As overwhelming as being arrested is under any circumstances, getting hit with multiple charges heaps on even more anxiety. Extra charges don’t just compound stress and legal complexity; they potentially make the process of posting bail more difficult and confusing.
Even if you have bailed out an arrested loved one before in Wilson County, you should be aware of the potential differences that a multiple-charge case can introduce if you are now facing that situation. Multiple charges can affect the cost of bail, the chance of getting bail, and the time it takes to secure release.
This blog will explain what you need to know and do to bail out your loved one charged with multiple offenses in Wilson County, and what you both should be prepared for and will be responsible for when they are out on bail.
Can Someone Be Charged With Multiple Offenses at Once?
It is very common for someone who is arrested to be charged with multiple offenses. For instance, if someone is pulled over driving drunk, is in possession of illegal drugs, and resists arrest, the person can be charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) as well as those additional offenses.
Each offense is treated separately by the police and the court system. As you will now see, this affects how bail is set and has other implications.
How Bail Is Calculated for Multiple Charges
The amount someone must pay to post bail for multiple charges is based on the combined total of the bail set for each individual charge. So if a magistrate sets bail at $500 for a lesser charge, but $10,000 for a more severe charge committed at the same time, the total bail will be $10,500. Even a number of lesser charges, then, can accumulate into a high bail amount.
When a family member/co-signer secures a bond to bail the offender out of jail, it will be a percentage (likely 10 percent) of the total bail amount.
Does Having Multiple Charges Delay Release?
Multiple charges create more administrative work for police officers and the legal system. The magistrate who determines bail must review all of the charges, which can delay someone’s release.
Another source of potential delays are “holds” that some charges, like probation violations, trigger. Even if an offender has posted bail, these charges can delay their release.
What Co-Signers Should Know
If you are co-signing a bail bond, you should be aware that:
- The higher the bail amount, the higher the bond (and the more likely you will have to put up things as collateral).
- Co-signing is a financial risk; if you co-sign a bond for someone with a history of skipping court or committing crimes, they may be more likely to violate bail conditions, leaving you responsible for the full bail cost, not just the bond.
While you might feel compelled to co-sign on a bond in the panic that comes with a loved one’s arrest, you must first understand the obligations you are taking on. Take a minute to breathe, write down your questions, and speak with an experienced bond agent about what you’ll be facing before you sign.
What Happens After Release on Bond for Multiple Charges
While out on bond, the person arrested will likely have to attend multiple court dates to deal with their different charges. These may occur in different courts.
Missing any of these court appearances, even one for a lesser charge, can result in the forfeiture of the entire bond, meaning the family member/guarantor is liable for the entire bail amount.
This is why both the person charged and the co-signer must stay on top of the court’s demands, by:
- Being organized (marking a calendar with court dates, knowing which court each hearing is at, assuring on-time arrival);
- Treating court dates as non-negotiable obligations;
- Remaining in regular contact with your bondsman about your case;
- Contacting your bondsman immediately if you have any questions.
When you’ve co-signed on a bond, small oversights can lead to big penalties, so take the responsibility seriously!
How River City Bail Bonds Helps Wilson County Families
Multiple charges make for a longer and more costly interaction with the legal system, and co-signing for a multi-charge bail bond is a big responsibility. River City Bail Bonds can guide you as you take it on.
River City Bail Bonds has been operating in Wilson County for a long time. We know the jails and the courts. We can help move things along as quickly as the system allows, and work with you so that you always know your and the arrested party’s options and obligations, with no surprises.
We also understand how stressful a multi-charge arrest can be, and we offer 24/7 support for those families who need help dealing with the arrest’s ongoing impact. Contact us today.
