When you receive a phone call that a family member or friend has been arrested, it is normal that you might not know what to do next. In most cases, you want to get them out of jail as soon as possible, though how do you go about doing so? Where do you pay bail? How does the process work? It is important to call a Calgary criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible – both so we can answer your questions about bail and begin to help your loved one who is facing a possible criminal case.

What Does it Mean to “Bail Someone Out of Jail”?

When a person gets arrested, they might be required to pay bail in order to be released. Bail serves as a guarantee that if the police let the person go, they will show up to their required court date and will not flee. Whether someone needs to pay bail – and how much – will depend on different factors, including:

• The severity of the criminal allegations
• Whether the person might be a danger to the community
• The chances the person might fail to appear in court
• Previous criminal records

If someone has bail set, it can be difficult to arrange payment on their own from inside the jail. For this reason, friends or family members often have to bail an arrestee out. Once you find out how much bail will be, you can make a payment at the bail hearing office in any courthouse in Alberta. For instance, if you are in Edmonton and your loved one is arrested in Calgary, you can post their bail from the courthouse in Edmonton. You can also pay bail at a Remand Centre, though those are generally not available for payments around the clock. If someone gets arrested in the middle of the night, you will need to pay bail at a bail hearing office, which is often open 24 hours a day in major areas like Calgary.

What Information Do You Need?

If you believe a loved one has been arrested, you should keep your phone close and stay accessible, as they might call at any time. If you miss their call, you might not know when they will have a chance to call again. If you do receive a call, ask for the following information, and take careful notes:

• Which police service arrested them
• Where they are being held
• The name of the officer in charge of their file
• What crime they are suspected of committing
• The best number to call them back

You can then call a trusted criminal defence lawyer and provide them with this information.

How Can a Lawyer Help with the Bail Process?

While you can go and post bail for your loved one on your own, you will not get your money back if they fail to appear in court. You also might pay more than you should, as bail can sometimes be set at an excessive amount. It is always wise to contact a criminal defence lawyer who can help in this situation. A lawyer can negotiate with the Crown to try to get your loved one released on their own recognizance, which requires no up-front payment for release. A lawyer can also represent a defendant at a Court bail hearing to have the bail reduced or eliminated. In the meantime, the right lawyer can begin working on the defence of your loved one against their criminal charges.

Call Us to Arrange a Free Consultation

To speak with Cory Wilson and arrange a free, no obligation consultation, call 403-978-6052 or email us here.