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4 Bail Bond Myths Created by Movies

Movies are often unrealistic. No surprise, right? Usually, we can tell when something in a movie is overdramatic or done incorrectly, but when it comes to relatively unfamiliar topics, we often learn incorrect facts from movies, never realizing they are false. Well, here are 4 bail bond assumptions we make from movies that are actually myths:  

Myth #1: Bail is Only Set by the Judge 

Movies love drama, and one of the easiest ways to add drama to the courthouse is to have the judge announce an astronomically high bail amount, thus eliciting gasps from the people in the courtroom. However, this is not how it works in real life. The judge is not all-powerful, able to shoot off any number they want as bail. There are guidelines and standards that the judge looks to in order to fairly set bail, according to the severity and nature of the crime committed. In other words, the bail amount is essentially set by the crime itself, in combination with the judge’s…well, judgment.  

Myth #2: It is Common for Bail to Get Denied  

That shocking and depressing movie moment when the character finds out they have been denied bail makes for an interesting twist in the story, but it is quite unrealistic. It is rare for a person to be denied bail. Typically, the only time it happens is when the person is considered a flight risk, which is usually determined on account of him/her skipping bail in the past.  

Myth #3: You Only Get One Phone Call 

You just got arrested. You may call one person. Only one. Who do you choose? Pretty intense, right? This tension and pressure makes for a dramatic scene in a movie, but fortunately, it is not very realistic. When a person gets arrested, they are not limited to one phone call. They may make as many calls as needed, as long as the party on the other side pays the collect call charges.  

Myth #4: Bail = Complete Freedom 

For the sake of the plot, many movies will show a person bail out of jail and then immediately return to their ultra-interesting, action-packed life. That is not realistic. If a person is let out on bail, their case is far from over. They cannot go back to their normal life and forget about their near-future court hearings. Skipping a court hearing after securing bail is one of the biggest mistakes an accused person can make!  

We hope you’ve gained a bit more bail wisdom after reading about these four movie myths. If you or a loved one is in need of bail services or has questions regarding the bail process, give Alabama Bail Bonds a call today. 

When you or your loved one winds up in jail, your first call should be to Alabama Bail Bonds. We understand how stressful it can be trying to navigate the bail bonds process. Count on a licensed bail bondsman to make the process as easy as possible for you. 

Alabama Bail Bonds  

Reform, AL 

(205) 454-5018 

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If You Get Arrested, a Bail Bondsman Says to Remember These 5 Tips

We sincerely hope you do not ever need to use these tips, but mistakes happen. Whether you are innocent or guilty, the experience of getting arrested can be very overwhelming. However, it is important that you keep your mind intact and remember these 5 tips, suggested by a bail bondsman in Pickens County, AL: 

  1. Remain Silent: “You have the right to remain silent” is a very real and very important right that you have. It is not just a theatrical line from a movie. When you get arrested, do not answer questions regarding what happened or offer any explanations, even if you are innocent. This will only create words to be used against you later on. 
  1. Request an Attorney ASAP: At the first chance you get, request an attorney. The law enforcement officer is supposed to cease asking you questions once you have asked for an attorney. Therefore, making this request helps protect your right to remain silent.  
  1. Don’t Fight Your Arrest: If you are truly innocent, getting arrested can be shocking and frustrating. However, you must remain cooperative to experience a smooth process. Your innocence will be discovered sooner if you stay calm. If you are guilty, getting angry or resisting will only make it worse for you. No matter what, your best chance is to not resist arrest. 
  1. Record Everything ASAP: Write everything down regarding what happened as soon as you can. Take pictures of the scene and your injuries, and then write down exactly what happened in detail. In addition, you should write down the names and vehicle numbers of police officers involved, as well as record the contact information of any witnesses.  
  1. Follow the Terms of Your Bond: If you get let out of jail on a bond, it is vital that you do not act against the terms of the bond. This will only send you right back to jail and make the situation much worse for you. 

It never hurts to be prepared for the unexpected! If you ever find yourself under arrest, try your best to remain calm and remember these 5 tips. 

