The holiday season should be a time of peace and joy for everyone, but unfortunately that’s not always how it works out. If you receive a phone call indicating you have a loved one who was arrested during the holidays, that can quickly throw a wrench in your plans and take the energy out of what should be a great time to spend with friends and family.
So what happens if you or a loved one are arrested during the holiday season? Here’s a quick overview of some things to keep in mind, including options for bail bonds in Angleton.
Expect it to be a lengthy process
There are going to be some delays that you’ll have to deal with during the holiday season, even more so than usual. A person is entitled to a hearing within 48 to 72 judicial hours if bail was not set or if they cannot afford their bail. However, judicial hours do not include weekends or holidays, and during the holiday season the courts may be closed more frequently than at other times of the year. This means there’s the potential for extra delays before your loved one is actually able to get in front of a judge, meaning they may not be able to get home for the holidays unless you’re able to post bail.
Delays don’t just occur with hearing times, either—you can also expect delays with public defenders and criminal defense lawyers, whose offices may be closed on the holidays. Even on the days they’re open, they may be short-staffed, due to it being a popular time of year for employees to take time off work.
Bail bonds are an option
If bail was set for the case, you can work with a bail bonds company to get some assistance in getting your loved one out so they can get home and spend the day with their family. Being in jail can be a stressful and frightening experience at any time of year, but it’s especially difficult emotionally over the holiday season, when a person had likely been planning on spending the day surrounded by loved ones.
If you’re the relative of a loved one who has been arrested, you can take pity on them and their emotional state by getting a bail bond to get them out of jail as quickly as possible. Bring them home, give them something to eat and let them rest so they have time to decompress. Make sure they’re able to attend their hearing date and they get legal representation if needed for their case. You’ll also need to make sure you’re able to pay back the bondsman. But the most important thing, first and foremost, is getting your loved one home for the holiday.
If you have a loved one who is arrested over the holiday and needs assistance posting bail, we encourage you to reach out to Brazoria County Bail Bonds. We specialize in bail bonds in Angleton, and we’d be happy to help.