America has the largest prison population per capita in the entire world. Because of this, it’s no surprise that most people know someone who either is or at one time has been incarcerated in a jail or prison. Jail is used to punish misdemeanors, and incarceration in a county jail doesn’t exceed one year, however someone sent to prison is usually in for the long haul. 

Many friends and family members want to stay in contact with their incarcerated loved ones, but some may have difficulty bringing themselves to do so, or learning the mechanism and the manner in which they should reach out.

Why Write an Inmate?

Some people wonder why they should even try to stay in contact with someone who is imprisoned for a long period of time. The most important reason is the fact that it allows a close relationship to be maintained over a long period of time. Once a person is imprisoned, their human interaction may well be confined to authoritative officers and other inmates. This doesn’t always create the most enjoyable experiences, so having letters from loved ones is imperative.

For those who may be upset at their loved ones, it’s important to remember that such frustrations may well fade away over time. We’re always disappointed when the people we love make mistakes that land them in legal trouble, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t love them. Maintaining a written relationship will help a prisoner’s state of mind, and in reality, it goes a long way in healing the person left behind on the outside.

How to Write an Inmate

Different states have varied rules about letter writing to an inmate, but the process is pretty similar in most states. For a letter to be properly received it is usually necessary to have the prison’s name and address, the inmate’s name and that inmate’s Department of Correction’s number. For those who don’t already know this information, it is easily obtainable. In California, for instance, it’s as easy as calling the inmate locator at a specific institution, or contacting the Public Information Officer.

The aforementioned steps are used to locate inmate information in most states, but it is also important to have the right information when you call. It will make the process much easier to have as much information as possible – such as the inmate’s name, birth date and housing assignment – before contacting the official who will provide these details.

Sending Correspondence

When writing to an inmate, it’s important to remember that all correspondence given to prisoners goes through law enforcement’s hands first. Every letter, package or postcard that is sent to an inmate will be opened and inspected. It should also go without saying, but any type of contraband should never be sent.

Additionally, it’s important to note that any money orders sent to an inmate may not arrive “whole;” meaning the inmate may not receive all of the funds. After 2007 in California, for instance, 55 percent of all funds that an inmate receives began going toward the California Victims’ Restitution Fund.

It’s important to remember that those who are incarcerated for a crime are still human beings, though they have made some grievous errors in their life. It would be easy to just write someone off as a lost cause, but in reality, we psychologically need our loved ones just as much as they need us. Luckily, it’s not difficult to stay in contact with someone who is incarcerated. With very minimal research, we can stay in touch with those that we at one point chose to make important in our lives. 

Most people enjoy having a drink every so often, but whatever great feeling this leads to can dissipate quickly for a person arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Sadly, thousands of these arrests occur every single day, and most people aren’t even aware that they are over the .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) when they’re pulled over. If you should find yourself in this situation, however, it’s important for you to know the options available.

Penalties of Driving Under the Influence

The penalties of a DUI conviction can be extremely punitive. The consequences that a person faces, however, will differ depending on which state that they’re arrested in. Bail amounts can change by the city or county in which you are pulled over, but DUI penalties are uniform across an entire state. In California, for instance, a person arrested for their first DUI can face up to six months in jail and a $2,600 fine.

It’s important to keep in mind that these penalties will increase if a person has already been convicted of a DUI. The same California arrest will result in up to a year in jail for someone who has already received one prior DUI conviction. Fighting these penalties is essential, but a person first must get out of jail. Having an expert bail agent available from a reputable company like Bail Hotline can help to lessen your incarceration time, and get you back to your job and family so you can work on your defense.

Bail Amounts for Driving Under the Influence

Just like the corresponding penalties, the bail amounts can vary depending on the county in which you are arrested. When it comes to drinking and driving, however, many counties within a state will set their presumptive bail amounts (listed on each jail’s bail schedule) at a very similar amount. Within California, for instance, the counties of San Francisco, Sonoma and Los Angeles all set their DUI bail amount at $5,000.

There are times, however, when these amounts can increase for different localities, and even show huge variances. If a person is arrested for DUI and already has one drinking and driving conviction within ten years in Los Angeles County, for instance, they can face a bail amount of $15,000. The same person arrested in Sonoma on this charge, however, will face a $25,000 amount. Understandably, it can be hard to pay any of these amounts, which is why most defendants opt to contact an agency like Bail Hotline.