Tips for Christmas When Your Loved One is Incarcerated, Shared by a Bail Bondsman


One of the reasons why so many wonderful, cozy memories are created around Christmastime is that it is spent with family and loved ones. Unfortunately, the family aspect of the holidays can be a sore spot for some individuals. For example, when a person has a loved one who is in jail, the holidays can be difficult to get through. If you are in this situation, a great way to cope with your loved one being in jail during Christmas is to do everything you can to make sure their day is special too! To help you get started, a bail bondsman has suggested 3 Christmas ideas for a loved one in jail. 


 1. Plan Your Visits in Advance 

Of course, visiting your incarcerated loved one around Christmastime is a given. However, keep in mind that it may be a little trickier to visit during the holidays, due to the increased number of staff members who take time off. You should plan your visits in advance, as well as consider visiting earlier in the month.  

2. Send Them Extra Money

 Yes, we know. Gift cards and cash are known as taking the easy way out when it comes to Christmas gifts. However, for an incarcerated individual, this is not the case. Your loved one would appreciate having some extra funds for making calls or to put into their Christmas Bag. Depending on their location, they may or may not have a Christmas Bag, but if they do, they will appreciate the extra money to purchase special holiday treats!

3. Children’s Artwork 

Mail is always a great option for a loved one in jail because you can make it very personal. For example, if your loved one has children or nieces and nephews that he/she is close to, you can have the children draw pictures or color in a coloring book. Then, you can send the artwork to your loved one. Seeing children grow up is something that they are not able to take part in while in jail, so your loved one will be delighted to see their artwork!  

The bottom line is that you want your loved ones to know they are not forgotten. As a local bail bonds company points out, we may feel like these things are very simple and plain, but they can mean the world to an incarcerated individual! 

When you or your loved one winds up in jail, your first call should be to Alabama Bail Bonds. We understand how stressful it can be trying to navigate the bail bonds process. Count on a licensed bail bondsman to make the process as easy as possible for you. 

Alabama Bail Bonds  

Reform, AL  

(205) 454-5018  

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How Does the Judge Set a Bail Amount?

When the bail amount for a case is a million dollars, people tend to assume that the crime was nearly as severe as murder. This is often true, but not always. There are many different factors that a judge considers when setting the bail amount for a defendant. Here are 3 of the most significant factors: 

  1. How much evidence is stacked against the defendant? 

One of the first things the judge will do is decide whether they think the defendant will be proven guilty at the conclusion of the coming trial. If so, the judge will likely raise bail to discourage the defendant from running and skipping their court date.  

Let’s look at it reversed: if the defendant were truly innocent, why would they skip court? There would be no reason to do so. Therefore, the judge would not need to encourage the defendant to appear by raising the bail amount.  

  1. What does the criminal history of the defendant look like? 

The defendant’s criminal history is important for the judge to peruse before deciding on the bail amount. If the defendant has committed dangerous, violent crimes in the past, the judge will likely raise their bail amount. This will not only discourage the defendant from bailing out in the first place, but it will also discourage them from skipping court if they do get bailed out. 

  1. How severe was the crime?  

Last but not least, the more severe the crime, the higher the bail amount will be. The bail amount for a major robbery will be more than the bail amount for vandalism. 

When a person is in need of bail, oftentimes, working with a bail bondsman is the optimal plan of action. The defendant or the defendant’s loved ones will still have to pay a portion of the bail amount, but fortunately, the bondsman will carry most of the load.  

When you or your loved one winds up in jail, your first call should be to Alabama Bail Bonds. We understand how stressful it can be trying to navigate the bail bonds process. Count on a licensed bail bondsman to make the process as easy as possible for you. 

