Learning that your child is behind bars can be a confusing and frustrating experience, and you would want to do whatever you can to help him/her secure his/her freedom. These moments can heighten your emotions, and the need to act swiftly may cloud your judgment.

In the rush to help your child secure his/her freedom on bail, you can make an error that could have significant consequences on his/her case. If you receive the sad news that your child is under arrest, knowing what to do and what to avoid is vital to the outcome of his/her case.

If you are curious to know the possible mistakes parents make when bailing their child out of legal custody, you are in the right place. Below are ten common mistakes to avoid when bailing your child out of jail after an arrest:

  1. Panicking and Making Your Decisions in a Rush

Even though you may feel pressure to ensure your child is released quickly, you should take your time to think through your decisions. Any decision you make when bailing your child out of jail could affect how quickly your child is released and the amount the court will set as his/her bail.

While it can be challenging to stay calm when your loved one is in jail, you should try to stay calm and avoid making decisions that you could regret.

  1. Paying the Full Bail Amount

Deciding to post your child's cash bail in full is a serious financial decision that could have long-term repercussions, especially if his/her bail is high. While ensuring your child is out of legal custody is a priority, you should explore the potential impacts of the bail costs and explore other ways of posting bail, including working with a licensed bail bondsman.

A bail bondsman can help you secure your child's freedom without having to post his/her full cash bail upfront. In exchange for the bail bond services, the bail bondsman will require you, the parent or cosigner, to pay a nonrefundable premium, typically around ten percent of the bail amount. With the legal assistance of your attorney, you can also explore non-monetary ways of helping him/her secure his/her freedom.

For example, the court could grant him/her an Own Recognizance release if the alleged offense is non-serious and he/she is not a flight risk or a threat to the public.

  1. Making Long-Distance Travel to Bail Your Child Out of Jail

Receiving information that your child is under arrest at a location far from your residence can be devastating and nerve-wracking, but you do not have to worry. Before you embark on the long journey, you should ask yourself whether your child's legal and bail needs are resolvable without your presence.

For example, you can secure online bail bond services, and the bail bondsman will handle the rest to ensure he/she is out of legal custody without delay. In addition to expediting your child's release process, online bail bonds save you the cost of traveling to meet with your bail bondsman.

  1. Failing to Maintain Proper Communication With Your Child

When your child is under arrest, emotions could run high, affecting your communication with him/her. Instead of worrying about what the alleged case could turn into, you should maintain open communication with him/her while encouraging him/her.

Ensure you inform him/her what your plans are and the bail bondsman's expectations after securing his/her release from jail. For example, the bail bondsman expects your child to return for all the court-scheduled appearances. A lack of open communication when bailing and after bailing your child out of jail can lead to missed court dates, which can result in additional legal complications.

  1. Delaying Your Child’s Bail

When your child is under arrest, procrastinating to help him/her secure a pretrial release is not a wise idea. In addition to affecting his/her freedom, being stuck in jail for a prolonged period could:

  • Affect your child's mental wellness and cause emotional distress

  • Limit his/her access to thorough legal representation and advice

  • Expose your child to social stigma and negative judgment by the community

  1. Hiring the First Bail Bondsman You Will Find Without Exhausting Your Options

While time is of the essence when your loved one is behind bars, you should take ample time when choosing a bail bondsman. Like any other industry, the bail bond industry has shady bail bondsmen who would take advantage of your child's situation without a second thought to earn undeserved income. To lessen your options when finding a reliable bail bondsman, you should check whether he/she is:

  • Licensed and accredited

  • Experienced and reputable

  • Available and accessible

  1. Agreeing to Undesirable Bail Bond Conditions

Before you sign the bail bond agreement when helping your child secure a release from jail on bond, you should read its contents to understand what it entails. If you notice the bail bond agreement has unfavorable conditions, like unrealistic premium payment plans, you should take that as a red flag and look for a different bail bondsman.

  1. Failing to Set Strict Expectations with the Child

Once your loved one is out of jail, you should set strict expectations that you would like him/her to meet, including obeying all the court orders. Ensure you remind your child of the importance of complying with all the court-set terms of pretrial release on bond, including:

  • Refraining from alcohol and drugs

  • Staying away from certain people

  • Meeting with the bail officers regularly

  • Attending all the scheduled court dates

  1. Failing to Understand Your Cosigner Agreement With the Bail Bondsman

Being a cosigner in a bail bond agreement following the arrest of a loved one is a wise move. However, it comes with specific responsibilities that you ought to understand before you put your signature on it. For example, when he/she fails to make the court appearance, the court will expect you to settle his/her full bail. Before you sign a bail bond agreement with the bail bondsman, you should understand:

  • Conditions for the collateral offered

  • Your financial obligations

  • Your rights as the cosigner

  1. Failing to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

In addition to hiring a licensed bail bondsman, retaining the services of a criminal defense attorney when bailing your child out of jail is paramount. A reliable attorney can help prepare compelling arguments to convince the court that your child is an excellent candidate to post bail.

Find a Reputable Bail Bondsman Near Me

An arrest could happen to anyone at any time, including your child. When you learn that your child is under arrest for an alleged offense, taking proactive steps can help ensure he/she is out of jail as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many emotions and thoughts that usually run through your mind at that time could lead to costly errors that could slow the bail process or impact his/her case outcome.

If your child needs quick bail bond services, our bail bondsmen at Express Bail Bonds can help ensure he/she is out of the detention facility quickly. We invite you to call us at 702-633-2245 to schedule your initiation consultation with us, wherever you are in Las Vegas.