After an arrest, you have two options if the judge sets bail: you can pay the bail and get out of jail, or you can stay in jail until your trial. In most cases, it’s best to pay the bail. Here are the top five reasons why.
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You Can See Your Family and Make Arrangements
If you’re afraid that you will be found guilty and sentenced to jail time, you may want to get a pretrial release so that you can see your family. During this time, you can also make arrangements for your children, your home, your pets or anything else that needs to be taken care of in your absence. All of that can be almost impossible to handle from a jail cell.
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You Can Start to Make Restitution
That said, even if you are guilty, there is no guarantee that you will face jail time. There is no way to predict how the judge will sentence you. If you post bail and get released, you can start to work on restitution. For instance, if you have been charged with a DUI, you may want to enroll in Alcoholics Anonymous. If you have been charged with shoplifting, you may want to repay the store and issue an apology. In some cases, taking steps like that can help get your sentence reduced or even eliminated.
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You Will Look Better for Your Trial
Jurors aren’t really supposed to take your looks into account when hearing your case, but they are only human. As a result, they may make subconscious (or even conscious) judgments based solely on your looks. If you’ve been sleeping in a jail cell for a few days or weeks, you may look worn out, bedraggled and, worst of all, guilty. In contrast, if you paid bail so that you could get a pretrial release, you can show up for your court date looking well rested, clean and nicely dressed. That’s all much harder to manage if you’ve been staying in jail.
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You Lower the Risk of Accidentally Making Incriminating Statements
Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, being accused of a crime can be a scary and stressful situation. You may want to vent about the charges or talk to others about what’s happening. If you are out of jail, you can easily talk with your friends or family members. On the other hand, if you are in jail on your own, you may start to talk with other people who have been arrested or even with the jailers. Those conversations are not confidential, and if you accidentally make incriminating statements, it could negatively affect your case.
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You Can Communicate With Your Lawyer More Easily
If you stay in jail until your trial, you are legally allowed to meet with your lawyer there. However, jail generally isn’t the most comfortable or the most productive place to meet with your lawyer. Depending on the jail, you may even be forced to have conversations through glass. On the contrary, if you are out of jail, you can meet with your lawyer in the comfort of your own home or in their office, which makes it much easier to focus and prepare for your trial. Ready to post bail? Want to help a loved one post bail? Then contact us at Lightning Bail today. We are available 24/7,
