When a loved one is first arrested, you will be thrust into a whirlwind of emotions and decisions. Naturally, those conditions aren't conducive to the decision-making process. One of the main decisions you'll make is to post bail. You may decide to use a bail bond company. If you decide to post bail using a bail bond, avoid the following mistakes in the process.

Failure to Ask the Right Questions

Most people don't research bail bond companies until they need one. At that time, they usually feel that time is of the essence. They want to get their loved one out of jail as soon as possible.

Be that as it may, don't rush the process of securing a bail bond company. When you first contact a bail bond company, you should be prepared with the right questions. Money, of course, is an important consideration. Find out how much of a fee you have to pay for the bond company's services. Most companies charge a percentage of the listed bail.

Time is another important consideration. Ask how long the release process should take. The bail bondsperson may have to communicate with authorities for a proper timeline. Ask about the company's opening hours — ones that are open late and on the weekends usually get the release more quickly.

Finally, ensure you work with a licensed and reputable company. Ask if the company carries a local license, which allows them to do business in the community. You can also ask about their ratings and general customer satisfaction. Consider looking at their consumer ratings online.

Failure to Bring the Pertinent Information

Those initial hours after speaking to your loved one who's been jailed will be the most confusing, especially if you've never posted bail. Nonetheless, you'll need pertinent information when you visit the bail bondsperson. Collect all of that information before you head over to the bail bond company.

The most important information is the person's full, legal name and the place of detainment. Be careful if there's more than one jail in your town that you have the right location. If you can get an inmate number, that information will be very useful. You also need to know the exact charges against the defendant and the bail amount.

Failure to Evaluate the Incarcerated Person

The bail bond company provides the funds to post bail so your loved one can get out of jail. The company takes the risk, but they ensure compliance with the law by requiring collateral, which can be vehicles, real estate, stocks, jewelry, or credit cards. They'll seize the collateral if they lose the bail money due to failure to comply.

That collateral represents your wealth. Therefore, you must evaluate people you're considering posting bail for. They should have community connections and family obligations so that they're more likely to comply with the legal process. You don't want to post a bail bond for a person who might be a flight risk or who won't be responsible enough to show up for court dates.

Failure to Understand the Bail Conditions

In that vein, an understanding of bail conditions will help you assess whether you want to post a bond for someone.

Obviously defendants are required to attend their court appearances. However, they're usually also required to check in with pretrial service officers. These officers monitor defendants to ensure they're in compliance with orders or conditions of their bail.

Indeed, a common bail condition is a ban on owning or using firearms, even if the defendant's crime didn't involve weapons. Bail conditions usually restrict the use of alcohol if the crime was alcohol-related. If drug-related, the defendant may be required to take a drug test.

Some other common conditions relate to travel and employment. Typically, defendants are not allowed to leave the area, especially for interstate or international travel. They often also have to maintain employment. Make sure your loved one will comply with these conditions.

Protect yourself while helping your loved one get released from jail as you secure a bail bond. When you need a reputable bail bond company, contact Matt McKeehan Bail Bonds.

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