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What to Do if You Can’t Afford Bail After an Arrest in New York City
What to Do if You Can’t Afford Bail After an Arrest in New York City
Oh man, getting arrested is no fun. Believe me, I know. One minute you’re minding your own business, the next there’s cops slapping cuffs on your wrists. Talk about a bummer.
But you know what’s worse than getting arrested? Getting arrested and not being able to afford bail. That’s when they send you to the clink to await trial. And let me tell ya, jail sucks. The food is terrible, the company isn’t much better, and there’s no privacy whatsoever. So if you got popped by the fuzz in the Big Apple and can’t cover the cost of bail, you gotta act fast. Here’s what to do:
First things first, get a lawyer on your case, pronto. You have the right to an attorney, so take advantage. A good lawyer can help get the charges dropped or reduced, or at least negotiate a lower bail amount. If you can’t afford a private attorney, don’t sweat it. The courts will appoint a public defender to represent you for free. Just know that public defenders have a ton of cases, so be patient.
Next, get your loved ones involved. Call your family and close friends, explain the sitch, and ask them to pool resources to help make bail. With a group effort, even a high bail amount becomes more manageable. Maybe your tía has excellent credit and can take out a loan. Or your roommate can organize a bail fundraiser. Crowdfunding sites make it easy to get the word out and collect donations.
You may also want to contact a bail bondsman. These guys will post bail for you…for a fee, usually 10% of the bail amount. So if your bail is $1,000, you’d pay the bondsman $100. It’s not cheap, but it beats rotting in jail. The bondsman may also let you do a payment plan if you’re strapped for cash. Can’t hurt to ask!
If all else fails, request a bail hearing and ask the judge to reduce the amount. Your lawyer can argue that the current bail is excessive. For example, if the charge is minor and you have no prior record, the judge may agree to lower the cost. Be warned, though – the judge could also raise it. So this is a bit of a gamble.
While you’re awaiting trial, it’s in your best interest to comply with all conditions of your release. That means showing up to all court dates, avoiding further legal trouble, and steering clear of witnesses or victims in your case. Violating release conditions can get your bail revoked, putting you right back behind bars.
On the bright side, New York recently reformed its bail system, so cash bail is required less often. Judges now weigh factors like flight risk and danger to the community when setting bail. Non-monetary options like pretrial monitoring are more common. There’s also a presumption of release for non-violent offenses. So the odds of getting bail may be lower than you think.
The moral of the story? Arrests happen, but having a smart legal strategy can help you get out of jail fast. Lean on your support network, explore all options to make bail, and let your lawyer handle the rest. With some luck and perseverance, you’ll be back home in no time. Chin up, friend. This too shall pass.
NYC Criminal Justice Agency Bail Information
How to Get Out of Jail Without Bail Money
Tips for Making Bail in New York
Crowdfunding for Bail Expenses
Reducing Bail Amounts in New York
Violating Bail Release Conditions