Transfer Bond Process Work For Out-of-State Charges
If your friend or loved one has been arrested for a criminal or civil charge that took place in another state, the process of getting them out of jail is a little different than with local charges. That’s because each state issues its own bail bonds licenses and bonding fees vary depending on the location of the arrest.
When a person is arrested in another state, a process called a transfer bond allows your local bondsman to work with a professional in that location to get your loved one out of jail. This is a more complex arrangement than standard bail bonds, but it can be done. The main thing that needs to happen is a lot of communication between your local bail bondsman and the bail bondsman in the presiding jurisdiction.
Bail is set by a judge in the arraignment (also known as the bail hearing) and depends on several factors including the severity of the alleged crime, your past criminal history, your ties to the community and whether or not you’re considered a flight risk. A judge may also consider your ability to pay bail as part of the determination.
How Does the Transfer Bond Process Work For Out-of-State Charges?
The majority of the time, bail is set at a level that is too high for most people to afford. This is because a judge will want to be sure that you’ll return for court proceedings and won’t flee from prosecution. To determine this, the judge will ask you questions about your finances and whether or not you’re able to come back for court. The judge will also look at your previous record to see how serious the crime is and what type of sentence you’re likely to receive if convicted.
If you can’t afford to post bail, the judge may require you to sign a collateral bond. This is where you promise some type of property, such as your house or car, to the bail bond company so they can cover any charges if you don’t show up for court. If you do show up, the bail bond company will return your collateral within an agreed-upon amount of time.
Despite these criticisms, the bail bonds system is deeply ingrained in the U.S. legal system. Various states have different regulations governing the bail bonds industry, and some are exploring alternatives to the traditional cash bail system. In recent years, there has been a growing movement advocating for bail reform, with a focus on finding more equitable solutions that balance public safety concerns with the principles of justice.
In cases of out-of-state charges, the process is a little more complicated than standard bail bonds because of the additional paperwork involved. You’ll need to provide some information to the out-of-state bail bondsman, such as your name and address, as well as some other details about the case. In addition to this, the out-of-state bail bond agent will need to contact the presiding jurisdiction in the arresting state to ensure that you’re showing up for your court dates. This can be done by fax or email. This extra step is designed to prevent your friend or loved one from skipping out on their court appearances and potentially getting charged with a warrant for their arrest.