When you or someone you care about is incarcerated, your priority is to secure a safe release as soon as possible. This can be overwhelming. You may feel rushed and might make bad decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate information-decisions that carry serious long-term consequences. Get Bail, Leave Jail helps Americans safely navigate legal accusations, arrests, bail bondsmen, and the most complicated court procedures. Its guidance stems from more than 60 years of family experience in bail, working with thousands of people in need, countless criminal defense lawyers, and all manner of law enforcement and court officials. Within these pages, you'll find detailed advice about: - Five types of bail agencies (including how to check their reputation and qualifications). - Eleven questions to ask a bail bondsman or bail agent before hiring them. - Five ways to get out of jail (and how to speed up release). - Eight ways that getting out of jail can be delayed (and how to avoid them). - The most common bail bond forms and contracts you'll encounter. - Twenty-one types of items you can use as bail collateral to secure your bond money. - Navigating criminal court procedures and ensuring the exoneration of your bail bond. - How to prepare your defense in court, how to reduce sentencing, and maybe even how to stay out of prison completely. Every arrest is difficult, whether it's a DUI, traffic ticket, shoplifting, domestic violence, drug possession, white collar crime, or an even more serious charge. But defendants who get out on bail are better prepared because they have more time, more options, and can seek better help. Read Get Bail, Leave Jail to prepare yourself with this vital information before you or your loved ones ever need it.

Examines the causes for mass incarceration of Americans and calls for the reform of the bail system. Traces the history of bail, how it has come to be an oppressive tool of the courts, and makes recommendations for reforming the bail system and alleviating the mass incarceration problem.

This book on BAIL OR JAIL setting forth a flash-light of critical thinking for every Magistrate, Judge and Lawyer who should be fully equipped with knowledge of Bail Proceedings and its relevant Stages since, Ignorance of above circumstances can cause Miscarriage of Justice. It is not the purpose of the Criminal Law to confine a person accused of an alleged offence before his conviction instead off it is intended to combine the administration of justice with the liberty and convenience of the person accused. To free on conditions of Bail rather to confine in Jail is a jurisprudential jurisdiction which has been evolved in view of the fact that Administration of Justice on the spot or immediately just after the commission of the alleged offence in accordance with the rudimentary principles of an advanced Legal System in not feasible. The question, whether the alleged accused should be kept in prison or should be kept free till pending of trial, therefore, through such Application of Bail before the Court calls for assistance of Magistrates and Judges for consideration on merit in view of impending and prevailing circumstances protecting the Fundamental and Constitutional Rights of the individual accused of and uphold belief and peace in the Society where Courts also act as ultimate Guardian of their Fundamental and Constitutional Rights. It is an inability of existing judicial machinery to try accused expeditiously. “Therefore, accused cannot be detained in Judicial Custody for a long time by refusal to grant Bail” Bail is Rule of Law not the Jail. Bail is allowed to prevent the punishment of innocent persons, and to enable an accused person to prepare his defence to the charge against him. “The principle underlying release on Bail is that an accused person is presumed in law to be innocent till his guilt is proved and such presumably innocent person, he is entitled to freedom and every opportunity to look after his case, provided his attendance is secured by proper security.”

Considers legislation to liberalize bail requirements.

A guide to supporting family members who are facing criminal charges, including how to make decisions with the whole family in mind, not just the defendant.