charge, there is a good chance that he or she will face undesirable penalties when the case goes to court. In order to get the best outcome possible, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer as soon as you learn that someone you love has been arrested. The lawyer you hire will be allowed to speak with your loved one, and will also be able to clearly explain to you the process of getting him or her released from jail. In most cases, the sooner you hire a lawyer the better; hiring a lawyer as soon as possible will give him or her ample time to prepare the case before the scheduled court date.
Post Bond
After being arrested and booked into jail, your loved one will have a court hearing with a judge to determine the bond amount that is required for release from jail. The bond required typically depends on the severity of the charges. In a lot of cases, the amount of money that has to be posted to get a person released is more than one has available. If you are in this situation, you can get a bail bond. A bail bond company, like All Star Bail Bonds, will require you to put up a percentage of the required bond (in many cases this is non-refundable) and they will pay the rest. You must ensure that your loved one makes it to all required court appearances if you don't want to be on the hook for paying off the full amount of the bond.