How Big Tech Companies are Impacting Bail Bonds

 

In 2018, big companies like Google and Facebook decided to weigh in on a topic that has had some political pull for years. It’s not exactly news to see big tech companies revealing political leanings through the implementation of certain policies. They’ve been outspoken before. Criminal justice reform has been a profound topic of conversation among policymakers for many years. It’s a cause heralded by many on the political left and the libertarian right and one that has a lot of merit and complexities imbued.  It’s not a black or white issue, yet it seems the stigmatization of the bail bond industry has been targeted to carry a lot of the weight for a much bigger problem.

Many would argue that the cause of criminal justice reform carries an undeniable racial element that must be addressed. Last year, President Trump himself signed a bipartisan-supported bill on the matter—many aspects of which were controversial— giving judges more discretion on sentencing and encouraging changes to improve the recidivism rate.

However, in their efforts to have some impact on this the tech giants decided to target private companies and curb advertisements on bail bondsman. NBC reported in May of 2018, that the companies decided to block advertisements from bails bondsman on the grounds that it violated their attempt to keep “damaging and hurtful” content off users sites.

For many years, people have misunderstood and often vilified the concept of the industry. When a person is arrested, a judge has the discretion to set bail so that person can be released from jail with a promise that he/she will return to their set court date. Getting released from jail as people await their constitutionally guaranteed trial is important for families to be reunited, for the accused to hire and talk to an attorney freely, to continue working or providing for their loved ones, etc.

Reaction to the Decision

Many in the media commented on the recent decision by Google and Facebook that has much broader implications about the power of these tech companies to impose political leanings via policies and decisions. The decision appears to some as nothing more than moral posturing and an attempt to pose as arbiters of justice in a private market. The issue begs the question about how an advertisement for bail is “damaging and hurtful” content to begin with but also how these companies seem now to have control over what is considered harmful to the average person. In other words, much of the market now depends on Facebook’s definition of “harmful” which can extend into some dicey territory.

Several groups have led a charge against the industry of bail bondsman and called it bail bond reform. Preventing these ads on social media and obfuscating the fact that there is access to funds that can help families post bond does not in itself create any solutions for the people they purport to be helping. It is not legislative reform. Jeff Clayton, executive director of the American Bail Coalition, dismissed the amount and claimed the companies were trying make the bail reform appear bigger than it really was.

Criminal justice reform has supporters on both sides of the isle and has for some time now worked to dismantle certain aspects of our criminal justice system.

Recent Discoveries

According to a recent impromptu experiment in the state of Maryland, showed that the elimination of bail actually increased the number of defendants held without bail from 10% to 14%. At the same time, fewer released defendants are showing up for trial. A ‘no show’ in court can face bigger penalties and consequences down the line. The concept of 24-hour bail bonds is contingent upon the judge’s discretion to set a bail amount so an accused person has the opportunity to get fast and reliable bail bond services.

Get Freedom with Freedom Bonds

Despite this controversy, Freedom Bail Bonds is here to help you deal with your arrest and better prepare for your court date. You have a right to a fair trial and a right to keep your life together until that date comes.  If you have been recently arrested or have a loved one that has been arrested, posting bail is the fastest way to get out and keep your life in order while you wait for court.

A Look At the 8th Amendment & Why It Is Important

 

The Founding Fathers had incredible foresight. They managed to create a system of government that was not only effective, but that resisted mob rule encouraged a well-read citizenry and demands/protects man’s basic freedoms. The system they left continues to be a well-structured system of government for a prosperous representative republic.  Although many Presidents and policymakers have often misinterpreted the framers and created laws that are not always consistent with the founding principles, this country still holds it’s Bill of Rights and amendments in very high regard. Let’s take a look at the 8th amendment and how it might apply to you today.

8th Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, no cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

This amendment essentially has two main components. The first deals with excessive bail fines for a defendant that has yet to see his full and official day in court. The second is the component of cruel and unusual punishment, which prohibits the use of cruel punishments— the language has always been a point of debate; for, how does one measure cruelty or the state of being unusual?

The Roots

Like a lot of things in America, the bail law was derived from Anglo-Saxon England. In this time period, however, justice functioned a lot differently. Unlike today, criminal justice was handled privately; family members were expected to avenge their loved one’s death/crime. A private citizen could actually kill someone that was sentenced to “outlawry.” Gradually this brutal system turned to one that bartered money instead of chaos. The system evolved, but people often faced a common problem about how to keep the accused nearby while they await trial. That is, how do they keep them from disappearing?

