The Bail Bond Process in Pennsylvania

 

If a person is charged with drunk driving or any other criminal offense in the state of Pennsylvania, they are taken into custody. The arrested person is taken to the local Police or Sheriffs Department for booking. This is required to determine the bail amount and in some cases to decide if the defendant is eligible for bail or not. In the case of common crimes, jails have standard bail schedules to avoid the presence of a judge or magistrate to set the bail. In most cases, the defendant has the option to post bail immediately.

 

What is a Bail Bond?

 

To get your friend or family member out of jail, you will need to contact a bail bond company or agent who will make arrangements and get everything in order to post the bond at the necessary jail. This is required to secure the release of the defendant.

 

What type of bail can be posted?

 

According to Rule 524 of the Pennsylvania state code, there are five types of release on bail.

 

Cash Bail – Also known as monetary bail, the defendant has to pay the agreed bail amount of money in order to meet bail. The amount of bail set depends on the seriousness of the crime.

 

Nonmonetary Bail – This type of bail includes certain conditions in addition to a specific sum of money, such as travel and social restrictions.

 

ROR – ROR or Release on Recognizance is a type of bail where no money is necessary and the defendant is released from jail after signing a written statement that they will appear in court at the specified date.

 

Unsecured Bail Bond – For this type of bond also, no upfront payment is necessary. The defendant has to sign a document agreeing that he or she will pay a certain amount if they do not show up for their court date.

 

Nominal Bail – No amount of cash needs to be deposited in this type of bail. However, the presence of an individual like a bail bondsman is required to guarantee your appearance in court.

 

In all types of bail, the defendant has to meet the conditions of bail and refrain from all kinds of criminal activity. In some cases, the defendant may be asked not to leave town.

 

Will you be required to give collateral?

 

In some cases, the defendant is required to pledge collateral. This is necessary to ensure the defendants appearance in court. Collateral serves to secure the entire amount of the bond and can be in any form equal to or more than the amount of the bond such as houses, land, cars, cash, credit cards or jewelry. Like the bond, the defendant gets the collateral back when he or she appears in court.

 

How is the defendant released?

 

Once the bail bond is posted, the release process starts. Depending on the size of the jail, the release can take anywhere between 5 minutes to 12 hours. The process is faster for smaller city jails and can take several hours in case of a large county jail.