How To Set Parameters Surrounding Bailing Family Out
Posted on: 4 March 2016
If you are the responsible person in the family, when someone goes to jail, there is a possibility that everyone will come knocking at your door. While helping family members is a good way to strengthen bonds, it is a good idea to set parameters around bailing someone out of jail. Typically when you sign someone's bond, you will be financially responsible if they violate the bond. Here are some things you need to talk over with your family members if they ask you to sign over the bond.
No repeat offenders
If you have a relative that is always in trouble, signing a bond for them can be a risky prospect. If your relatives ask you to sign a bond, make it clear that you will sign a bond once only for a person who had trouble. Risking your own financial livelihood in order to bond out family members can be a bad deal. If someone has been in trouble in the past and continues to re-offend, refuse to sign the bail bond. Since it is your money on the line, you have every right to use your personal judgment to say yes or no.
They must maintain employment
Signing a bail bond for someone who is gainfully employed will allow them to return to work as soon as possible. Someone who is employed will also have the ability to pay you back for the bond that you have posted for them. Make it clear that as a condition of you signing the bail bond to release them from jail, they must maintain employment. If they are employed they have an incentive to not get into further trouble. Employed persons are also easier to collect from if you have to go after them for violation of the bond.
They must check in with the family
One of the conditions of bail is often that the party has to contact the bail bond office on a regular basis. Make it a personal condition that your family member contacts you on a weekly basis as well. Keeping up with all that is happening in the case can give you some insight into what is going on and it can also offer your relative a sounding board in the event that they need someone to speak to personally. Though offering bail is a monetary issue, your relative may need personal support to make it through the bail period. Contact a local agency, like Alda Pauline's Bail Bonds, for more help.
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