Alabama Bail Bonds  

Reform, AL  

(205) 454-5018  

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5 Pieces of Advice Before You Co-Sign a Bail Bond

If you ever find yourself having to come up with a solution after a loved one is put in jail, do not make any rash decisions. This is easier said than done because the stress of the situation is bound to fight its way in. However, carefully thinking through all your options will produce the best results. Depending on your situation, co-signing a bail bond could be the optimal solution. If so, keep these 5 things in mind before signing: 

  1. You are vouching for the defendant, promising they will appear in court. 

If you co-sign a bail bond, but the defendant fails to appear in court, you will find yourself in a messy predicament. If you believe there is any chance that the defendant will turn out to be a no-show on their court date, you should probably consider alternative options.  

  1. You must pay for the bondsman services. 

Co-signing a bail bond deems you responsible for paying the bondsman fees. The size of this bill will vary depending on the specific situation.   

  1. You can set conditions regarding the defendant’s release. 

If you want to co-sign a bail bond for somebody but are concerned that they may fail to appear in court, there may be a way to lessen this concern. For example, if the reason you are concerned is that you know the defendant struggles with an alcohol problem that often causes him/her to act irresponsibly, you can set a “condition” for their release. In this situation, the condition could be that the defendant will be sent to a substance abuse treatment program immediately following his/her release.  

  1. The release will happen.  

You may have read that and thought, “well, obviously.” The release is the whole goal of a bail bond, right? However, the reason this was put on the list is that even though you want to create the best scenario for your loved one, that does not always mean you lack concern regarding their release. It is best to discuss these concerns with your bail bondsman.  

  1. If you so desire, you may send the defendant back to jail. 

Going back to the previous example of the defendant with an alcohol problem– perhaps after you have co-signed the bail bond and the defendant is freed from jail, things take a turn for the worse. You begin to have deep concerns regarding the likelihood of the defendant making it to the court appearance. If this is the case, as the co-signer, you have the right to send the defendant back to jail. This is a hard decision, but it can save everyone from much trouble down the road. 

Having to consider co-signing a bail bond can be a stressful time. However, we hope that amid the non-optimal situation, you will experience optimal results!  

When you or your loved one winds up in jail, your first call should be to Alabama Bail Bonds. We understand how stressful it can be trying to navigate the bail bonds process. Count on a licensed bail bondsman to make the process as easy as possible for you. 

Alabama Bail Bonds  

Reform, AL  

(205) 454-5018  

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Bail Bonds Agent in Reform, AL Discusses 3 Things a Person Should Do While Out on Bail

While you’re out on bail, you don’t have to stop living your life– in fact, you shouldn’t. However, there are a few things to keep in mind while going about your days, waiting for your trial. An expert bail bonds agent in Reform, AL has laid out a few of these tips for you: 

  1. Dishonestly Will Make Everything Worse 

We cannot stress enough that you need to remain honest with your attorney in every aspect. Your attorney is on your side. Their job is to make the best case they possibly can for your situation. If you are not honest with them about every detail of your case, as well as your current situation, then they cannot do their job to the best of their ability.  

  1. Whatever You Do, Do Not Get into Trouble Again 

Getting into trouble for a second time after being let out on bail is the last thing you want to happen. Therefore, staying away from anything that could lead you down the wrong path is a must. This includes spending time with bad company and risky substances, such as drugs and alcohol. Even if you use these substances legally and supposedly carefully, it is inevitable that they will influence your mind to some degree, causing you to make poor choices. If you do happen to get into trouble again, your judge will likely look less favorably on your first case, and you are not likely to be offered release on bail for a second time.  

  1. Talk Before Travel 

You may or may not be allowed to travel certain distances after you bail out of jail in Reform, AL. It depends on your specific situation. That is why it is important that you speak with your bail bondsman before making any travel decisions. If you fail to do this, not only might you end up doing something you shouldn’t, but you may also appear sneaky, which causes distrust between you and your bondsman. 

One great thing to do while out on bail is to spend time with loved ones. This will keep your spirits high, as well as lower stress levels within your family. Waiting for trial is a difficult time, but isolation is never the answer! 

When you or your loved one winds up in jail, your first call should be to Alabama Bail Bonds. We understand how stressful it can be trying to navigate the bail bonds process. Count on a licensed bail bondsman to make the process as easy as possible for you. 