Paying Your Bail

A person arrested for DUI has a few choices to make on how their bail is paid. They can either pay the full amount, or submit property worth that amount, which is turned over to the court until the end of the trial; or they can find a bail bond agency to provide a security bond for their release. Using a bail bond agency is usually a better option for because they only charge a small percentage of the full bail amount – in California this number cannot exceed 10 percent.

Those who cover the bail amount on their own will have a large sum of money tied up throughout the trial. As mentioned, this money, or property, isn’t returned until the conclusion of the trial. Add this to the fact that if the court has control of these funds, they might be more likely to add miscellaneous expenses and fees which will be withheld from the total amount deposited.

Luckily, there aren’t many instances where a person will be denied bail for drinking and driving, and if they are, then another, much more serious crime, must have taken place. Knowing the issues related to bail is imperative, and this is especially true for those charged with a DUI. There are numerous possible defenses to this charge, even for those who failed a breathalyzer, so it’s imperative to get out of jail as quickly as possible to start building a strong case. 

Far too many people have felt the dread that comes along with knowing that their friend or relative has been arrested. It oftentimes seems as if we’re powerless to help them since they’re sitting in a jail cell under the county’s jurisdiction. Fortunately, there are ways that we can be of assistance to our friends or loved ones if they are sitting in jail; it just requires a bit of research.

Information About an Inmate Available

First of all, it’s important to get as much information as possible about someone who has been arrested. Luckily, much of the information that ends up being vital is available as public record. Once a person is booked into jail, their name and the crime that they’re charged with, along with the date that they were booked usually becomes available. In fact, in California, it’s even easy to find out a presumed bail amount.

All of these things are important if you want to help a person get out of jail more quickly. Whether the defendant has been arrested in southern, northern or central California, our website provides you with a direct connection to the county jail inmate search – or you can fill out an information form (to the right of this article) and, once submitted, Bail Hotline will contact you!

Are They Really in Jail?

There are some times when a person may not know whether their loved one is actually in jail or not – maybe they didn’t show up to a party, maybe they haven’t been answering their phone. Regardless of the reason which sparked your curiosity, you can find out if your friend or relative has been detained by calling the county jail. If, by some chance, your friend or family member is in custody, a jail employee should be able to provide the aforementioned pieces of vital information.

Visitation Concerns

Some of the other questions you may have will usually be answered differently, depending on the specific jail location. Here are just a few you might want to know:

1. What are the visitation hours?
2. How can I get a Property Release to pick up items from an inmate?
3. Can I supply money for them to use at a commissary?
4. What restrictions, if any, are placed on the visiting party?
5. Are children allowed to accompany me on my visit?
6. What kinds of identification are necessary if I am visiting someone in jail?

Inmate Questions

Unfortunately, some inmates will have to do a little legwork on their own. Luckily, the justice system requires that a person be allowed to make a phone call after being arrested. The rules related to these laws, however, can vary by state. In California, for instance, an arrested individual must be allowed to make at least three phone calls within three hours of their initial arrest – and can many times be made as soon as a person has been booked into jail if they are polite and cooperative.

California law states that the allowed phone calls may be to an attorney (or public defender), a bail bond agency or a relative or other person; this basically means that a defendant can call whomever they want. Many people make their first call to a bail bond agency since that will quickly get the ball rolling for them getting bailed out.

It’s disheartening to have a loved one sitting in county jail, but luckily, in most cases, it’s not necessary for them to stay there very long. America’s criminal justice system is set up in such a way that most accused individuals are able to secure release if they go through the proper channels. Whether these steps are completed by the defendant themselves or a loved one on the outside, it’s simply important that they be performed. 

Most people know that sinking feeling that visits their stomach when they see flashing blue lights in their rear-view mirror. Fortunately, in America, the majority of people arrested for a crime will be eligible for bail, but there are usually conditions that must be abided by for them to be released. Due to the seriousness of these conditions, it’s imperative for everyone to understand them.

What are Bail Conditions?

Bail conditions are exactly what their name implies: conditions of bail. The courts will usually grant bail, and many states – such as California – actually have bail bond schedules that allow a person to post a predetermined bail amount without even having to see a judge. As your local agent at Bail Hotline will tell you, whenever someone receives bail there are always conditions. One of these conditions is that you cannot be charged with more crimes, but in some cases further conditions may apply.

Anyone who watches crime dramas on television has likely seen a judge order a rich offender to surrender their passport as a condition of bail. This is an actual condition that can be imposed, and it’s meant to prevent the accused from fleeing the country. Another condition could be to stay away from a specific person or area.

