Arrested In Raleigh? 5 Tips Unique to North Carolina About How to Post Bail
So, you got popped in North Carolina. The good news is you aren’t alone since more than 300,000 people get arrested each year in the Tar Heel state for violent or property-related crimes.
The bad news? You’ve got to figure out how to post bail now that you’re in jail. Bail is your “get out of jail” card, but notice we didn’t say free— it’s going to cost you in the form of a bond.
North Carolina has its own unique bail bonding laws that determine how much and in what way you can post bail for release. Want to know what your options are if you can afford to pay your bail? Check out this article to learn the answer to that question and many more.
How to Post Bail: Five Things You Need to Know
The General Statute of North Carolina lists your legal bond rights in Chapter 58, Article 71. This chapter defines the bail bond rules a court must follow, the definition of a bail bondsman under NC law, and much more.
Here are the top five things you need to know about North Carolina bail bond laws.
1. What Is Bail?
Bail is a pre-determined amount of money that you must pay to get out of jail after being arrested. A judge determines this amount in your pre-trial hearing.
2. How Judges Determine Bail Amounts
After you’re arrested and processed, the judge assesses how likely you are to skip out on your criminal court hearing, which won’t be for a few months. That means if you’re a first-time or non-violent offender, you may get off without having to pay bail at all.
3. Pick One Of The Different Types Of Bail Bonds
Once the judge sets your bail amount, you can pay in cash, with a surety, or using a property bond. With a cash bond, you must pay the entire bail amount upfront. A property bond in NC requires you to surrender your home mortgage in place of the bail.
There are other types of bonds, but the one you want is a surety bond, which allows you to pay 15 percent of the court-appointed bail to a licensed bondsman.
4. Choose A Licensed Bondsman
Just anyone can’t serve as your bondsman in North Carolina. To get a license, bondsmen must:
- Reside in North Carolina
- Get a background check
- Pay a licensing fee
Once you’ve chosen your licensed bondsman, you can contact him or her directly from jail for a surety bond.
5. What Happens If You Don’t Show Up For Court After Making Bail?
One other thing about posting bail: once your bail is posted, you’ll have to sign a document saying you won’t flee before your trial. If you do flee, NC law says the bail bondsman can send a “runner” to track you down. Then, you’ll be forced to give up the full bail amount.
Need A Bail Bondsman In Wake Country, North Carolina?
Now that you know how to post bail, are you looking for a bondsman who can help you out? Absolute Bail Bonding is the service you need. Get in touch with one of our reliable professionals to find out your bail bond options.
