Turning Yourself Over To Law Enforcement And Bail: What To Know

Posted on: 4 May 2022

If you know you are wanted by law enforcement, you can either turn yourself in or let law enforcement take the lead. It's far better to turn yourself in when you find out that you have a warrant out for your arrest because you will be found sooner or later and doing things the right way has its advantages. Read on to find out how to handle things the right way so that you can be in control and get bailed out quickly.

Speak to a Lawyer

If you don't already have a criminal defense lawyer, speak to one before you make a move. The lawyer can let law enforcement know that you intend to turn yourself in and make arrangements for it to happen peacefully. They can also arrange to be with you to protect your rights.

Speak to a Bail Bonding Agency

You can make plans to be bailed out once you have been arrested by getting in touch with a bail bond agency near the jail. Let the agent know you plan to turn yourself in and that a loved one will be in touch to pay your bail later. Arranging things ahead of time can reduce the time you must spend behind bars and make the entire process a lot smoother. If you don't use a bail bond agency, you must pay the full cost of the bail to the court which could amount to several thousand dollars. Bail bonds cost only a fraction of that. If you don't get bailed out, you could be sitting in jail for a long time awaiting your court date. It's helpful if you know what your warrant is for so that you can find out how much the bail bond cost might be.

Your Arraignment

You won't be able to get out of jail without knowing about your bail and that often happens at a meeting known as an arraignment. The arraignment is often held a day or so after an arrest and presents defendants with the opportunity to do several things at once:

  1. You are asked to enter a plea.
  2. You are asked if you have a lawyer.
  3. You are informed about bail.

Your chances of being offered bail depend on the nature of the charges, your criminal record, and personal characteristics, like your age, employment status, and community connections.

Get everything ready before you appear at the police station and contact a bail bond agency to find out more.

Share