Do I Call a Bail Bondsman or a Lawyer First?

A bail bondsman and a lawyer play two separate roles when it comes to assisting defendants in a criminal case. After your loved one is arrested, or after finding out that you have a warrant out for your own arrest, you might be torn between calling a bail bond company first, or a criminal lawyer. Although both are important, one should come before the other.

Continue reading to learn the order of events that should take place after becoming aware of an arrest warrant, or after your friend or loved one is arrested and taken to jail.

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After the Arrest of Another

Let’s start with the arrest of a loved one, whether that be a relative, friend, partner, or spouse. If they are arrested, and you are appointed the duty of managing the situation, your first step is to learn more about their arrest. To do this, you would need to contact the local county jail they are being detained in, and ask the clerk for their information. They should be able to tell you the defendant’s charges, how much the bail has been set for, your options for posting bail, and the jail address and contact information.

However, if the person has just been arrested, it may take a few hours to get this information into the jail database. In this case, it is best to wait an hour or two, and then contact a local bail bond company in the county of the jail. If you are not keen on the particular county of arrest, still contact any local bail bondsman, and they should be able to find all the information you need to begin the bail process for your loved one.

Discovering a Warrant for Your Arrest

When it comes to learning of your own arrest warrant, your first step would be to contact a lawyer, rather than a bail bondsman. A criminal defense lawyer can prearrange a surrender that best accommodates a defendant and their respective families. Otherwise, surrendering to an arrest warrant alone can lead to a longer stint in county holding, and a wider range of inconveniences, such as missing work, losing wages, inability to pay bills, and more.

Where to Find Reputable Indianapolis Criminal Defense You Can Trust

Call the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with aggressive Indiana criminal defense lawyer who will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to build you a strong and impactful defense against your Indiana criminal charges.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514
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