A Guide to Pending Charges & Bail Bonds

For a majority of arrests, a person is charged with a crime, and then bail is automatically set based on the crime. In some cases, a person may face an arrest, get released, and then have their case labeled with pending charges. Pending charges could go in multiple directions. For anyone with potential charges, preparation is key to ensure a quick release from jail.

Follow this guide to learn about pending charges, how the charges impact bail amounts, and ways to prepare for a bail bond in the meantime.

Types of Pending Charges

Pending charges will typically apply when a prosecutor needs to review the case and evidence they have. In some cases, your charges could get dismissed outright and in other cases, you may have multiple charges filed against you. The turnaround time is relatively quick in the cases, so you will know what you are up against and if jail time is a factor.

In some cases, you could have partial pending charges. For example, you could be charged with a DUI and have pending charges on property damage or actions from some other incident. If more charges are added, you may have a separate bail amount to pay to get out of those charges. If the charges all come at once, then you will typically have one lump bail amount.

Pending Charges & Bail Bonds

One of the advantages of a pending charge is the ability to get everything in order. When charges will most likely come, a person can set up plans to ensure everything goes smoothly and their time spent in jail is a minimum. One of the first steps to take is a meeting with a bail bond company.

A local bail bond business can answer any questions and move forward with the paperwork process. As a person waits for the pending charges, someone can secure a co-signer to help pay for the bail bond. If the possible pending charges are known, then the bail bond company can have all the paperwork ready to execute.

Once the charges are filed, the bail bond company can execute their paperwork quickly and create minimal to no jail time. This comes with many advantages, especially if the person who faces charges has work and family responsibilities.

If charges are dropped, then the person doesn't need to worry about the bail bond process or pay any fees.

Pending Charges & House Monitoring

Instead of facing jail time, a person with pending charges may come across a situation where they are monitored in their home. A monitoring bracelet is extremely limiting and is often used if a prosecutor fears a person will break the terms of the bail before they show up to trial.

Before the charges and monitoring are set in place, a bail bond company will negotiate to have the bail bond act as insurance for a client's return for court dates. Without the house monitor, a person can live their everyday life and just ensure they show up for their court dates when they are supposed to.

When all of this is arranged ahead of time, a person will not need any home monitoring. If a person doesn't show up for a court date, the bail could be revoked and a bail bond company will seek out full compensation for the money lost through the bail bond payment.

Multiple Bail Bonds & Pending Charges

As mentioned before, in some cases, pending charges could include extra charges added on to the bail. An extra charge would include a separate bail bond agreement and the need to pay a separate fee. While the amounts may seem to add up to more, it would all equal out if it was just one lump sum anyway. The extra charges will mean just extra paperwork.

For example, if you had an initial charge with a $15,000 bail and the bail bond fee was 10 percent then you would pay $1,500 to a bail bonds company. If pending charges add $3,000 then the bail bond fee would be an additional $300 for a total of $1,800. If both charges were at once, the total amount would be $18,000 with the same total of $1,800 for the fee.

So no matter when the charges come in, the amounts add up the same and would be the same no matter what order they are paid in. A bail bond company can break down different fees and explain any questions a person has on various charges.

Get set up with bail bonds through our services at Absolute Bail Bonds. We are open 24 hours a day and can get the paperwork started as soon as someone faces pending charges. We deal with all types of legal situations all the time and can answer any detailed questions you have.