Still another condition could be to refrain from drinking alcohol. Many of these conditions wouldn’t normally be constitutional to demand, but since bail is seen as a privilege, these conditions can be looked at merely as requests upon which a person’s bail is contingent.
Common Charges that Result in Bail Conditions

There are a variety of charges that can result in bail conditions that are more serious than the usual “don’t break the law again” condition. In cases of stalking or abuse, for instance, a defendant may be required to cease any contact with the alleged victim. In capital cases, a judge will likely require that a person not leave the local area or have contact with anyone involved in the case.

Other crimes, which some may look at as minor compared to the aforementioned, may cause a judge to impose a condition such as drinking alcohol when charged with a DUI. There are also many crimes, such as drug or juvenile offenses, that could require the accused to stay at a particular residence while awaiting trial. It’s important to note, however, that not all of these charges will automatically result in the stated conditions.

Seriousness of Bail Condition Violations

Violation of a condition of bail is a very serious matter, and it can easily result in harsh consequences. Most people who violate these conditions are rearrested and have to wait to see a judge before they can receive bail again – and the judge will not look kindly on the fact that they violated their original conditions.

Another serious repercussion is the fact that new charges may be filed related to the violation, and this can result in an even higher bail amount than the original. Violation of a bail condition, in many cases, will result in the forfeiture of the originally posted bail amount.

Bail conditions are not to be taken lightly. Though the criminal justice system is set up in a way that allows most accused people to wait for their trial outside of jail, the courts will have no problem rescinding this privilege if conditions are violated. Anyone out on bail should fully understand their conditions, or ask their bail bond agent to explain them. This will ensure the best possible outcome for all parties involved.

The United States criminal justice system is set up in such a way that those who are accused of a crime are afforded certain rights. This is necessary since the assumption of innocence is an inherent belief within the system. Bail is one of these rights, but it’s important to recognize that the right to bail isn’t necessarily granted to every individual. Understanding bail is essential to understanding the system as a whole.

What is Bail?

Bail is the deposit of either money or property, in order for a court to allow a person suspected of a crime to be released from jail. This deposit is given as collateral and as a guarantee that the person accused of the crime will show up to all of their court dates. If the suspect absconds or doesn’t attend all court dates, the deposit is usually forfeited. Most generally, a bail bond is secured through a bail agency such as family-owned and operated Bail Hotline, a California company.

The amount paid for a defendant’s bail is returned to the person who posted the money – after the conclusion of the trial. This is usually true regardless of the outcome of the trial. Bail can be paid in full to the court, or a bail bonds agency can sign off on the person’s release for a fee. These fees can vary, but in California it amounts to 10 percent of the total bail amount, and must be paid to the bondsman to secure a release.

The History of Bail in the United States

Before America gained its independence, its colonies used Britain’s long existing bail system. That system had laws, such as the Statute of Westminster, regulating bail that went back as far as the year 1275. Once America was freed from the British monarchy, states began passing their own laws relating to bail.

The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which outlaws excessive bail, was modeled after Virginia’s state constitution. The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution also requires that suspects be made aware of the crime that they’re charged with. This allows them to request bail if they’re arrested for a bailable offense. Further laws, such as the Bail Reform Act of 1966, allowed accused persons to be released on personal bonds or on their own recognizance.

Does Everyone get Bail?

Though the Eighth Amendment protects against excessive bail, there is no law that gives the absolute right to receive bail. Bail is meant to be an incentive for a person to return to court. If a judge believes that no amount of money can guarantee a suspect’s return, he or she has the right to remand the defendant to custody until the trial.

Reasons that a judge may believe a suspect’s return is unlikely could be based on the degree of severity of the crime, or the finality of its possible punishments. Additionally, if a judge believes that a suspect is a danger to themselves or others – if they were to be put back amongst the public citizenry – he or she will likely deny bail. Bail is all about risk, and if the risk seems too great a suspect may have to wait out their trial behind bars.

Bail is a way to ensure that people aren’t detained unnecessarily in jail while awaiting trial. Bail laws will vary by state, so anyone facing a trial should do a little research into their state’s specific laws. The majority of Americans are allowed to post bail, and if they can’t afford it, there are bail bond agencies that can assist. Between the bail system and bail bondsmen, there is no reason for any American not being held on severe charges to be confined to jail while awaiting trial.