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Understanding the Bail Process in Indianapolis, Indiana

Decoding the Bail Process in Indianapolis, Indiana

When facing incarceration, the process of bail can seem a bit overwhelming. Whether worrying about whether a bond will be given or the stress of how much that bond will cost and how to get it paid, Smith American Bail Bonds is here to help make the process as swift and affordable as possible. There are limitations to what percentage can be paid and what kind of collateral may be accepted. In this article, we will go on how the process works and how one should navigate the bail process.

WHAT IS BAIL?

Bail is a set amount of money that needs to be paid for a defendant to be released from jail. The purpose of bail is to allow the defendant to be free from incarceration throughout their trial, to motivate the defendant to show up to court, and it acts as a deposit on the total amount of the bond, as only a certain percentage of the total bond needs to be paid. If the defendant fails to appear or decides to “go on the run,” the full bond will need to be paid, and if any collateral was given, that collateral could be ceased to fulfill the bond payment.

HOW DOES ONE APPLY TO PAY A SURETY BOND?

If a person is incarcerated and has been given a surety bond, this is where the bail bondsman is needed. If a defendant needs a bail bondsman, they will need to contact a trustworthy person (who is not incarcerated) and ask them to meet with the bondsman to complete an application and pay the premium amount due for the bond that has been set. If the indemnitor (person applying) is 18 years of age or older, is a U.S. citizen, has a valid ID, and can prove current employment, they should be eligible to apply and pay for the bond to be posted so their loved one can be released. In the event collateral may be needed, there will be additional documentation required as collateral serves as an extra layer of security, and the bond will be paid in the event the defendant does not comply with the court or bond requirements.

What Is the Bond Amount? Are there Additional Fees?

One of the first questions we usually get asked at Smith American Bail Bonds is, “What is the bond amount?”. Now, this can be answered quickly with a quick lookup of the defendant’s information, and usually, the lower the charge, the lower the bond, and the higher and more serious the charge, the higher the bond. At Smith American Bail Bonds, we try to offer the state minimum payment option of 8%. However, this percentage scale is determined case-by-case as every case and charge differs. If a defendant has been arrested before and failed to attend court, this could be viewed as a flight risk, and the entire 10-15% of the bond may be collected. If the bond amount is above $100,000, then the complete 10% will be collected, and collateral may also be necessary. Remember that the total amount is not being paid upfront; only a percentage of that bond is being spent. Therefore, collateral is an incentive to stay compliant and complete the case. Once a defendant completes their case and stays compliant, the collateral is returned to the person who signed the bond.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING IN COMPLIANCE

Once a bond is paid and the defendant is released, it is essential to comply with the court and bail bondsman's terms of release. If a defendant chooses not to abide by the court, they risk a warrant being issued and potentially being rearrested. Suppose the defendant does not comply with their bail bondsman’s release conditions. In that case, they are at risk of the

bondsman petitioning the court to revoke the bond, releasing the bondsman and the indemnitor from responsibility and liability. Staying compliant shows the court and the bondsman that the defendants intend not to re-offend and to complete their court case without further incident.

WHERE DO I FIND A BONDSMAN IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA?

If you find yourself or a loved one in need of a bail bondsman in Indianapolis,

Indiana, please get in touch with Smith American Bail Bonds, located at 55 S State Ave # 355,

Indianapolis, IN 46201 or 8902 Otis Ave Suite 123A, Indianapolis, IN 46216. If any

further assistance is needed, please feel free to contact us by phone at 317-531-5447