Alabama Bail Bonds  

Reform, AL  

(205) 454-5018  

https://alabailbonds.com/

Reform, AL Bail Bonds Service Provider Explains the Aftermath of an Out-of-State Arrest

Many people understand the basic process that occurs after an arrest…But let’s add another factor into the mix. What happens when one gets arrested in a different state? Well, the geographical distance does bring challenges, but nothing that can’t be dealt with. A provider of bail bonds service in Reform, AL, has laid out four things to keep in mind regarding the out-of-state arrest. 
 
Securing Bail 
 
When you get arrested in a different state, securing bail probably won’t be more of a task than it would be if you had gotten arrested close to home. There are many bail bondsmen who are willing to extend their services across the country. Receiving bail money is not the main concern when facing an arrest away from home.  

Should You Leave the State? 

Simply fleeing the state you were arrested in is not a wise solution. It will simply end in a worsened situation. Say you are arrested and get out on bail in Reform, AL, but then you immediately flee to Florida after that. Since all US states work together to enforce the law, this won’t do you any good because Alabama will request your extradition from Florida. The extradition will likely result in additional legal fees and charges. 
 
Court Appearances  
 
Many people wonder whether or not you can move your court appearances closer to home if you were arrested outside of your state. Most likely, the answer is no. The court appearances will take place in the state where the crime was committed. This, of course, poses added complications, but even so, showing up to court requires much less sacrifice in the long run than dealing with the consequences of skipping out.   
 
The Degree of the Crime  
 
Some may wonder whether or not the degree of your arrest-causing crime affects the process of court appearances. There are two general categories of crime – misdemeanor and felony. Less severe crimes are considered misdemeanors, whereas more serious crimes are classified as felonies. As mentioned before, when you are arrested out of state, you cannot change the location of your court appearances to your home state. However, if you are arrested and released on bail for a crime classified as a misdemeanor, you will likely be given the option to let a local attorney appear in court for you as your substitute. 

When you or your loved one winds up in jail, your first call should be to Alabama Bail Bonds. We understand how stressful it can be trying to navigate the bail bonds process. Count on a licensed bail bondsman to make the process as easy as possible for you. 

Alabama Bail Bonds                          

(205) 454-5018   

Reform, AL     

https://alabailbonds.com/

A Bail Bond Company in Reform, AL Explains What Happens to Kids with Parents in the System

Being arrested and put in jail can be a scary thought for anyone, but especially for adults with younger children. You might be worried about who will take care of your children while you are gone and how quickly you will be able to get out of jail to take care of your children. This can be especially scary if you are arrested on a weekend and will not be able to appear before a judge until Monday. If you are a parent, here are some tips on how you can protect your children while in jail, from a bail bondsman in Reform, AL. 

If you happen to be arrested in the presence of your children, your child will not be arrested too. The officer typically will allow you to call someone to come to get the child from the site of the arrest. Not all officers are this polite, so sometimes they will call for a Child Protective Services agent to come to pick up the children from the site.  

If you happen to be arrested while your children were somewhere else, the first thing you need to do after being booked is contact someone who can pick your children up or stay with the children until you are allowed out. Making a phone call is not a right, so you need to be sure that you are being entirely polite and on your best behavior. If the officer does not allow you to call anyone or if you cannot get ahold of anyone, the children will then be placed into CPS’ care until you are out or until they can contact someone related to come to get the children.  

If you need more information on what to do if you are arrested with kids, make sure to contact a local bail bond company in Reform, AL. 

When you or your loved one winds up in jail, your first call should be to Alabama Bail Bonds. We understand how stressful it can be trying to navigate the bail bonds process. Count on a licensed bail bondsman to make the process as easy as possible for you. 

Turn to Alabama Bail Bonds for: 

24/7 bail bonds services 

Student bonds services 

Payment arrangements 

Misdemeanor bail bonds services 

Felony bail bonds services 

Contact us right away to get your loved one out of jail ASAP. 

