Being arrested can be a frightening experience, and the inside of a jail cell is not a very comfortable place to be. The average person, however, has no idea what to do if arrested and placed in jail. This article will provide a brief explanation of the process of getting out of jail in Oklahoma. For more detailed information, consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney.
Posting Bail
Unless you have been arrested over the weekend, you will usually be brought before a judge within 24 hours of being arrested.
The judge will then set your bail, which is the amount of money you will be required to pay (post) as assurance that you will return to stand trial.
If you show up for trial, your money will be returned minus a small administration fee and any fines levied against you. If you do not show up for trial, you will forfeit the money you posted and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
The amount of bail the judge sets will be an amount the court believes is high enough to provide sufficient incentive for you to return for trial.
After this amount has been set, you will be allowed to pay this amount in cash (or a cash equivalent) to be released from jail, pending the outcome of your trial.
Obtaining a Bail Bond
If you don’t have the funds to post bail, you may hire a bail bondsman to secure your release in exchange for a non-refundable fee, which is usually 10% of your bail amount. The bondsman will then agree with the court to be responsible for your bail.
In order to obtain a bond, however, you may be required to pledge some form of collateral. If you do not return for trial, the bondsman will keep the collateral and employ the services of bounty hunters to locate you and bring you to stand trial.
Released On Your Own Recognizance
You may also have the opportunity to be released from jail on your own recognizance. Typically, this option is only available if your offense was minor in nature or the judge believes you are not a flight risk.
In this case, you may be able to get out of jail by simply promising to return for your trial. Usually, you will need to have no significant criminal record as well as have close family, work, or business relationships in the community in which you will be tried.
Getting Out of Jail in Oklahoma
In conclusion, your options for getting out of jail in Oklahoma are:
- Post bail;
- Hire a bondsman; or
- Be released on your own recognizance.
In any case, it would advantageous for you to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as you can. An attorney can petition the court for you to be released on your own recognizance or to reduce your bail. In addition, most criminal defense attorneys have relationships with reputable bondsmen to whom they can refer you, if necessary.
Low-cost Consultation With an Experienced Claremore Criminal Defense Attorney
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