Bailing someone out of jail who has a history of untrustworthy behavior can create headaches. You're essentially agreeing to put up 10 percent of a bail bond that could be tens of thousands — or even hundreds of thousands — of dollars. If they fail to show, then you went to all that extra trouble for nothing.
Here are the basic steps: visit the county jail's website, use a third-party inmate search tool, contact the jail directly, or check online court records. Each method provides a path to find the bail amount and plan for a loved one's quick release.
Under the old law, a defendant is released or detained based on their ability to post bail. Under the new law, there is no bail. The New Jersey court looks at whether or not the defendant will appear in court, the community is safe, and whether the defendant will obstruct the criminal justice process.
Bail Bonds and Credit Scores It's a common misconception that co-signing for a bail bond will ruin your credit. In reality, a bail bond won't affect your credit score in any way. However, bail bond companies may conduct a credit check before allowing you to get a bail bond to make sure that you're a reliable co-signer.
The decision to post bail for someone should not be taken lightly. Financially, you risk losing the bail amount or collateral if the defendant fails to appear in court. Legally, the defendant's absence can lead to arrest warrants and additional charges, complicating their legal situation further.