After an arrest, you don't necessarily have to stay in jail as you wait for the court date. You can get a bondsman to post your bail if you qualify, allowing you to remain free as you wait for the hearing. 

However, the fact that your bail bonds service provider has posted bail for your release doesn't mean you are out of trouble. There are certain conditions you must follow as you await the trial. Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind if you want to retain your freedom until your trial.

Do Maintain or Find Employment

If you were employed before the arrest, continue working if your employer takes you back. In some cases, your employer might not know about the arrest if your bail bondsman got you out of jail fast. So, return to work and perform all your duties as expected. Doing this will prove to the court you are helpful to society, which will work in your favor. 

If you don't have a job, find one quickly and maintain it. You may also enroll in a job training program if you lack the necessary skills for a particular career you'd like to pursue. When you join a program as you wait for your trial, you'll show the court you want to improve your life and avoid committing crimes.

Don't Skip Check-Ins

After your release, you will likely be required to report to the bail bond agency or contact your agent regularly. You may also need to see the probation officer handling your case. Don't be tempted to skip these check-ins if you want things to run smoothly until your trial date. Skipping check-ins will cause more trouble and damage your relationship with your bail bonds agency or probation officer.

Do Show Up in Court

Being out on bail doesn't mean you can skip court hearings when you want. You will be expected to attend all the sessions and show up on time. If you fail to comply, you will be held in contempt of court, and a warrant for your arrest will be issued right away. The last thing you want is to be arrested again since the court will likely impose harsher consequences when ruling on your crime.

Don't Travel

After paying the bail, your freedom of movement will likely be somewhat restricted, depending on your history and charges. For instance, you might not be allowed to travel out of the state until your trial is complete. If this is the case, you must cancel all your travel plans. If you must travel, maybe due to work or a medical procedure, you will need special permission from the court and your bail company first.

For more tips, contact a bail bonds service near you.

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