Do you have a friend or family member who is in jail? These situations can be highly distressing and frustrating if you don’t know how the process works or how to bail someone out of jail. However, understanding the bail process and the timeline after an arrest can help you take control and help your loved one.
In this article, our experienced bail bondsmen at Connecticut Bail Bonds Group share how long it takes to get a release on bond. If you need a bail bondsman or have questions about the process, do not hesitate to contact us.
Release From Jail Process – Overview
Following an arrest, a person has to go through several steps before they can post bail and get out of jail. Immediately after the arrest, the police will take the defendant to the police station for the booking process.
Then, the defendant might need to wait up to 48 hours for the bail hearing, where a judge will determine eligibility for bail. Depending on the court’s ruling, the defendant might be able to post bail and get out of jail while they await trial.
There is a fixed bail amount for some crimes or misdemeanors, in which case the hearing doesn’t take place.
What Happens After the Arrest?
An arrest can occur on the strength of a warrant or at the crime scene if the police have probable cause to believe that a person committed a crime.
During the booking process, the police will gather personal information about the accused, including their name, date of birth, and address. Then, the police will charge the person with the crime, take their fingerprints and mugshot, and run a criminal history check. The defendant will receive the opportunity to make a phone call.
If the crime is minor or has a predetermined bail amount, the defendant might be able to post bail and leave the police station without appearing before a judge. However, if the crime is severe, the police might hold the defendant for further questioning or interrogation, which can last several hours. Then, the police will hold the defendant in a jail cell until they can appear before a judge.
Does the Defendant Need an Attorney?
When your loved one arrives at the police station for booking, they will get the opportunity to call a lawyer. If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, the state is obligated to provide one. Having an attorney present during questioning is critical to ensure that the defendant doesn’t make any incriminatory statements.
Even though your loved one doesn’t need a lawyer to seek bail, hiring one can speed up the process. The lawyer can also start working on your loved one’s defense as soon as possible.
Arraignment: The First Hearing
After the booking process, an accused person should appear before a judge for the bail hearing within 48 hours. During this hearing, the judge will determine the bail eligibility and amount by considering if the defendant:
- Has a criminal record
- Is a flight risk
- Poses a potential danger to themselves or others
In cases where accused persons committed heinous crimes or appear to be flight risks, the court will either deny bail or set a relatively high bail amount. After the court grants bail, the defendant can pay it and get out on bail while awaiting trial. Ideally, the defendant should have legal representation during this hearing.
In domestic violence cases, an accused person can get bail. However, these processes generally take longer because the court might need to consider the safety and well-being of other parties and issue restraining orders.
Can the Defendant Make Bail?
If your loved one cannot afford bail, they can either stay in jail until the trial takes place, get a loan, or ask a friend or family member to co-sign the bail bond.
The best option is to approach a bail bondsman, who works the same way as a bank’s loan agent. At Connecticut Bail Bonds Group, we can cover your bond and provide easy repayment plans. We will also help you navigate the bail bond process.
How Long Does It Take To Get Out of Jail on Bond?
No set period exists for your loved one’s release after posting bail. In most cases, defendants who posted bail wait one to 10 hours before they can get out of jail. The relatively long wait is often due to extensive paperwork. For example, the officer overseeing the release must check to ensure that they don’t release the defendant with a separate arrest warrant.
Generally speaking, the wait is relatively short in smaller jails that don’t have to deal with high processing volumes. On the other hand, if your loved one is in a busy jail where many people are going through the bail bond process, you can expect the wait to be relatively long after posting bail.
Once the court grants bail and the bail bondsman arranges for the bail posting, the wait before release is generally not as stressful as the booking process and 48 hours before the hearing.
Need Bail Bonds in Connecticut?
Defendants are often apprehensive about hiring a bail bondsman because they don’t want to pay excessive fees. However, at Connecticut Bail Bonds Group, we go the extra mile to ensure that your bail repayment is as affordable as possible. We often help our clients get released on bond within an hour after an arrest.
Our bail bond services are available for all felonies and misdemeanors, and we provide an advisory service to help you understand the bail bond process. Our other services include a lawyer referral solution and addiction recovery help.
To learn more about our services or to request a free initial consultation, complete our online form or contact us at (800) 522-4534.
