As you wonder about what will happen with a loved one who was taken to jail for a DUI, one of the big questions that will come up is whether they will need to come up with funds for bail. As a close relative, you might be called on to help provide those funds. So, here is some information about how bail works in a DUI case.
Bail or Own Recognizance
Will your loved one have to pay bail? The answer isn't always clear cut. In many cases, people arrested for a DUI are let out of jail on their own recognizance, which means they don't need to pay a bail and they are let go until the trial date. This outcome is more likely if the offense is a first time criminal offense. In cases where a blood alcohol content test came back on the fence, such as just above .08%, it's also less likely that there will be a heft bail amount involved. However, if the person has had multiple arrests, had a very high BAC, or caused an accident under the influence, a bail is more likely.
Aside from the conditions of the incident, there are a couple of others that determine whether a bail is needed. One of those is the area; each jurisdiction sets its own rules for when a bail is needed. Another factor is the person's standings in the community; if they are well-entrenched in the community and have a job or other local obligations, the judge may not see a bail as needed to get the person to stay and cooperate with their parole officer.
Who Can Post Bail?
In cases where a bail is needed, the bail can be paid in a few ways. Bails for DUI can be paid in cash on behalf of the defendant. If you don't have the cash, though, a 24 hour bail bondsman company can help. They might offer you a surety bond, which means that you sign off as willing to pay the bail plus fines if the defendant doesn't cooperate. Other options to consider include hard money loans or pawn shops, which would provide loans using real estate or luxury goods as collateral (respectively). So, as you wait and wonder what will happen to you loved one, at least you now know that there are plenty of options for posting bail, and one might not be needed at all.
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