If you or a loved one has been arrested, the process can be confusing and frightening. Different states have different laws and processes regarding bail, including North Carolina. It’s imperative that you understand how bail bonds work to ensure you receive the help you need in a timely manner.

After being arrested, you’ll be booked into the county jail. Once your bond amount has been determined, you can contact a bail agent who will arrive at the county jail. The release process usually takes a few hours. However, the bail process can be anything but straightforward, which is why the smart move is to work with Robert J. Brown Bail Bonds. Our team is licensed, insured, and highly experienced in all areas of the bonding process. Most importantly, we are upright, upfront, and honest. Our goal is to keep you out of jail.

For more information or to get the process started, contact us online or by phone today.

Bail Bonds: What You Should Know

When a friend or loved one lands themselves in jail, the first question that may come to your mind is, “How do I get them out?” The fastest and easiest way to do this, in most cases, is to post bail.

Bail is cash, a bond, or property that an arrested person gives to a court to ensure that he or she will appear back in the courthouse when they are ordered to do so. If the defendant doesn’t show up to court as promised, the court may keep the bail and issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.

How Is Bail Set?

When someone is arrested, they are transported to the jail to be booked and processed. At this time, the crime the person is being charged with will be referenced against the county’s bail schedule. The schedule is created by a panel of judges, who assign bail amounts to specific crimes. For example, a state’s bail schedule may set bail for the crime of disorderly conduct at $1,000, while another state may set bail for the same crime at $2,000.

Once bail has been set, the defendant has two options.

They can post bail in order to secure what is known as a pretrial release.
They can sit behind bars.

If no cash bail or bail bond is posted, the defendant will remain in custody until the legal matter is resolved. Many people prefer option one, as it allows the defendant to return to their family, job, or schooling while they wait for their court date.

Before you contact a bail bonds specialist, you’ll want to get all of your ducks in a row so you can get your friend or loved one out of jail as soon as possible. A few questions your bail bonds expert may ask are:

Where is the defendant in custody?

Make sure you have city, state, and jail information.

What is the full name and booking number of the defendant?

Your bail agent will need this information in order to contact the jail.

How much is bail?

If you do not know this number, your bail agent will be able to obtain this information when they contact the jail. Your bail bonds specialist will be able to tell you the amount it will cost to post bond and any requirements needed to get the person out of jail.

Bail Hearing

When someone has been arrested, a judge or court officer will set the bail amount, along with any other conditions for the person’s release from jail. Some factors that may weight against bail include things like flight risk (the risk of the defendant fleeing the state) as well as risk to the public of further criminal activity. Some possible rulings for your bail hearing may include:

Release on Own Recognition – In this scenario, the defendant is released from jail in exchange for signing an agreement, promising that they will return to the court and abide by other conditions.
Personal Bond – In this case, the defendant is released upon signing a bond. The bond states that he or she will be liable for criminal, and in some cases, civil penalties if he or she fails to appear in court.
Bail Set with Terms of Release – The defendant may go free if they post the bail amount set by the court. They do this either by paying the bond directly to the court of obtaining a surety bond through a bail bond company.
Denial of Bail – The defendant is deemed too much of a flight risk or a risk to the public and they do not have the option to post bail.

Bail Conditions

In addition to a set bail amount, courts often impose other limitations or requirements on defendants when determining bail for specific cases. More often than not, these limitations are similar to those that would be imposed on people who have been found guilty of a crime and are sentenced to probation. Some conditions of bail include:

Pretrial Check-ins – Similar to checking in with a parole or probation officer, some people are required to make regular check-ins with pretrial service officers. These officers monitor the defendants prior to trial to ensure they comply with the orders imposed by the court.
Employment – Some courts may require the defendant to maintain employment while on bail. On the other hand, if the defendant is unemployed, the court can require him or or to attempt to find employment while on bail.
Firearm Restrictions – There are bail conditions that require the defendant to refrain from possessing firearms. This rule can be imposed even when the charged crimes did not involve the use of firearms.
No-Contact Orders – If the defendant has been accused of domestic violence, stalking, making criminal threats, or similar crimes, the court may impose a no-contact order. This order requires the defendant to refrain from contacting the alleged victim or victims of the crime.

Can The Defendant Leave The State or County While On Bond?

If the defendant wishes to leave the state or county while on bond, they will need to get permission from the bonding office in writing before doing so. If the court has ordered direct instructions that the defendant may not leave the county or state, they must get permission from the bail agent and the court before leaving. They are subject to arrest otherwise.

Bail Bonds in North Carolina

The North Carolina bail process can be confusing, but when you work with Robert J. Brown Bail Bonds, you can rest assured you’re getting the professional guidance you need to get your loved one out of jail quickly. For your convenience, we offer payment plans on qualifying bonds. With our easy-to-use app, you can request bail, search outstanding warrants, and more. We service an array of counties throughout North Carolina, including:

Duplin
Edgecombe
Greene
Johnston
Lenoir
Nash
Pitt
Wake
Pender
Wayne
Wilson
Sampson

North Carolina’s Top Rated Local® Bail Bonds Services

About Bail Bonds

Bail Bonds: What You Should Know

How Is Bail Set?

Before You Contact A Bail Bond Company

Where is the defendant in custody?

What is the full name and booking number of the defendant?

How much is bail?

Bail Hearing

Bail Conditions

Can The Defendant Leave The State or County While On Bond?

Bail Bonds in North Carolina

Duplin

Edgecombe

Greene

Johnston

Lenoir

Nash

Pitt

Wake

Pender

Wayne

Wilson

Sampson