Being arrested can sometimes cause people to reach out to anyone that they think will help to get them out of jail. While you might know this person fairly well, you may also not know enough about them to be sure if arranging for their bail is the right thing to do. After all, bailing someone out of jail comes with some serious responsibilities. Now that they've reached out, you can ask yourself these four questions to decide if helping them get a bail bond will benefit their situation.
Are They In Danger?
Even small local jails can be filled with danger. During their time in jail, your acquaintance could be exposed to potential diseases such as the coronavirus. If they are placed in a cell with a violent offender, then they could also be physically harmed. Consider the reputation of the facility where your acquaintance is being held. You'll also want to think about if they have preexisting health issues that might make them vulnerable to getting sick in jail. If so, then bailing them out may be what you need to do to protect their health.
What Are Their Charges?
Breaking the law is not good, but there are some charges that might seem more forgivable than others. For instance, your friend might have unpaid traffic tickets from years back that led to their arrest. In this case, you might think about how jail could be more damaging to their current situation if they can't go to work. Bailing someone out who made a bad mistake or finally had an incident from years back catch up to them often makes sense. Even with major charges, a bailout may be important for helping them work with a lawyer to develop their defense.
Do They Have Major Responsibilities?
Your acquaintance might have reached out to you because they know that they must get back to their normal life. Someone who has children or an essential career is likely to comply with the conditions of their release. Licensed bail bonds are designed to help people get back to managing their responsibilities while they wait for their court date.
Are They Likely to Show Up in Court?
The purpose of bail is to serve as collateral that the person who is released from jail will return for their hearing in court. When you arrange for someone else's bail, you also take on the responsibility of making sure that they go to their hearing. Take a look at your acquaintance's personal history. Do they tend to show up to places on time? Have the always kept their word? Do they have a reason to follow the law from now on? If so, then you can consider them a low risk for bail jumping and can feel confident about helping them out.
Contact a bail bonds provider for more information.