You may feel tempted to jump at the first bail bonds agency that you come across, but the fact is, not all people or agencies are out there for your best interest. ABC Bail Bonds has a few ways to choose the right bail bonds agency for you.

When researching different agencies to use, always make sure that the insurance license they are using is valid in the state you are looking. Also, when researching particular agencies, make sure they have a good history. There are too many shady companies just looking to make a quick dollar.

Also, with choosing a reputable agency, make sure they have an actual address. Sometimes agencies will list an address that is not their true location, so you believe that they are close to you. This is the mark of an agency you do not want to become involved with.

Once you have decided on a particular agency, call them and ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask questions about their company, and explain to them your situation. Remember, they are working for you, and if you do not feel comfortable with the agency you have the freedom to pick another.

Once you decide on an agency and you agree on the payments and percentage rate than you can proceed into using their services. Choosing a bail bonds agency can be painless, as long as the necessary steps are taken to protect yourself.

1. Simply Use Common Sense

When you find yourself in a compromising situation or something just doesn’t
seem right, remove yourself from that situation. You never know how quickly
things can go awry, so by avoiding situations that give you the wrong feeling, you
can easily avoid the repercussions of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
If things do go awry, treat police officers and other representatives of the law
with respect.

2. Be a Good Driver

Put simply, be a good, lawful driver. Don’t drink and drive, get a designated
driver or a cab. You can avoid DUIs and DWI and car accidents this way. Also,
don’t keep anything illegal in your car. Your car could be impounded if you’re
pulled over and illegal items are discovered, and you could face multiples
charges.

3. Maintain Control When Drinking

When out drinking, maintain control of your situation. If you find yourself in a
drunken argument or brawl, you could find yourself in the drunk tank or being
charged with something you could have avoided.

4. Keep Your Presciption Drugs Labeled

Keep prescriptions drugs in the container they came in and do not mix
medications in one container. That looks suspicious in the eyes of the law. Be
aware of what substances are in your car at all times, you can be fined and face
other prosecution even for what your passengers have.

5. Stay Home if Going Out is Risky

If you’re thinking of going somewhere that you know may present a
compromising situation, don’t go. By hanging out at home, you can potentially
avoid arrest.

6. Do Not Resist Arrest

Never accost a police officer. It will almost always result in more offenses, and
the police will not be on your side throughout the process. If you have issues
with the way your arrest was handled, there may be a legal remedy.

7. Avoid Warrants

Obey the law by the book. Pay all fines and show up to court dates. Never ignore
a ticket or a charge, take the appropriate steps. If you don’t, a warrant for your
arrest could be issued.

8. Don’t Steal

Businesses have a variety of security precautions in place to avoid theft. Stealing even a small item could cost you time and money that could have been spent on
more constructive things. If you can’t afford something, wait until you can.

9. Know Weapons Laws

Make sure you know how to lawfully use and possess the weapons you own.
Register weapons and guns properly, and make sure you know what constitutes
a weapon in the state you live in. Knowing the law can help you avoid legal
troubles.

10. Follow Traffic Laws

A lot of crimes and punishments can be avoided if you don’t speed and you
follow traffic laws. Oftentimes, multiple charges can result when a motorist pulled over for breaking a traffic law.

These simple tips may help you live a more lawful life.

1.  Release from prison.  This is the most important aspect of securing a bail bond.  No one wants to stay in prison any longer than they have to, and in addition to your freedom, you will have the opportunity to continue in your daily routine—you can continue to work, to take care of your family, and to live your life.  Without the bail bond, your life is on hold while you wait in a jail cell.

2.  A feeling of security.  Knowing that you can sleep in your own bed at night while you face the stress of a court case will ease your burden considerably.  It would be much more difficult to feel confident about your trial while living among the general prison population.  Let ABC Bail Bonds help you feel secure.

3.  The knowledge that a family member has your back.  The co-signer who paid for your bail bond believes in you, loves you, and wants you home.  So much so that he or she is willing to pay for your release.  Having an ally that strong will be important while you prepare for trial.

4.  Presumed innocence.  In America, we are believed innocent until proven guilty.  That is supposed to be the case whether you are cooling your heels in a jail cell or living at home while you prepare your defense.  However, it’s a lot easier to feel that presumed innocence when you are still able to live among your friends and neighbors.  Like it or not, there is a stigma to spending time in jail, whether you are later acquitted or not.  Purchasing a bail bond can help you to avoid that stigma.

5.  The ability to make payments.  ABC Bail Bonds recognizes the financial realities of the world.  We understand that not everyone has the money on hand to secure a bail bond for a loved one.  So we offer payment plans to our co-signers so that their loved ones do not have to stay in prison for any longer than necessary.  We do not want financial hardship to keep you from doing right by your family and friends.

Even at 10% of the bail amount, bail bonds can be difficult for individuals and families to manage financially.  But the stress and uncertainty of facing a trial without securing release from prison will have a much higher emotional cost for your family.  ABC Bail Bonds is here to help.

Here are the basics:

• If you or a loved one is arrested, the services of a friendly bail agent, like those available 24/7/365 through ABC Bail Bonds, America’s Bail Company® can secure a release from prison.
• For a premium—generally 10% of the total bail amount—the co-signer (that is, the family member or friend who is trying to secure the your release) will be able to have the defendant released from custody.
• Even if the co-signer does not have the full amount needed to secure bail, ABC Bail Bonds offers payment plans to make sure the co-signer can still secure the defendant’s release.
• The co-signer needs to guarantee that the defendant will appear for every court date directed by the court.  In other words, the defendant is accountable to the cosigner as well as the court.
• Once the bail bond has been obtained, it is valid for the entire life of the case.  So even if the court case stretches out for months or even years before the case is dismissed, or you receive a sentence or a not-guilty verdict, the agreement between the co-signer and ABC Bonds remains in place.  However, if you appeal a guilty verdict, you will need to secure another bond.
• If the defendant is in police custody when the bail bond is obtained, the release should take place fairly quickly.  If the defendant has already been placed in the general county population, release may take a little longer—six to eight hours, generally.  Regardless of where the defendant is in custody, the paperwork to secure release will only take a few minutes to complete.
• The defendant must appear for each and every court appearance, or else the bail bond goes into forfeiture.  The co-signer should make every effort to convince the defendant to surrender him/herself to the police, the court or the bail company.  “Bail jumping” is a serious matter and has big financial and legal consequences.
• The bail bond premium is not refundable.  Make sure you thank your co-signer.

Facing arrest, time in police custody, and a court case are all stressful and frightening possibilities.  Knowing ahead of time how the system works, and remembering that the agents at ABC Bail Bonds are here for you, will help you to keep your cool in a tough situation.