Alabama Bail Bonds –  Pickens, Fayette, & Lamar County (205) 828-0145 https://alabailbonds.com/pickens-fayette-lamar-counties/ 

Bail Bond Company in Reform, AL Discuss Traffic Citations That Can Need Bail Money

Whenever you think of bail money you may just be thinking of somebody that has committed a horrendous crime and is needing to go to trial. However, there can be many reasons such as specific traffic violations that can have you end up in jail and you are required to post bail. Bond agents in Reform, AL at Alabama Bail Bonds can help you regardless of what situation you are in. Here are some types of traffic citations where bail is posted at times. 

One situation would be driving while intoxicated. Many people assume that if you are caught driving under the influence that it is the same as driving while intoxicated. These are two separate things. It is important to understand the difference. Being arrested for a DWI is when your breath alcohol concentration is .08 or higher. This can also occur if you are impaired regardless of your BAC. If you are stuck in jail for a DWI, you may need bail money.  

The biggest difference between a DWI and DUI is age. If you are under the age of 21, the legal age to consume alcohol, you can be arrested for DUI regardless of what your BAC is. In most cases, if you are a minor you are unlikely to spend time in jail for a DUI.  

If you are knowingly using someone else’s motor vehicle without their consent, you are committing a felony that can be punishable by jail time, therefore possibly needing to have bail posted. This is called stealing a vehicle. Reckless driving is another instance where you can require jail time and bail money. This is when you have a blatant disregard for the safety of other drivers on the road. 

For more information on bail and what offenses can require bail money and bail bond services in Reform, AL, make sure to contact Alabama Bail Bonds. 

When you or your loved one winds up in jail, your first call should be to Alabama Bail Bonds. We understand how stressful it can be trying to navigate the bail bonds process. Count on a licensed bail bondsman to make the process as easy as possible for you. 

Turn to Alabama Bail Bonds for: 

24/7 bail bonds services 

Student bonds services 

Payment arrangements 

Misdemeanor bail bonds services 

Felony bail bonds services 

Contact us right away to get your loved one out of jail ASAP. 

Alabama Bail Bonds – Pickens, Fayette, & Lamar County 

(205) 454-5018 

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A Leader in Bail Bonds in Reform, AL Explains Unknown Bail Bond Benefits

Being in jail is not a fun experience.  Anyone who is arrested normally tries to get out on bail. Getting a bail bond does not just impact you getting out of jail, it also will impact your entire life. However, there are some important benefits of using bail bonds that you may not know about. Bail bonds services in Reform, AL are there to explain these benefits and how they may be specifically beneficial to you. 

First, did you know that being in jail costs you money? You have to find a way to pay for your undergarments, socks, shirts, soap, hygiene products, and foods except for the bland few meals that you get from the cafeteria. You also have to find a way to pay for phone calls that come in collect; these typically are more expensive than regular cell phone calls. 

Jobs given in United States jails typically do not pay any more than $0.25 an hour. Employers also tend not to hold the positions for two or three months to hope that the inmate gets released. One common term of being on probation is having a steady job, so it is imperative that when you get released on bail bonds you immediately get a steady source of income.  

Jails can house anyone awaiting a trial. These can be inmates with a misdemeanor and those that have committed murders. The only inmates that do not wait in jail are those that get out on bail bonds. Each jail typically houses inmates with a variety of reasons they were arrested from DUI to murder.  

If you are in need of bail bonds in Reform, AL, make sure to contact Alabama Bail Bonds today for any bail bond needs. They are highly specialized in bail bonds services in the Alabama area.  

When you or your loved one winds up in jail, your first call should be to Alabama Bail Bonds. We understand how stressful it can be trying to navigate the bail bonds process. Count on a licensed bail bondsman to make the process as easy as possible for you. 

Turn to Alabama Bail Bonds for: 

24/7 bail bonds services 

Student bonds services 

Payment arrangements 

Misdemeanor bail bonds services 

Felony bail bonds services 

Contact us right away to get your loved one out of jail ASAP. 

Alabama Bail Bonds – Pickens, Fayette, & Lamar County 

(205) 454-5018 

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