Bail Bonds: An Affordable Option for Getting Out of Jail

October 12, 2021

By Andy Callif Bail Bonds

After an arrest, one of the first steps in the criminal justice process is setting bail. At this stage, a judge will review your case to determine what amount you should be required to pay to get out of jail while your case is pending.

The judge will consider many factors when deciding on your bail. For example, they may take into account the nature and circumstances of the alleged offense, whether you have previously been charged with or convicted for any crime, and whether you might flee before your case is resolved.

Whether you have been accused of a misdemeanor or a felony, you may have to pay hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars to be released from police custody. You have a couple of options to pay bail, but one may be a more affordable choice than the other.

Your Options for Getting Out of Jail After an Arrest

To secure release from jail following an arrest, you can either pay cash or go through a bail bonds company. With cash bail, you must submit payment to the court or jail by cash or check. Generally, you are required to pay the exact bail amount in full before the jail can release you.

The benefit of posting cash bail is that, after your case, you will get your money back. However, you or your friends or family members must have the bail amount in the bank to pay by cash or check. Unfortunately, not everyone will have available $5000, $10,000, or whatever the bail amount is. And those who do have the funds might need it for necessities, like buying groceries or making a mortgage or car payment. Thus, cash bail is not the most affordable option.

Fortunately, there is another option available. And that is posting a bail bond. With this method, you go through a bail bonds company to secure your release from jail. If you decide to work with an agency, you will pay only a small premium for its services. In Ohio, bail bonds agencies can only charge 10% of the total bail amount. That means that instead of paying $5,000 or $10,000 upfront, you will only owe $500 or $1,000. For many people, that is a much more affordable option for getting out of jail after an arrest.

Flexible Payment Plans

Not only will you pay only a percentage of your bail amount by going through a bail bonds agency, but many companies also offer payment plans. At Andy Callif Bail Bonds, we offer convenient payment options to help find solutions to fit a range of budgets. These can make getting released from jail less costly.

A Knowledgeable Guide

As mentioned before, when you hire a bail bonds agent to post bail on your behalf, you will be assessed a small fee. This premium is paid in exchange for the agency's services, and it is non-refundable. Although you will not get it back, working with a bail bonds company has a range of benefits.

For instance, they can help you understand your obligations after release. Unfortunately, some people might not be familiar with the legal system and conditions of bail and make mistakes that have severe consequences. For instance, missing a court date could result in a warrant issued for their arrest and forfeiture of bail, meaning they won't get their money back.

A bail bonds agent can discuss the legal process with you and address your questions, helping to prevent you from making missteps in your case.

At Andy Callif Bail Bonds, we have been assisting individuals through the bail bonds process for 60 years and are familiar with state and federal court systems. When you turn to us, you can rest assured knowing that you are working with an experienced team ready to provide the guidance you need.

Bail Bondsman Serving Ohio

Our Ohio bail bonds agency serves clients in the following areas:

If you are looking for an affordable way to get yourself or a loved one out of jail in Columbus or the surrounding areas, contact Andy Callif Bail Bonds at (614) 945-4334. We will discuss your options and determine a course of action for your situation.

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