When someone finds themselves in a position where they are handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car, the best thing to do is to be cooperative and remain calm.
At the time of arrest, the arrested person will be read their “Miranda Rights”. Miranda Rights are recited so people know they have the right to remain silent and the right to consult a lawyer. Although it is recommended that people provide information such as their full name, date of birth, address, and other basic information to the police if requested, they should note that they are not required to disclose anything else. It’s natural for someone to want to tell their side of the story right away in an attempt to clear their name, but there’s a higher chance that this could cause more harm than good. You should always consult with a criminal defense attorney before making any type of statement related to the charges filed against you.
The next step in the arrest process is for you to be taken to a police station to be searched. The reservation involves fingerprinting, “mugshots” being taken, and information about the defendant and the arrest being entered into the jail’s computer system. Personal items, such as keys, wallets, purses, mobile phones, etc. will be taken into custody. That personal property will be returned to the defendant when he is released from jail.
Once the registration process is complete, the defendant will likely be told that their bond has been set at a certain dollar amount. This means that he or she has the opportunity to get out of jail if he or she wants to. Once this happens, the defendant (or her family) has two options. The first is to deposit the full amount of the bond with the court in the form of cash or a cashier’s check. That money will be refunded to the person who sent it, less any administrative fees, at the time the case is fully resolved. People should keep in mind that the return of this money will not be immediate and, in some cases, it could take months or even longer. If the defendant does not appear in court or skips court-ordered obligations related to the case, he will lose that money.
A second, more commonly used option is to seek the help of a knowledgeable bail bondsman. By choosing to work with a bail bondsman, only 10% of the total bail amount will need to be paid to get the defendant out of jail. That money is a fee paid to the bail bond company in exchange for the services they provide and is non-refundable.
However, once a person is released from custody, that does not mean that their case is over. The defendant will still have to appear for future court proceedings related to the charges filed against him in order for the matter to be resolved.
Being arrested can be scary, but people should know that bail bondsmen are available 24/7 to help them get out of jail. A good bondsman will help you understand how bail works.