People get arrested for all kinds of reasons, but he vast majority of them are for minor issues, such as disorderly conduct or driving without insurance. If you find yourself behind bars, you do have options. For most people, this means posting bail.

How Much Is Bail?

A judge determines how much bail you need to post in order to go free before your court date. Most people want to get out of jail right away, so most jails have a standard algorithm they follow for common arrest reasons. A judge may decide that bail needs to be higher for more serious crimes, or if someone cannot post bail but also has no prior offenses, some judges may decide to lower the usual amount. Of course, this all depends on local and state laws.

Bail Conditions

In addition to paying money to get out of jail, you’ll also need to adhere to your bail conditions. Commonly called “conditions of release,” these typically involve obeying all laws, avoiding certain people or places, or anything else the judge feels is necessary to keep you out of trouble while you await trial.

Paying Your Bail

Once bail has been set and you know the conditions of your release, you can pay bail. Depending on how much bail is, you may pay cash or write a check for the full amount or you might put up property worth the amount as collateral. Sometimes, a judge allows a waiver of payment for people who aren’t considered a risk, which is known as being released on your own recognizance. However, most people who need to make bail end up purchasing bail bonds Washington PA. Typically, a bail bond costs 10% of the bail’s worth. This means that bail set at $100,000 will cost you $10,000.

If you decide to use a bail bondsman, ensure you hire someone who is licensed, insured, and certified. After all, you wouldn’t want to spend several thousand dollars only to realize that you still can’t get out of jail.