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How Philadelphia Federal Bail Bonds Work: Costs, Requirements, Process
How Philadelphia Federal Bail Bonds Work: Costs, Requirements, Process
Getting arrested can be scary. Even if you’re innocent, you may need to post bail to get out of jail while your case goes through the system. Bail lets you go home while ensuring you’ll come back to court. But coming up with enough money can be hard. That’s where bail bonds can help. Let’s break down how bail bonds work in Philadelphia at the federal level, including costs, requirements and the step-by-step process.
What is Bail and How Much Will it Cost?
After an arrest, a judge sets an amount of money you’ll need to pay to get out of jail. This is your bail. Judges consider factors like flight risk, danger to the community, and severity of the alleged crime when setting bail. The amount can range from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the case.
Since most people don’t have huge sums sitting in their bank account, paying the full bail amount upfront can be impossible. Instead, you can use a bail bonds company. You pay them a small percentage (usually 10-15%) called a bail bond premium. They pay the full bail to the court on your behalf. So if your bail is $20,000, you’d only owe the bondsman $2,000-$3,000.
The premium is nonrefundable, even if you show up for all court dates. The bondsman keeps it as their fee for posting your bail. Still, it beats paying the whole bail upfront!
Bail Bond Requirements
Bail bond companies need to ensure you’ll come back for court dates and not flee. So they check for ties to the community before posting bond. Common requirements include:
- Steady residence in the area
- Steady employment or other income
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- No outstanding warrants
- No major flight risks like upcoming foreign travel
They also do a background check and review your criminal history. Major red flags like prior bail jumping may disqualify you.
How the Bail Bond Process Works
Getting bail with a bondsman involves several steps:
- Initial Consultation: Meet with a bondsman to discuss your charges, bail amount set, ties to the community, and ability to pay the premium.
- Application: Fill out an application form with personal details, employment, contacts, criminal record, etc. Consent to credit checks and other background screening.
- Contract Signing: If approved, sign a contract agreeing to pay the premium fee and show up for court dates. This is a legal agreement with serious consequences if broken.
- Payment of Premium: Pay the nonrefundable premium fee, usually by cash, credit card, etc. This may be as low as 10-15% of the total bail amount.
- Posting of Bail Bond: The bondsman pays your bail amount to the court, letting you get released while the case proceeds.
- Court Date Reminders: Check in with your bondsman and follow instructions to ensure you don’t miss court dates.
- Case Conclusion: Once the case finishes in court, your bail bond with the agent dissolves as well.
Using Bail Bonds for Federal Cases
The bail system works slightly differently at the federal level, like for cases tried in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Here’s a quick rundown of special rules for federal bail bonds:
- Only federal bond agents can post bail bonds in federal cases, not state or local ones.
- Judges have more discretion in denying bail for federal cases.
- Rules for forfeiture and revocation of bail may differ.
- Immigration status issues can complicate things.
The best bet is finding an experienced federal bail bondsman in Philadelphia familiar with the federal district court system. They can navigate any issues around federal bail to get your release.
If You Can’t Afford Bail
Unfortunately bail bonds are still a business, even if they help people. Some companies won’t help those unable to pay the premium. If you have no income or assets to leverage, what options exist?
First, ask your public defender about any local charities, churches, or nonprofit groups that help people who can’t make bail. Some crowdsource donations or have funds set aside for paying premiums.
You can also request a bail hearing and ask the judge to lower your bail to an affordable amount. Factors like being a low flight risk, strong community ties, and lack of criminal history help. Just know hearings take time, so you’d stay in jail waiting for one.
What Happens if You Miss Court Dates?
A big reason bondsmen take on risk by paying bail is that you promise to show up for court. If you miss dates without an amazing excuse, that’s bail jumping and has serious fallout:
- The court issues an arrest warrant for failure to appear.
- The bondsman sends bounty hunters after you to return you to jail.
- Any money or collateral tied to your bond is forfeited.
- You pay all costs to return you to court.
- New criminal charges get added for bail jumping.
Plus, missing court looks really bad! Judges get pissed and prosecutors seek higher penalties. It can tank innocent defenses too. Simply put, no good comes from skipping court if out on bail.
Bail Bond Conditions
Bondsmen may add special requirements beyond showing up for court as a condition of posting bail, like:
- Random drug/alcohol testing
- Ankle bracelet/GPS monitoring
- Reporting requirements like parole
- No travel without permission
- No new crimes or arrests
Breaking these forfeits your bail bond protections. So follow any rules set by your bail agent to the letter!
Federal Bail Reform Efforts
Bail reform advocates argue the current money bail system penalizes the poor. Those unable to afford premiums stay stuck in jail awaiting trial. Jailed defendants also have a harder time meeting with lawyers and gathering evidence. This skews case outcomes based on income. As a result, reform bills aim to:
- Greatly reduce or end cash bail requirements
- Only jail those shown to be dangerous or high flight risks
- Release more people on own recognizance
- Curb excessive bail amounts
For example, New York passed sweeping bail reform laws in 2019. Qualified defendants now get released without cash bail. While well-intentioned, the complex laws saw rocky early results. Reform debates continue nationwide, including in Pennsylvania.
Speak to a Bondsman Today
Don’t sit in jail if you can’t afford bail! Reach out to a licensed bail bondsman serving Philadelphia federal cases to start the bail process. They work on payment plans and help those with low income too. Within hours of approval, you can walk out of jail and fight your case while awaiting trial outside bars.