Although one may not expect to end up in trouble and in jail on New Year’s Eve, accidents do occur and crimes are committed, even if they are ones that might be typical to the holiday season. The percentage of crimes committed does increase during the holiday season, and the amount of traffic violations increases as cases of DUI are common offenses on New Year’s Eve. If you are accused of committing a crime and end up incarcerated, do you have the resources available to be released if bail is granted?

A trusted bail bonds company is a resource that you should have in your toolbox. It is important to educate yourself about the bail bonds agents in your area in order to have confidence that should you end up incarcerated, you have a professional to contact. A well-trained professional bail bondsman will be able to come to your aid quickly and have the resources and knowledge that you need. They should have a firm grasp on the law and the judicial system. A good bail bondsman will act as a professional that has your best interest in mind. They need to have strong people skills and the ability to communicate effectively to you, your family and loved ones, and with the law enforcement agencies. When a bail bonds agent has these skills, they will be able to post your bail quickly resulting in you spending less time behind bars, ensuring that you spend more time with your loved ones this holiday season.

This is the time of year to be extra cautious need to with your actions. If you plan on celebrating by drinking alcoholic beverages you should be responsible. Drink reasonably and don’t drive. If you have to get from one place to another call a taxi or find a designated driver. Do not risk your safety and the safety of other individuals on the road. The rate of DUI’s is astounding on New Year’s Eve, don’t become another statistic. Should a crime occur, know what will happen if you are arrested.

When you are arrested you have rights that are guaranteed to you if you are an American citizen. It is important to know that if you are in this country illegally, the same rules do not apply. You run the risk of being deported and suffering heavy financial losses. If you are eligible for rights, make sure you know what rights are afforded. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, you also have the right to make a phone call after being arrested. Make sure you choose whom you are calling very carefully. Having the number for a trusted bail bonds agent can save you energy, time and possibly result in being released on bail quickly. Know your rights and exercise them if you find yourself arrested and accused of a crime.

Taking precautions and being safe during New Year’s Eve are great ways to avoid finding yourself in trouble with the law. If you find yourself arrested on New Year’s Eve, make sure you have resources available. The most important resource to have is a trusted bail bonds agent. Have a safe and Happy New Year.

Very few individuals plan on getting in trouble, or being accused of crimes, but it does occur. When law enforcement officers are called in, it is important to understand that they have a job to do, with strict guidelines. Knowing how to interact with law enforcement officials will make a stressful situation less painful and difficult.

If you are being stopped for a potential traffic violation, remain calm. Pull your car over quickly and safely and remain in your vehicle. Being respectful of the officer can eliminate any misunderstandings and miscommunications. It is best to mind your manners and wait to be spoken to, do not begin the interaction by asking questions though you can certainly greet the officer. He or she will tell you what you should and shouldn’t do, and it is best to follow their instructions entirely. Keeping your hands on the steering wheel and visible at all times is also appreciated by officers. If you are going to reach into the glove compartment or your purse to retrieve a license, insurance and registration information, inform the police officer before doing so. The officer is going to want to know where your hands are at all times. This is for their safety and as well as yours. If your experience with a law enforcement officer occurs somewhere other than a vehicle, there are suggestions for how to interact.

Police officers approach people in their vehicles but they can also approach a person in nearly any other environment, whether you are shopping, out and about, at an amusement park or even in someone else’s home if the owner of the home allows the officer to enter, or if the officer has reasonable cause to enter. Should this occur, these are some suggestions that you will find helpful.

1.     Don’t use foul, profane language or insulting language as this only makes things worse.

2.     Put out your cigarette if you are smoking.

3.     Be polite and answer any questions that the officer may have that you are comfortable answering.

4.     If you have anything on your body or in your possession that could cause injury to you or the police officer, make this known right away.

5.     If you feel that you should not speak to the officer, you are not required to do so at any time. You may always as for legal counsel should you be detained.

6.     Use your ears and listen to the police officer.

Police officers put their life on the line on a daily basis. They do not enjoy dealing with crimes and potential criminals. In order to avoid confusion and to make an uncomfortable situation safe, it is best to listen to the officer and follow directions.

The holiday season is full of cheer, singing carols, great food and gift giving. Unfortunately the crime rate seems to increase during the holiday season. With the hustle and bustle of the season, late night shopping and traveling the crime rate surges as opportunities seem to present themselves. Everyone wants to have a great time during the holidays, but there is a fine line between having fun and committing a crime. Certain crimes spike in frequency during this time of year, and those can include:

1.     Vandalism (pranks – such as stealing church nativities and outside decorations)

2.     Online crimes including fraud, fake charities, false listings of being in need

3.     Burglaries (home and car)

4.     Shoplifting

5.     Identity Theft

6.     Traffic Violations (DUI/ DWI, accidents, speeding violations)

7.     Shoplifting

8.     Drug offenses

9.     Violent crimes and disorderly conduct

10.  Theft (including petty theft)

Holiday stress can create situations where the chances of committing a crime or being accused of committing a crime are more likely. Taking time to relax, work out any problems or make arrangements and take your time while traveling can reduce the chance for accidents and potential criminal activity.

