Going to jail can ruin your life. Regardless of guilt or innocence, society tends to view anyone in jail as a criminal. If others see you as a criminal, then it becomes very difficult to maintain your innocence and your freedom. Keeping a positive outlook is nearly impossible when you have constant reminders that others consider you a loser.
If you can avoid going to jail, then do whatever it takes to stay free. Most people do not know they will get arrested. If you or someone you care for is under arrest, there are some important reasons to get a bail bond whenever you can.
Continue to Go to Work
While there is no guarantee that your employer will keep you on after an arrest, you stand a much stronger chance to keep your job if you continue to show up for work. You are considered innocent until proven guilty and most employers respect that assumption. You get that chance with bail bonds.
Bail helps you remain gainfully employed which allows you to continue earning money necessary to survive and pay for your defense. Without gainful employment, you lose a lot more than money. You tend to lose credibility in the criminal defense world. The justice system looks favorably on defendants who hold a job and pay taxes.
Actively Participate in Your Defense
Reaching a top-notch attorney to ask for help becomes nearly impossible if you remain in jail. Most attorneys do not accept collect calls. If you have a bail bond, then you can approach an attorney and meet with them about your case.
Most attorneys want to know how you plan to pay them. Release on a bail bond allows you to continue working so you can pay for your defense. You can actively check on details of your arrest and gain information you would not get if you remain in jail.
Every Day in Jail Adds to Potential Jailhouse Snitches
When the Chicago Tribune examined the reasons why innocent people go to jail, one reason was a jailhouse snitch. Every jail has any number of people who have prior convictions. When they go to jail on new charges they stare at a future containing nothing but years and decades in prison. These individuals have nothing to lose by testifying against you. In fact, they may gain their freedom by doing so.
Often, they justify this by telling themselves that you must be guilty of something. Occasionally, someone you meet in jail testifies against you simply out of jealousy or spite. No matter what reasoning a jailhouse snitch may use, the result convicts you. Every day spent in jail increases the chance of meeting the wrong person.
A bail bond is critical to keep your freedom. Paying a bondsman for bail is a small price compared to your risk by remaining in jail.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
