What happens if you find yourself on the wrong side of the law and end up incarcerated? The first thing you should know is that it’s possible to bail yourself out of jail on your own. If the judge determines you’re eligible for bail, you have a couple of options for posting your bond and obtaining a conditional release from incarceration.
Read on to learn what you need to know to successfully bail yourself out of jail.
Seeking Release on Your Own Recognizance
This option doesn’t technically involve posting bail for yourself, but if you believe you’ll qualify for release on your recognizance, it’s the first thing you should try for.
Getting released on your own recognizance means the judge decides to release you from incarceration temporarily while you await the outcome of your pending case. Like bailing yourself out of jail, your release will have conditions tied to it. But unlike actually paying bail to the court or to a bond agent, this type of release involves no cost.
How does a judge determine if you qualify for release on your own recognizance? Typically, the same factors that might encourage a judge to set a low bail amount will also play into a judge’s determination of whether someone qualifies for this type of release. A judge is more likely to release you in this manner if you:
- Don’t have a previous criminal record
- Present minimal or no threat community member or yourself
- Have strong ties to the community (a family, a job, your own home, etc.)
- Were incarcerated for a petty crime
To get released on your own recognizance, you only need to sign a written agreement to appear in court as directed. If you fail to honor that agreement, you’ll end up back in jail.
Paying Cash Bail to the Court
If you can’t get released on your own recognizance, posting bail with the court is your next option. But to post this type of bail, you’ll need to pay the full cash amount of your bail directly to the court. In some jurisdictions, the court may also allow you to post a property bond, which will use property that you own as collateral for your conditional release.
Unfortunately, though, if your bail amount is high, you may not have the resources to post bail with the court on your own. If that’s the case, you have one more option: You can use the services of a bail bond agent.
Obtaining a Surety or Property Bond from a Bail Bond Agency
If you need help securing a bail bond to get yourself out of jail, you’ll need to use the services of a bail bond company. You may have a couple of options for getting the job done. If you have a friend or loved one on the outside, you can authorize that person to obtain a bond for you with your own money. Or, if the bail bond company you’re working with allows you to secure a bond from inside jail, you may be able to make that work too.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay a nonrefundable fee to secure your bail bond, which usually amounts to 10% of the total cost of your bail. You may also be required to sign over some form of collateral as assurance that you won’t violate the terms of your bail once you’re released.
Can You Bail Yourself Out of Jail?
Yes, in some cases, you can bail yourself out of jail. If you meet the criteria set by the judge and qualify for release on your own recognizance, you won’t need to post bail as there is no cost involved. However, this option is typically available for individuals with minimal criminal records, no significant threat to the community or themselves, and strong ties to the community.
If release on your own recognizance isn’t an option, you can consider paying cash bail to the court. This involves paying the full bail amount directly to the court, either in cash or through a property bond if allowed in your jurisdiction. Keep in mind that high bail amounts may pose a financial challenge, making the services of a bail bond agency a viable alternative.
Using the services of a reputable bail bond company allows you to obtain a surety or property bond to secure your release from jail. You may authorize a friend or loved one on the outside to obtain the bond for you, or in some cases, secure the bond from inside jail. Keep in mind that a nonrefundable fee, typically around 10% of the total bail amount, is required to secure the bail bond.
Get 24/7 Bail Bond Assistance From Licensed Mississippi Gulf Coast Bond Agents
When you need to bail someone out of a Mississippi Gulf Coast jail, look no further than our team at D&D Bail Bonds. Our licensed bond agents are available to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and our office specializes in rapid release from jail. Whether you’re looking for a surety, property, appearance, appeal, or transfer bond, we can get you what you need.
To get started or learn more about how we can help you, call us today at (228) 539-0700 or request a free consultation, and we’ll be in touch with you promptly.