In medieval England, the sheriffs had discretionary power on how to set bail. This system was ripe for corruption, bribes, and special favors. In early America, the colonists brought with them their enlightened ideas of law and justice along with previously held laws in England. Slowly, the framers formed their own conception.

The Reason for Bail

Part of the reason why bail exists today is to ensure the appearance of an accused individual at trial. It basically keeps the person in the same jurisdiction and ensures that they will show up to court when they are scheduled. The Framer’s thinking behind the 8th Amendment was partly to ensure that localities didn’t set bail excessively high—although this did not mean that bail had to be particularly affordable or even available to everyone.

Ongoing Debate

There has always been a strong debate about the bail law. Most recently the debate has argued that bail amounts often make it difficult for low-class individuals to comply and is, therefore, a discriminatory law.  It is important to point out that the Framers never specified that there was a right to bail, but rather that the amount shall not be set excessively. In many cases, they left it up to the legislature to decide just which crimes could be bailable. Some attack money bail as unconstitutional not fully comprehending the reasons behind its actual implementation.  

How It is Determined & the Varying Factors

A judge can actually refuse bail for a number of reasons. This can be due to excessive criminal history, a bad record of court non-appearances, and misconduct, etc. Judges can also consider a defendant’s financial status although it is not necessarily required. Some misdemeanors will have standard bail amounts, but the judge also has the discretion to raise or lower them based on circumstances and other factors.

Trust Freedom

The modern commercial bondsmen began emerging at the turn of the 20th century. Getting arrested is no picnic. There are probably a thousand questions popping up through your head in those moments. You don’t want to spend any time in jail as you wait your trial. Freedom Bail Bonds wants to help you to be secure in your wait until your court

Felony Bonds vs. Misdemeanor Bonds: What You Need to Know

handcuffsWhen you are charged with a crime, it’s usually classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony. What you are charged with will determine the penalties, punishments, bail amount, and whether or not you are eligible for bail. When you’re in need of bail money, a bail bonds place can help. At Freedom Bail Bonds, we offer both misdemeanor and felony bonds. Here are some of the things you need to know about felony and misdemeanor bonds.

The Differences Between a Misdemeanor and Felony

The biggest difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is that people are usually charged with felonies for bigger crimes. Some common felonies include:

  • Murder
  • Rape
  • Aggravated assault
  • Possession of a controlled substance (over a certain amount since this can also qualify as a misdemeanor under a certain amount)
  • Burglary over a certain amount
  • Kidnapping
  • Arson

These crimes are seen as “elevated” crimes. Misdemeanor crimes are usually to a lesser degree. Some common misdemeanor crimes include:

  • Petty theft
  • Vandalism
  • Trespassing
  • Reckless driving

The punishments for each crime depend on whether it’s a felony or misdemeanor, the amount in question (if applicable), and whether you have any past convictions or not. For misdemeanors, penalties include fines, probation, jail time of up to a year, and community services. Typically, jail time is spent in a county jail, rather than a prison, and some sentences can be completed on the weekends only. Felonies, on the other hand, result in higher fines, longer jail times (in actual prisons), and other punishments.

Bail for Felonies vs. Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors tend to result in bail of a lesser amount than bail money needed for a felony. In addition, some people who are charged with felonies are never granted bail. This is usually reserved for high crimes such as murder and rape. While bail amount for misdemeanors can be in the thousands alone, bail amounts for felonies can reach the millions. Even though you only have to pay ten percent, this can still be a huge chunk of cash. This is where bonds come in. Bonds from bail bonds agency bail you out at the time, so you can stay at your home and have more time to prep for the trial. Felony bonds are typically greater in price and come with more paperwork (since there is a greater risk involved) than misdemeanor bonds. Luckily, at Freedom Bail Bonds, we offer both. If you or a loved one is in need of a bail bonds agency, call us today!

