The period between arrest and posting bail to secure your release may be overwhelming. You may feel that time is moving slowly and become restless. However, be careful of what you do within this period, as it can significantly affect your case. There are things you can do to wait out this period patiently, enabling the success of your release on bail. Continue reading to learn what you should and should not do.
Remain Calm and Patient
While it might be difficult due to the excitement of leaving jail, remind yourself to remain calm. You will only attract more problems to yourself if you start to be restless. Avoid problematic actions or confrontations in jail. These may result in added criminal charges or delays in releasing you.
Also, avoid answering any questions from the police officers about your case without your legal counsel. They can use the information you provide them against you. Do cooperate with the law enforcement officers. You do not have to be super friendly with them. Just ensure you avoid arguing or deferring to your captors. Avoid chit-chatting with them, as you may end up saying something you should not have, landing you in more trouble.
Do not confide in law enforcement officers off the record. Note that there is nothing like a confidential conversation with police officers. Please do not fall for it. It is best to stay silent, even if they promise that your statements will not impact your case, because they will.
Do Not Talk About Your Case
Avoid discussing the specifics of your case with cellmates or making self-incriminating statements. The police can use any incriminating things you say against you later in court. Assume the police constantly monitor you and record anything you say while in custody pretrial. So, you will do well to keep quiet unless you are talking to a lawyer.
Likewise, when you are on a jail phone, do not discuss the details of your case with the person you are talking to. Police officers record jail telephone calls. Therefore, talking about your case specifics over the phone could be detrimental. You could say someone is self-incriminating during your phone call, which the officer will not hesitate to use against you in court.
Be In Constant Communication With Your Attorney
If you already hired a lawyer, ensure you constantly communicate with them. Inform them of every tiny bit of thing that happens that you think will affect your case. For example, inform them about the judge-imposed bail terms or your interactions with police officers.
If you do not understand one or several court-imposed bail conditions, ask your lawyer to explain them. That will help avoid violating these conditions unknowingly while out of custody. Remember, violating any of the imposed bail conditions could lead to the cancellation of bail. That means the police would rearrest you and the judge would deny you bail a second time, meaning you will have to stay in custody until your trial. You do not want to risk that. Some of the bail conditions include:
- Staying in the state of count
- Refraining from particular conduct, like using drugs and alcohol
- Avoiding visiting certain geographic places (like the scene of the supposed offense)
- Avoiding contacting the supposed victim
- Surrendering your travel documents, such as your passport
- Submitting to random drug tests (if accused of a drug crime)
- Enrolling in an alcohol or drug treatment program (if charged with
If you do not already have an attorney, ask how to acquire one to assist you in navigating the legal intricacies. You can:
- Ask for recommendations from fellow inmates: Inmates may know lawyers specializing in particular legal areas.
- Use the jail's telephone system: If the jail allows it, you can contact attorneys directly using its phone system and ask about their legal services.
- Ask your loved ones: ask your friends or family to start researching attorneys in your region and contact them for you.
- Access legal resources the jail provides: Some jail facilities offer legal libraries or access to online databases where you can search for attorneys
Plan for When Out In Jail
Think about what follows after you are out of jail. Consider planning where you will go and how you will reach there. Also, ask yourself what support systems are in place to enable you to comply with the bail conditions smoothly. For example, if you are restricted from travel, think of how you will successfully have everything done when you can no longer travel. Also, if the court did impose rehab conditions, plan how you would enroll and complete the program smoothly.
Follow the Jail Rules Until the Last Minute
All jails have their rules and regulations. While awaiting your bail release, learn and comply with these rules until outside the jail gates. Any violation of these rules can attract increased bail conditions or disciplinary action. Some of the rules and regulations you may encounter in jail include the following:
- An inmate will frequently undergo tests for controlled substances and alcohol
- An inmate is not allowed to have telecommunication devices
- An inmate will not be able to possess particular publications
Cooperating and following the rules is crucial since it shows that you treat the matter seriously. The judge may consider your compliance when reviewing whether or not to post bail and the conditions to impose.
Find an Experienced Bail Bonds Service Near Me
The thought of spending time in custody can make you desperate and restless. However, you want to do as provided above while your loved ones work on posting bail to secure your release. Following the above tips will make it easier for you to navigate this challenging period and have a smooth jail release. For example, when you constantly communicate with your lawyer, you will have assurance that someone is working to clear your situation.
If you are arrested in Las Vegas and your loved ones cannot raise the bail amount quickly, advise them that we at Express Bail Bonds can help. Our services are 24/7, so we can process a bond for you regardless of the time or day you are arrested. Also, our bondsmen are quick and reliable in bond processing, so you will not have to stay in jail longer than you have to. Do not wait any longer. Contact us now at 702-633-2245 to kick off the process.
