Being arrested in Colorado is a never-planned event that creates a stressful situation that only worsens the longer the arrestee stays behind bars. Fortunately, you can secure your release as soon as you are arrested so you can work on proving your innocence while walking free. That is by posting bail. The State of Colorado has a bail system that allows defendants to secure their temporary release from jail after a criminal arrest.
At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we have been helping arrestees throughout Colorado post bail for years. You can be confident that we will advocate for and treat you fairly. We will guide you through the bail process and be with you through every step to ensure you understand what is happening, what to anticipate, and when things are being processed. Call us as soon as you are arrested to start the process.
Defining Bail
Bail refers to a security, often involving posting a given amount of finances or valuable property, to guarantee a defendant will make all the required court appearances until their case is resolved. If an accused fails to appear on their scheduled court date, the judge may issue a warrant for their arrest, and they may forfeit the property or money posted as bail.
Bail and a bail bond are usually used interchangeably but have different meanings. Bail is typically the finances a defendant or their family posts to secure a jail release. A bail bond often entails contracting a local bail bond agency. Once you hire a bond agency, a bondsman working for that company guarantees the bail amount if you fail to attend court on the required dates.
In other words, bail in Colorado refers to a security interest, which might include a bond, that a court requires to release a defendant, set to give assurance of court appearance and public safety. On the contrary, a bond is an agreement, without or with security or sureties, a person enters into to bind them to adhere to its conditions.
How Much Is Bail In Colorado?
The bail amount a judge sets for a defendant in Colorado is based on several factors. The bail conditions and amount should be enough to sensibly ensure a defendant’s court appearance and protect public safety.
The court might utilize a bond schedule when determining the bail amount. The schedule gives guidelines regarding the bail amount for different crimes. The bail amount set for a defendant can be lowered or increased from the one on the schedule. In certain cases, a defendant might be denied bail. Alternatively, an arrestee may be set free without making bail, which is called OR (own recognizance) release.
The judge might consider various factors when determining the bail value. These are:
- Any facts showing an accused will likely harass or intimidate possible witnesses
- Any facts showing the likelihood of the defendant violating the law upon release on bail without particular conditions
- The defendant’s past criminal records and past failures to attend court
- The possible sentencing, considering the type of offense currently charged
- Identity of people who consent to help the defendant attend court on the required dates
- The defendant’s reputation and character
- The defendant’s present and past residences
- The extent and nature of the defendant’s family relationships
- The defendant’s employment history and status
- Any other factors that show the defendant has strong community ties and will not likely flee from the state
How to Post Bail in Colorado
You can pay bail by taking the required amount to the relevant court. Based on the precise court, you might need to post the bail value by cash, money order, credit card, or cashier's check.
If you lack money to post the total bail amount, you can hire a local bail bond company to help secure your release. You can contact the company or visit their offices to start the process.
If you are helping your loved one post bail and contract a bail bond company to help you secure their release, you are deemed a cosigner or indemnitor. You should not be less than eighteen to be an indemnitor because the company will require a written agreement.
For a bail bondsman to help you post bail for someone or yourself, they will need you to pay a premium, often 10 to 15 percent of the entire bail value, and the premium is non-refundable. The bondsman will also need you to provide collateral as security for the outstanding 85 percent, just in case you (or the defendant if you are the cosigner) fail to attend court, leading to bond forfeiture.
Bail bondsmen generally accept payments via credit cards, and some will also agree to installment payments. You might also have to pay an additional amount if the bail bondsman must keep your collateral in a public storage facility.
After the bondsman pays the bail amount, you should be let go within at least two hours. Provided you obey every imposed court order and attend court hearings as required, you will not need to meet with the bondsman again.
Nevertheless, if you skip bail, the judge can issue a warrant for your arrest, and the bail value may be forfeited to the court. That means the bondsman will hire a bounty hunter to locate and return you to the authorities. They will then use the collateral you provided to compensate themselves for the bond forfeited and bounty hunter fees.
The potential for forfeiture is the reason it is critical to hire a bondsman if you are the cosigner and are not completely sure the defendant will adhere to court orders. Additionally, ensure you keep a copy of the contract with the bondsman and obtain a receipt for the collateral, premium, and other payments.
Note that it is illegal for bond companies to solicit clients—you are the one to contact them. However, if you call a bond company while locked up and give your loved one's name as the Indemnitor, it is lawful for the bondsman to contact them then.
Find a Professional Bail Bond Service Near Me
At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we offer bail bond services across Colorado, from the Front Range of Northern Colorado to the Denver Metropolitan Area. We boast trusted bail bondsmen with years of expertise who are intimately conversant with Colorado court operations. We strive daily to offer the best and quickest bail bond services, which ensures the earliest jail release possible. If you have been arrested, trust us to help you secure your release quickly. Call us at 800-930-8999 so we can start working on your case.