Don’t expect the court system to be more understanding during the holidays. You may find that your first appearance is delayed due to the courts being closed for holiday dates.

With traditional financial offices and banks on reduced or limited hours for the holidays, finding a reliable, quality bail bondsman is even more vital. Another complication can be the inability to contact and confirm your legal representation.

If you find that you have been arrested during the holiday season, depending upon the type of offense, you may be granted the ability to be released on bail. Bail allows you to remain out of jail until convicted of a crime. Bail bond services are included twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty five days out of the year by 1800Libertad. A quality bail bondsman can post your bond so that you can spend the holidays with your family and loved ones.

Quality bail bondsmen will posses the education, training and resources to provide efficient and professional services any day of the year. They will be capable if understanding your situation, if the crime is criminal or immigration in nature, and be able to explain to you and your family the necessary steps of the bonds process. 1800Libertad possess high caliber bail bondsmen that are equipped to deal with any bail bonds situation. Contact an agent today to answer any questions that may arise.

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

This holiday season give yourself the gift of a new career. Becoming a bail bondsman is a great idea for someone that wishes to have a rewarding and exciting career. A bail bondsman is a person who arranges the bail for an individual who is accused of a crime. The accused offers cash or assets as collateral, which is in essence a form of guarantee that they will abide by the Judge’s ruling to appear in court on a certain day and time. There are perks to having a career as a bail bondsman. The need for bail bondsmen is on the rise. The number of people requiring the services of a bail bondsman is on the rise, and economic issues make it difficult for the accused to post their own bail. As such, the need is there, and needs to be filled by qualified and dedicated individuals.

1.     Pay: The pay is above average. For bail bondsmen that work independently, they receive 10% of each bond that is posted. If the bail bondsman works for an organization, they will receive a fair wage, along with benefits such as paid leaves, vacations and health care benefits.

2.     Age: Anyone who is 18 years or older can apply for the license, if they meet the required criteria. They need to pass the academic test, which is different in each state, proof of residency and have their fingerprints on file to name a few.  In addition most states will require a minimum deposit in a FDC approved bank as well as insurance coverage.

3.     Fulfillment: The career of a bail bondsman can be exciting and rewarding. Helping individuals can be extremely emotionally rewarding. If you are the type of person who likes to help others, you will find that this career might be the right one for you. Unlike many professions in areas that allow you to care for others, a career in the bail bond industry does not require years of specialized education.

4.     Certainty: If you strongly desire a change in your career, one that will be virtually recession proof where you can have the freedom to work for yourself if desired and earn an above average income (100,000 a year plus), consider becoming a bail bondsman. There is nearly always a need for bail bondsmen and women, regardless of the current economic climate.

1800Libertad has the need for qualified bail bonds agents all over the country. If you are interested in working with 1800Libertad, submit your inquiry today.

The Judge has made a ruling and the accused is required to make a court appearance. Bail has been posted, via a bail bonds agent and the accused is out on bail. As the accused, you have certain responsibilities. The most critical responsibility that the accused has is to appear in court on the scheduled day at the appointed time. Failure to do so results in a FTA (failure to appear). The consequences of a failure to appear can range from minor to major, depending on certain factors.

As the accused, you are responsible to appear in court on a certain date and at an exact time, via the ruling of the Judge. If the accused does not, the consequences could be a fine, an issue of a bench warrant for arrest or major jail time. When the accused doesn’t appear in court, they are considered in contempt. Having this on a permanent criminal record can impede job possibilities and create more harsh penalties if the accused ends up in trouble again. The optimal solution is to not be in contempt of court by failing to appear. There are things that can decrease the risk of not appearing in court.

The accused has a mandatory obligation to show up in court for the ruling on their case. In order to ensure that the accused shows up, certain things must be in place. As the bail bonds agent, you can thoroughly explain to the accused what the consequences are if they fail to appear in court. Explain to the accused that if property was offered as collateral, the court may confiscate that property. If family members or other loved ones used their property as collateral, said property is at risk of being seized should the accused not abide by the courts rules. Having a crystal clear understanding of what the court can and will do if the accused doesn’t show up should be a great motivator for the accused to abide by the rules. As a bail bonds agent, this FTA can have a negative impact.

As a bail bonds agent, should a FTA occur, there is the possibility that you will have to pay a fine and this monetary impact can be huge, depending on what the accused is charged of doing. Make sure that you and the bond agents you have representing your company have a firm understanding of the law, the implications of FTA and the ability to convey these messages to the accused and their loved ones. Knowledge is the ultimate tool of the bail bonds agent and the accused when dealing with the legal system and the boundaries set by the court. If questions should arise, contact legal counsel. Legal counsel will know the details about each individual state’s specific laws.

