Can't Afford Your Loved One's Bail? What To Do When Dealing With A High Bail Amount

Posted on: 16 September 2021

If your loved one has been charged with a violent crime, or if they've been deemed a repeat offender, chances are good that the judge will impose a high bail amount. If that's the case, you might have difficulty coming up with the funds. If that happens, you might think that your loved one will need to remain in jail throughout the course of the trial. However, that's not necessarily the case. There are still avenues you can take to secure the funds you need for your loved one's bail release. Here are four steps you need to take if you can't afford your loved one's bail. 

Work With a Bail Bondsman

If you haven't made contact with a bail bond agency yet, now's the time to do that. In most cases, bail bond agencies only require you to pay 10 percent of the total bail amount in cash. The rest can be provided in real and personal property collateral. If bail was set so high that you can't even arrange for the minimum payment, don't despair. Many bail bond agencies will work with you to arrange a payment plan. 

Request a Bail Reduction

If you're struggling to arrange bail for your loved one, it's time to get their attorney involved. It is possible to have your loved one's bail reduced. However, any reduction will require a formal request to the court, which your loved one's attorney will need to do. If the request is successful and the bail is reduced, you'll only need to come up with 10 percent of the new bail amount. 

Reach Out to a Charity

If you've been unable to secure funds for your loved one's bail bond, it's time to reach out to local charity organizations. You might not realize this, but many charitable organizations will provide assistance for people who can't afford their bail. To increase your chance for success, reach out to several charitable organizations. This is especially beneficial where a high bail amount is concerned. You can gather funds from several organizations until you collect enough for your loved one's bail bond. 

Try Crowdsourcing

Finally, if your loved one is stuck in jail because you can't come up with the funds for their bail release, get your friends and family involved. They can help you put together an effective crowdsourcing plan. Crowdsourcing is a great way to put together the funds you need for your loved one's bail.

Go to websites of bail bond providers to learn more.

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