DUI Booking and Bail

Once a person has been arrested for a DUI or any crime, the person is then booked. This is the process that includes:

• Taking down vital information like name, birthdate, height, weight, etc.
• Writing a statement about the reasons for arrest, or the alleged crime
• Running a criminal background check
• Taking photographs of the arrested suspect
• Fingerprinting the suspect
• Physically searching the suspect
• Placing personal property like keys, purse or wallet into safe storage until the person leaves the jail
• Putting the suspect in a jail cell

This booking is also often referred to as being “processed.” Once this occurs, a suspect will want to immediately begin the process of getting out of jail.

Released on Bail

When a person makes bail, it means that he or she paid a required fee in order to get out of jail. Occasionally a person can be released on his or her own recognizance without paying any money. Release from jail either way doesn’t release the person from the pending legal action over the crime, but allows them to be free while waiting for the court appearance. When bail money is paid to secure a release from jail, a suspect is also promising to appear at future court hearings and any other required appearances.

Sometimes bail can be paid immediately after the suspect is arrested and booked, and the person can leave jail immediately. In other cases, this isn’t allowed. A judge later must decide whether bail should be allowed, and the judge must also set the amount of bail if the amount isn’t pre-set for the type of crime. Some violations like a DUI have a bail schedule which determines the amount that must be paid.

The amount of bail or whether or not bail is allowed depends on several factors. In a DUI case, for instance, whether or not it’s a first offense and any other past criminal history would be taken into consideration. The severity of the offense would also be considered. Bail may be denied or may be set higher if the person’s blood alcohol level was several times above the legal limit, or an accident that occurred while person was under the influence caused injury to property or people.

A person’s current employment and family obligations may also be considered when determining bail.

Bail Bonding

When the bail is too high, a bail bondsman can post what’s known as “bond” to release the suspect from jail. The bail bondsman is paid a fee in return for posting this promise to the court that the person will appear at any required hearings. The fee paid for this bond is usually only a small percentage of the actual bail amount, and can allow those who cannot afford bail to be released.

In addition to paying a fee, some sort of collateral is usually required because if the suspect does what’s known as bail jumping, he or she doesn’t appear as promised, the bail bonding agency has to pay the court the entire bail fee.

Contact one of our experienced drunk driving lawyers in your area today!