If you’re lucky enough to be awarded bail and have the means to pay it, you’ll want to make sure you do everything right because if you don’t, you could be sent to jail until your trial. This is the intention of bail―to ensure that you’ll show up for trial and abide by the rules in the meantime. You’ll need to have your attorney explain your responsibilities and your bail requirements but here are some general things you shouldn’t do if you want to stay out of jail:
Not show up for court. If you don’t show up for your scheduled hearings, you’ll be charged with Failure to Appear and a bench warrant will likely be issued for your arrest. If you are stopped or arrested, you will be going to jail and a judge will think twice about letting you out on bail again. You also may have your driver’s license revoked, depending on the laws in the state where you reside. If you aren’t located easily, your bail bondsman might send a bail bond recovery agent to find you and bring you in.
Be late for your court dates. They won’t wait for you and you’ll be considered a no-show.
Lie on your paperwork. Be truthful about the information you give. The courts are thorough and if you lie about your name and your ability to pay for your own lawyer or you give the wrong address, your bail can be revoked and you’ll have to sit in jail until your trial.
Argue with your bond cosigner (also known as your Indemnitor). This happens more often than you’d think. The defendant causes a problem with the friend or family member that helped pay for the bail. If the Indemnitor changes his or her mind about helping you, guess where you’ll end up?
Disobey your bail bondsman. You hired your bail bondsman to do a job. If you don’t cooperate, they may refuse to work with you. (Even if you don’t like the way they operate, by all means, find a bail bondsman you can more easily work with, but if the bondsman drops you, you’ve made things more difficult for yourself.
Ignore the conditions of your bail. If the judge orders you into rehab as part of your conditions of bail, go. If you are ordered to stay in your city or state, stay. Make sure that you have a clear understanding of your obligations in regards to bail conditions. Not adhering to them could mean revocation.
Associate with criminals. Usually, this is a condition of bail but even if it’s not, it’s always a good idea to stay away from people who break the law.
Drink alcohol or do drugs. Staying clean and sober will help you stay out of trouble and stay out of jail.
Be dishonest with your attorney. Your lawyer is there to help you. Your honesty will allow your attorney to provide you with the best defense possible.
Break the law. This should not need to be said. If you’re arrested again, odds are, you’re not getting out anytime soon.
Dress shabbily for court. Dress neatly, as if you’re going on a job interview.
Being released on bail is an opportunity. It’s a time of reflection, a time to get your life back on track make decisions that are going to have positive results on your future. If you’ve been arrested, Mercy Bail Bonds can help. Call us at (727) 856-7775 and talk with one of our dedicated staff who can get the ball rolling on your release from jail. We’re open 24/7 and we always answer.