Law & Government

Have you ever gotten a phone call from a family member or friend asking you to bail them out of jail? That dreaded call can send many people into a panic because they have no idea what to do. Read on to learn more about what you should do if you get this type of call. 

Gather the Facts

If you are not familiar with how to bail someone out of jail West Chester PA, the first thing you need to do is get some essential information from the person on the other end of the line.  You need to find out where they are calling you from and the bail amount. In some cases, common crimes have a fee schedule that allows you to pay a predetermined amount without your family member needing to wait for a judge to set bail. If this is the case, find out what that amount is and be prepared to pay it. Otherwise, you need to wait for a bail hearing or arraignment to determine how much the bail costs. 

Visit a Bondsman

If the amount of bail is too expensive, you have the option of contacting a bail bond company. These professionals can determine what your options are for getting your loved one out of jail. They can also help you pay the bail by providing a type of loan called a bond. You offer up collateral, such as your vehicle or house, that covers the bail amount, and you must pay a premium of ten percent. Then the bond pays the remaining 90% of the bail.

Release

With the bail paid, it can take a few hours for your loved one to be released. After they are out, they must return to court at the designated time. If you have provided collateral for a bond, you can lose that property if your family member doesn’t go to court. 

While there are required courses to become a notary, few states offer practical advice on delivering a notary signature. If you’ve recently finished your education and have a thorough understanding of the law, but not how to sign, handle the signature process in real-life situations. Here are the basic steps you need to follow to complete a notarization. 

Set Up an In-Person Visit

In most locations, the Secretary of State sets regulations that require the singer to appear before you in person. This is because having them appear in person protects you, the signer, and anyone else relying on you from potential fraud cases and liability. Plus, it gives you access to the materials you need to complete the rest of the steps. 

Read the Document

Your first step should always be to read the document and look for the type of notarization required, required document elements, blank spaces, the date, and the signer’s name. Note, this doesn’t mean you should read the document and memorize all the details. Instead, skim it to gather any necessary information. 

Identify the Signer

Identifying who is signing the document is the most crucial step. There are three primary methods that you can use to identify someone including, your personal knowledge, photographic identification, and credible witnesses. It is important to remember that this step is required no matter who is signing the document or what type of notarization they require. 

Record the Occurrence

To meet state regulations, you will need to keep a journal log of all your notarizations. Aside from meeting regulations, this can help you defend yourself if anything about this occurrence is questioned later. Note, it is good to do this before signing a document because it allows you to collect any information you need with ease. 

Complete the Signature

If the document contains instructions on the type of notarization required, perform the task. While you do this, ensure the details you need are correct. For instance, the correct location is the place where you notarized the document. Otherwise, ask the client which one is required and describe the various types to ensure they get what they need. If neither of you can identify what type is required, have them contact an attorney and return at a later time. 

If you’ve come out of the training to become a notary and still feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. Following these steps will help you get on the right track with your new business. 

There are many reasons a person might need the representation of a legal professional. While some of these scenarios might not be ideal, a lawyer or team of attorneys can often provide the guidance and advice necessary to navigate the situation with poise and precision. The following questions will lay out exactly what process anyone in this position can take in order to find the best path forward.

What Is the Issue?

Since every case is different, it is vital for each individual to find a path that will pursue precisely what needs to be handled within the scope of the issue at hand. For example, someone in need of a personal injury attorney Houston TX will want to find a team of experts with the right balance of expertise and service to handle the job. 

Who Is Available?

Once the scope of the problem has been clarified, the actual search will begin. Think about the law firms in the area and begin by searching online to find some helpful reviews from previous clients. From there, it might be helpful to turn to trusted family members, friends, or colleagues who would be able to provide their own personal advice and recommendations. Finally, reach out to a few of the top contenders in an effort to determine which group of legal experts appears to be best suited to provide the best assistance for the best price.

Where Should You Turn?

After the search is over, the time will come to consult with the chosen lawyers and formulate a plan of attack. This could mean court appearances, mediation, or any number of variables depending on the type of case being pursued. At the end of the day, however, the most important task will be to trust the expert opinions and guidance being provided by the legal team. Be upfront and honest about all aspects of the situation and rely on the trusted counsel of those tasked with handling the important details behind the scenes. 
Handling situations through an attorney is a serious issue in almost all cases, but these professionals are equipped to make quick work of even the most daunting problems. Through frank discussions with a team of attorneys, it is much easier to restore a sense of peace and calm to what was once a tumultuous situation. Fortunately, determining an answer to the three questions above will be a good place to start.