If you are arrested for a crime and put into jail, it is critical to contact an Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. While your attorney can guide you through the steps of getting out of jail, this blog will provide you with some helpful tips for hiring a bondsman or posting bail.

When Can Bail Be Posted?

An initial bail hearing is typically held within 48 hours of your loved one being taken into police custody in Oklahoma. There are some offenses that have a predetermined bail amount that is set at the time of the arrest. However, if a court hearing is necessary, the judge will consider the offense your loved one is being charged with and set the bail amount. The court will inform you of where you can post the bail.

How Does a Bondsman Help Me Get Out of Jail?

Unless you are arrested for a serious violent offense, your crime usually will carry a bond, allowing you to get out of jail while your case is pending. You must either hire a bondsman to post the bond or have a loved one post it directly through the Court. Posting a bond directly involves a family member or friend going to the jail or the courthouse and paying for your bond with cash or a cashier’s check. Make sure they keep a copy of the receipt, especially if the bond is posted with cash!

Will I Get the Bond Money Back?

At the conclusion of the case, the bond will be returned if the arrested person appears for all court dates, whether convicted or not. However, if the defendant fails to appear in court, you risk losing the bail amount. Many individuals cannot afford to pay the total cash bond amount, so they are a bail bondsman.

How Does a Bail Bondsman Help?

In most instances, a bail bondsman will require you to pay them a non-refundable ten percent (10%) amount of the total bail figure. In exchange for this sum, the bail bondsman will guarantee to the Court that your loved one will appear at all court hearings. If your loved one attends all his or her court appearances, the bail bondsman will keep the ten percent (10%) of the bail amount, regardless of the outcome of the case. However, if your loved one fails to appear in court, the bail bondsman becomes liable for the total bail amount, which they will seek to recover from you. Additionally, the bail bondsman will attempt to locate the defendant.

Are There Other Types of Bonds?

The court may release your loved one on a conditional bond. A conditional bond does not require cash or a bail bondsman, but rather, the release is conditioned upon your loved one performing a number of requirements.

In some Oklahoma counties, an individual arrested for a non-violent offense may be released on their own recognizance (often called an “O.R. Bond”), which also does not require any money to be paid for the bond.

You Should Not Face Criminal Charges Alone – Contact Us Today

If you are facing criminal charges it is critical to seek the help of experienced criminal defense professionals. Our BMO criminal defense attorney legal team provides upfront communication and aggressive representation of our clients. Call Babbit, Mitchell & Ogle at (405) 692-7676 to ensure your rights are protected and to receive the best possible defense.