Things You Can Do When a Loved One Gets Arrested

Has somebody close to you recently been arrested and put in jail? Although this may be a stressful thing to have to deal with, luckily there are plenty of places that offer help. People get arrested for many different reasons. If it’s your first time encountering this type of situation, you might not know where to start. Fortunately, there are services out there that specialize in this kind of conundrum.

Help the Person Make Bail

Many times, when people are put in jail, a judge issues a bond amount that must be paid to release the person from incarceration. Once this set amount is paid to the courts, the inmate can then be released. Many times, the bond is connected with the defendant’s promise to appear in court. If a person chooses to pay this full amount out of pocket, they will receive a refund once the person appears at their first court date and follows the judge’s other orders. Most of the time, the bond amounts are in the thousands of dollars and difficult for most people to pay out of pocket. Bail bondsmen offer help for this type of situation. Usually, a person pays a percentage of the bond to a bondsman, and they put up the rest of the amount to the court. The bond company receives their money back once the bonded person goes to their court hearing. To find this kind of service, you want to look for companies that specialize in bail bonds Harrisburg PA.

Locate a Defense Attorney

Once the person has gotten released from jail, they will have a set court date for which they must appear. When they go to their hearing, it’s helpful they go with an attorney who specializes in legal defense. Lawyers help negotiate terms with the judge and help acquire the best possible sentence. Sometimes, having a counselor represent you in court may help you avoid jail time. When it’s somebody close to you who’s been arrested, it’s helpful to find the best possible legal defense for them.

Seek Some Support Groups

When you have to deal with legal problems with a loved one for the first time, it might seem like a daunting situation. Many places offer local counseling support groups for families and friends of people who have been incarcerated. 

Many other services can help defendants and their families deal with court proceedings. With the right kind of help, there will be brighter days ahead.