4 Ways to Speed Up the Bail Process in Minnesota

An arrest, no matter the reason or circumstances, can lead to panic, confusion, and high levels of anxiety. The best way to process and deal with all the things happening is from outside of jail. The faster you can secure your release, the better. Here are a few ways you can speed up the process.

1. Do Less Panicking and More Listening

In Minnesota, you have several rights that you may forfeit simply because you didn't understand the instructions someone gave or the paperwork someone laid in front of you. An example of those rights include:

• A judge must see you within 36 hours of your arrest, not counting Sundays and holidays.
• A judge must make a probable cause determination within 48 hours of your arrest.

A violation of one of these rules means you're free to go. Nevertheless, the process after an arrest can vary depending on the jurisdiction, so you must listen to any person of authority who has something to say.

For example, one county may have a judge that comes in specifically to look at the files of everyone booked the previous day. That judge may set bail and move on without you ever having seen anyone.

By contrast, some courts may use a bail algorithm that sets bail amounts based on criteria you're completely unaware of. Most courts have a bail schedule with an automatic bail amount based on the offense. These are the types of things you will need to know, so make sure you stay calm and listen.

In some ways, these quick bail amounts can help. If the court sets a reasonable bail amount, you can pay it and move on with things without going through too much hassle. However, this isn't always the case, and not everyone can pay bail immediately, if at all.

2. Do Contact Your Lawyer Immediately, If You Have One

You have the right to a lawyer during a pretrial release hearing in Minnesota. If you have a lawyer or access to one, then you should contact them immediately. A criminal defense lawyer will know how to move through the bail process quickly and can help you plan for any eventuality.

A lawyer can also do things like set up a bail hearing, contact the judge directly about your bail amount, or plead on your behalf if you're given a bail amount that's too high. Local lawyers may also have a good rapport with a bail bond agency that can help speed the process of securing your bail.

Besides, legal representation can help you with more than just your bail situation. You should speak with a lawyer about the overall case. If you don't have a lawyer or quick access to one, don't worry, you can still go through this process. A lawyer just helps to open a few more options for you.

3. Do Gather Information and Do Not Gloss Over the Paperwork

Before a bail hearing, you will have to go through some paperwork. At this point, you'll want to make sure you list everything that presents you as someone who isn't a flight risk, like information about your employment, familial ties, or time spent living in a particular area. Document these things where applicable.

The one of the main concerns of the court when determining bail is whether they can trust you to return for future court dates and whether you're a danger to public safety. Let them know in every way you won't run or endanger anyone.

In addition, you can also gather information about your arrest and overall situation. Try to figure out your exact charge, if one exists. You should have a copy of the citation or tab charge from the arresting officer. If you don't, ask for it, as it's important information.

Information such as your location, your inmate number, and your bond amount will help. In most cases, you're assigned a type of preliminary bond amount based on the court's bail schedule. So, even if you haven't had your pretrial release hearing, you can still have a dollar amount to consider.

4. Do Contact a Bail Bond Agency the Moment You Can

The sooner you get in contact with a bail bond agency, the sooner you can have the amount paid. However, the first few steps are still of great importance. You will still need to remain calm, do the paperwork, and gather information. These steps will help the bail bond agency move on your situation that much faster.

The bail bond agency will also know some of the inner workings of the jurisdiction of your arrest, so they can help you move forward in the process more confidently. Tell the agency your situation frankly and feel free to ask them questions.

A reputable bail bond service will work with you and help you to figure out what steps you need to take to secure your release as soon as possible. To secure swift bail for yourself or a loved one, contact Absolute Bail Bonds immediately.