What Can Impede a Quick Jail Release After an Arrest?

an empty jail cell signifying quick jail releaseIt’s everyone’s worst nightmare: you are arrested and find yourself facing the prospect of spending the night in jail. There are many reasons you may get arrested, from simple misdemeanor or bench warrants to more serious crimes. After your arrest, there is a process that is followed which can arrange for you to get quick jail release: posting bail. However, there could be a number of things that can actually prevent you from either qualifying for quick jail release or from being able to post bail. At Freedom Bail Bonds, we’re here to give you a little more information on these processes.

How Do I Post Bail?

When you are initially arrested, you are read your rights, processed through the police system, and given a phone call. The best use of this phone call is to your family, your lawyer, or a close trusted friend. Depending on your crime, there are two ways you will be able to post bond:

  • For most common and minor crimes, there is a list of pre-set bail amounts. This makes the process simple, since all you have to do is find a bail bondsman, pay the amount, and get out of jail. Quick jail release is pretty standard and simple in those cases.
  • For more serious crimes, you will have to be put in front of a judge. Unfortunately, in these cases it can take some time for you to be able to see one. In fact, there are cases where the police may even decide to arrest you on a Friday, therefore impeding your ability to see a judge until the following Monday. In these cases, the term “quick jail release” should be viewed in terms of days instead of hours.

How is Bail Decided?

As we mentioned, for more common crimes, there is a set bail amount that you can usually pay and get a quick jail release. For more serious crimes, a judge will decide what a fair amount for bail is. For serious drug crimes, murder, and other violent crimes where flight is a very real possibility, the judge will be within their rights to set a high bail amount.

In What Circumstances Can Bail be Denied?

In the cases of serious crimes, the judge can decide that bail can be denied. This is usually the case if the crime in question is murder, violent assaults, and other similar crimes. In cases the accused is deemed a continuing danger to the community or an especially determined flight risk, bail is also usually denied.

There are times that bail can be denied for different reasons, usually called “red flags”. These can include:

  • The suspect is not a US citizen, therefore a serious flight risk.
  • The suspect shows no regard or respect towards the court.
  • The judge is told by a credible source that the suspect will not show up to court if released.
  • The suspect has a history of missing court dates.
  • There is a confirmed mental impairment and there is no one to supervise the suspect if released.

Contact Freedom Bail Bonds for Quick Jail Release

Whether or not you fall into the categories above, you have every right to fight for quick jail release after you are arrested. Freedom Bail Bonds provides fair and reliable bail bonds in El Paso, and can help you get out of jail quickly. Let us help you post bond- contact us today!

3 Things To Do After Being Arrested

Close up of a man's hands in handcuffs after being arrested for a misdemeanorGetting arrested can be a terrifying thing no matter the circumstances. Often the arrest can happen in a whirlwind of events. This only makes the whole situation more uncomfortable and confusing.  Of course once you are sitting in a jail cell the first thought to enter your mind is usually “How do I get out of here?”. Well there are several things you should do after being arrested that can help get you released faster. One of these is getting bail bonds from a trusted source. In El Paso, Freedom Bail Bonds has helped many people get out of jail quicker and easier.

Get Info on Your Charge

First things first, you need to find out what you are being charged with. This makes big difference in how much bail money you might need, or if you will even be allowed to make bail. For example, having  misdemeanors charges gives a better chance of getting out of jail then a criminal charge. While these two charges might sound similar they are very different. For example misdemeanors usually have penalties and little to no jail time attached to it. Typically you find out what your charge is fairly easily. Either the officer in charge of your arrest will inform you, or a court attorney will tell you. By law, if you ask they have to get the info to you.

Contact A Relative

Once you know what your charge is, you need to contact a relative or someone you trust to come get you. This is where you should make us of the ‘one phone call’ you are allowed. If you have a criminal charge leveled against you, then it might be wise to get a lawyer right off. If you have misdemeanors charges against you, then advise your contact to get bail.  

Make Bail

Lastly, you will want to get bail bonds to get out of jail. Even if the fee or penalties is on the lower end, bail bonds offer security and peace of mind. When you find a good agency they can help you get your loved out of jail, even if you do not have the full amount required. They often have different options to pay, including putting up collateral.  

Contact Us Today

Ending up in jail is never a convenient thing. As most business close early in El Paso, getting help can be super difficult. This is why Freedom Bail Bonds is available to help you out 24/7. No matter the circumstance, we can help you get your loved one out of jail sooner. Visit us today to get the help you need.