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How to Post Bail at a Police Station After an Arrest
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How to Post Bail at a Police Station After an Arrest
Getting arrested can be scary and overwhelming. Even if you feel the charges against you are unfair or false, you may still have to go through the booking and bail process before you can go home. Posting bail allows you to be released while your case makes its way through the legal system. Here’s what you need to know about posting bail after an arrest.
How a Bail Bonds Agent Works
If you can’t afford to pay the full bail amount, you can contact a bail bonds agent to post a “bail bond” which allows you to pay a non-refundable fee, usually 10% of the bail amount, to the bonds agent. They pay the rest to the court. So if your bail is $1,000, you would owe the bondsman $100. This saves you from paying the whole $1,000 up front. Just know that you won’t get that fee back – even if you show up for all your court dates. The bonds agent is taking on the financial risk of posting your full bail, which is why they charge a fee.
Paying Bail at the Police Station
Once bail has been set on your case, the process of posting bail can begin. Here are the typical steps:
- Find out your bail amount. Police should tell you the amount set by the judge.
- Decide if you will pay the full amount or contact a bail bondsman. If paying full bail, determine who (you, friend, family etc.) has access to enough funds.
- The person paying bail goes to the police station or jail cashier/finance window to pay. Make sure you know the specific location you need to go to pay bail.
- Pay the bail amount (or bondsman’s fee if you used a bonds agent) in cash or other approved payment type. A processing fee may also be charged.
- Get a receipt for your records showing bail was paid and details like the case number, defendant name, amount paid etc.
- Wait for the jail staff to process the bail payment and prepare paperwork for your release. This can take several hours.
- Once released, you will be given documents about your case and instructions for next steps and upcoming court dates.
Key Tips
- Make sure whoever is paying the bail amount has valid ID with them.
- You may have to pay additional fees like administrative or bail processing costs when posting bail.
- Have the exact bail amount ready in cash if possible. Other options like money order or credit card may be accepted, but can have additional fees.
- Be prepared to wait several hours after paying bail before being processed and released.
- Make sure you understand your next legal steps and court dates before leaving the jail.
What Happens After Bail is Posted?
Once you or someone else pays bail and you are released, make sure you understand and follow instructions for next steps in your case, like:
- Attending all required court dates
- Following the terms of your release (like avoiding contact with certain people)
- Staying out of further legal trouble
- Staying in contact with your lawyer
- Letting the court know if you move or change contact info
It’s critical to follow bail terms and show up for court hearings. If you miss court, you may have additional charges filed against you. You can also lose the bail money that was paid and be arrested again.
Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer represent you can be extremely helpful after an arrest. An attorney can sometimes get bail reduced or waived at no upfront cost, advise you on legal strategy, and make sure you take the right steps following release to resolve your case.
What if You Can’t Afford Bail?
If you truly can’t afford bail, don’t lose hope. Here are some options that may help secure your release:
- Request lowered or waived bail – Your lawyer can file a “bail reduction motion” asking the judge to lower bail to an amount you or family/friends can pay, or release you without requiring bail (source).
- Bail funds – Some non-profit groups offer assistance paying bail for those in need. Do research to see if bail funds operate in your area (example).
- Bonding companies – While bondsmen do charge a non-refundable fee, it’s a smaller percentage up front than the full bail amount.
- Take out a loan – As a last resort, you may be able to borrow money from family, friends, banks, or credit cards to pay bail related costs.
Staying in jail due to inability to pay bail can negatively impact your legal outcome, job, finances and more. If paying bail poses a significant hardship, explore all options carefully with your attorney.
Can police set and take bail money?
No. While police can temporarily detain you after arrest, only a judge can decide bail conditions at an arraignment hearing. Police may provide bail information, but cannot set or accept payments.
Can bail be denied?
Yes, judges can deny bail by issuing a “no bail hold” in cases like very serious felonies or when the defendant is considered a flight risk or danger to the public.
Can bail be revoked?
Yes, judges can revoke bail at any point if you violate release conditions, commit new crimes, miss court dates, etc. Bail revocation results in being jailed again until your case concludes or bail is reinstated.
Is bail refundable?
In most cases, yes. If you attend all court hearings and comply with release terms, the bail amount is returned when the case ends, even if convicted. But any bail bondsman fees will not be refunded.