Unexpected arrests can happen anywhere. One of the most complex instances involves the arrest of people who live outside of town or in another state.
So, how do you handle a situation like this? Keep reading to find out!
A Note On The Difficulty of Out-of-State Bail Bonds
Bail bonds in Memphis can be hard to get for people who live out of town or the state because companies recognize there is a higher likelihood of absconding. It can also be more difficult to find them if they do.
Courts consider the same factors, which could cause them to determine these individuals have higher flight risks. Depending on the crime, this could result in higher-than-normal bail amounts or the individuals being held without bail.
As a Memphis resident, you might feel responsible for the defendant, especially if he or she visited the city to see you.
With all this in mind, what’s the solution, and what process do you need to complete with the bonding company?
Identify the Jail
More often than not, people arrested in Memphis are taken to the Shelby County Jail. While this might not always be the case, it’s a good starting point.
According to the website for the General Sessions Court Clerk, you can call 901-222-4700 to get booking information.
Note that there are separate facilities for women and juveniles. If the defendant is a trans person, it might take a longer time to figure out where they are being held.
Speak To the Defendant
You might not be the only person pushing hard to free your loved one using bail bonds in Memphis. If you join efforts with other people working toward the same end, it might become a lot easier to achieve your goal.
The defendant can also provide you with additional information about what happened and whether the attorney believes there is a high likelihood of affordable bail.
If the defendant does not yet have a privately hired attorney, this is an opportunity for you to find someone to replace the public defender.
Public defenders are often overworked and do not have access to the best resources, so hiring a private attorney tends to increase the chances of lowering bail and securing freedom.
Research the Process for Bail Bonds in Memphis
If you are unfamiliar with the bail process in Memphis, now is the time to change that. The specifics vary by case and even the officers who handle it.
Even so, it follows similar guidelines. When arrested persons arrive at a facility, officers process them and allow one phone call. Individuals might choose to call close family members, trustworthy friends, attorneys or bail agencies.
For less serious crimes, the bail bond might be immediately set based on existing Memphis laws. When cases involve more serious charges, the person might need to wait for a bail hearing.
If this step is required, your loved one could end up spending at least a night in jail. When you post bail, the release is not immediate. It might still take up to five hours for the person to be released.
Understand the Conditions of Bail Bonds in Memphis
While researching the general bail process, be sure to check for specifics on how out-of-state defendants are treated. If the person lives in another nearby city or town that is within Tennessee, he or she might be able to return home.
In cases where the person lives in another state, attempting to return home could lead to the court issuing a bench warrant for that person’s arrest.
Once the court issues a bench warrant or the person is arrested a second time, there is a possibility the bonding company might not get its money back. This could leave you on the hook for the full amount of the bail.
Evaluate Flight Risk
Using bail bonds in Memphis to free someone from jail is a big commitment. If that person fails to follow through on the conditions set by the court and does not show up for the hearing, you become financially liable.
This is true whether you hire a bondsman for the job or pay the full cost in cash. Because of this, it’s important to conduct your own due diligence and determine if the person will follow the rules:
- How long or how well do you know the person?
- Does he or she have a history of criminal activity?
- Does he or she tend to follow through with promises?
- Would he or she abscond knowing someone else will be held liable?
If you determine you don’t trust the person enough to put your money on the line or you can’t afford to, you can still help in other ways. Contact the person’s family members and friends and share the information you collected on bail bonds in Memphis. You can also recommend All n One Bail to help them navigate the process.
Find a Suitable Bail Bond Company
When securing bail for someone who lives out of town, it’s a good idea to find a company in your area. The company will think twice about needing to track down someone who has no obligations to remain, but a local is easier to find. Even then, you might still have a difficult time finding bail bond companies that are willing to pay for the release of someone to whom absconding is as easy as going home.
Another reason you need a local company for bail bonds in Memphis is that it will be most familiar with local laws. This familiarity can help it better evaluate the risks and answer questions you have. Memphis bail bond companies can also navigate the release process faster because they are familiar with the local system.
At All n One Bail, we assist families in all of Shelby County. Our service areas include the neighboring areas of Collierville, Millington, Bartlett, Memphis and Germantown. For more complex cases involving non-locals, we review the details carefully before making a final decision.
We have built a reputation for being one of the cheapest and fastest ways to free your loved ones. Even better, you can start the whole process online. Fill out our online bail application to get started.
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