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.