If you or someone you care about has been arrested, it is normal to worry about the potential penalties you may face if convicted. However, your top priority should be figuring out how to get out of jail as soon as possible. Fortunately, if you are not considered a flight risk or have not been charged with a violent crime, the court may set a bail amount that can be paid in exchange for temporary freedom until your trial date. The judge has complete discretion over the bail amount, meaning they can set it at an excessively high amount, hindering your ability to cover the total cost. Chances are, you will need to obtain a bail bond. Please continue reading to learn about bail bonds and how a dedicated Camden County Criminal Defense Attorney can help you today.
How does the bail bonds system work in New Jersey?
Following your arrest, you will be booked, and the court will set a bail amount. As the defendant, you will agree to pay a specific amount in exchange for the assurance that you will return to court for all proceedings regarding your case. For example, if the court sets bail at $10,000, you can pay $10,000 to the court to be released from jail. After you return to court on your specific date, the court will return the bail money as you adhered to the conditions of the agreement. Failure to appear on your court date will result in the automatic forfeiture of your bail amount, and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
If you cannot pay the bail the court has set, you cannot obtain temporary freedom from jail. In this scenario, you may turn to bail bonds as they can provide the means you need to be released from jail. A bail bond functions like a personal loan. You can give a small upfront downpayment towards your bail amount, and a bail bond agent will provide the remaining funds required for your release. In most cases, the bail bond agency will require that you provide them with valuable assets such as jewelry, a car, or even the deed of a house as collateral. Collateral assets are used to secure the bail bond loan as the agency is taking a risk on whether you show up for court. Once your trial has concluded, the bail money you receive will be returned to the bail company you received the loan from.
For more information regarding bail bonds, contact a trusted Camden County criminal defense attorney from the legal team at Thomas DeMarco & Associates, LLC, who can help you navigate this intricate legal process.