Failure to appear in court is not something to take lightly, by the accused or the bail bonds agent. By having the proper information, from the Judge, court and legal counsel if necessary, most problems involving a FTA can be avoided. In the end, having a FTA will only make the consequences for the accused harsher, it is much easier to abide by the rules.

There are many reasons for wanting to stay out of trouble with the law, and one of the consequences for getting into trouble is the chance that time in prison may be the consequence for violating the law. One of the major issues that the prison system has is that they are seriously overcrowded. Studies have been done in the past that show different reasons causing the overcrowding. These include:

• • The War on Drugs
  • Increased strict sentencing
  • Fewer individuals being released on parole
  • Economic issues
  • Increase in number of repeat offenders

Economic issues are also a part of why prisons are so very full. Due to economic strains fewer people have the means to bail loved ones out of jail, increasing the number of individuals in jails and prisons. Simply put, the people who are committing crimes or being arrested for being suspected of committing a crime does not have the financial means to post bail. Their loved ones do not have the means or the collateral, to post bail either. The conditions for the prisoners don’t improve at all when the prisons become overcrowded.

Inmates may find that their access to education, vocational and rehabilitation are decreased with the increase of the prison population. This can create a feeling of competition among an unsteady group of individuals. This feeling of competition can cause outbreaks of violence among inmates, making the safety of the facility questionable. Misclassification of inmates also occurs, thus putting inmates with lesser offenses right beside those serving for more violent crimes. Placing mentally ill prisoners in general population is also a factor that can increase the potential for violence in the prison. The solutions for this situation can be described as controversial at best. While there are no easy solutions to the problem, one thing is known to be quite effective. Don’t commit a crime, and if you are accused, have the resources and knowledge available to secure your bond.

Working with a trusted bail bond company can be a huge asset for the accused. The bail bond company is aware of the legal system and can be of great value to the accused, offering sound advice and being supportive during a very delicate time. A bail bondsman can explain what collateral is, along with your specific responsibilities during the time between when you are released and your court date. You will want to adhere strictly to the instructions given, failure to do so can mean that you are returned to jail when you forfeit your bail.

The problem of overcrowding in the prison systems in the United States is not a new one, it has been heavily discussed and debated for the past two decades. A solution may not be in sight for the near future, but not adding to the problem is a pro-active way to aid the situation. If you should find yourself accused of a crime, listen to your bail bondsman.

Violating a bail bond is a huge problem. Not only will you be in trouble with the courts, but your bail bondsman will not be too thrilled with you either. Bail is money that is set and paid, allowing an individual to be released from jail while they wait for your trial. Typically, one has to pay 10% of the total bail amount. Before you are able to bail out of jail, the judge will set the terms for your release. The accused has the obligation to adhere to the terms set by the Judge, along with being in Court on the assigned date and time. If one cannot afford their bail, they often enlist the help of a reputable bail bondsman.

A bail bondsman will post bail for the person that is detained. Most often they are able to do this with something being held as collateral. Collateral can come in the form of property, automobiles, anything of value that an individual owns free and clear. The bail bondsman is making a promise by posting your bail that you will appear in court and adhere to the terms set by the judge. If you do not adhere to the agreed upon terms, you are in violation of the terms of their release. When you are in violation of the terms of your release, there are consequences.

Being in violation of the terms of release can result in a number of negative consequences.

• Lose the ability to reclaim bail money (This might also include whatever you have put up for collateral.)
• Being deported if you are being charged with immigration related violations.
• Going to jail. If you go to jail, you can lose your job, your income, and benefits. This is just one of the consequences of going to jail. There are many more. Jail is not a pleasant place.
• Face additional charges relating to your missed court dates, for example.

No consequence is ideal for the person having to deal with them. Consequences occur because a person has not done what they should have done, and society believes that they must learn a lesson from their transgressions. Instead of avoiding your obligation to the Court, the judge and your bail bondsman it is advisable that the accused adhere to the agreement made. Don’t violate bail bonds agreements; it will be quicker and less painful to deal with the issue at hand, head on.

The holiday season brings many things, the increase of stress, spending of money, impending visits from family and festive parties, and a whole variety of other activities and stressors. With so many things going on within the time span from Thanksgiving to Christmas, it is easy to get caught up with the holiday hype and forget about some of the things that could land you in trouble.

In order to avoid getting in trouble you should avoid certain situations. If you are going to be out and about doing holiday shopping, make sure you adhere to the speed limit and keep that seatbelt on. Tough economic times affect everyone, and we all want to give the best to our kids, but it’s better to teach them the lesson of humility and humbleness than instant gratification. Remind those around you that you aren’t interested in purchasing goods of questionable origin. Your loved ones would rather have you around for the holidays as opposed to having you in jail over getting them a trinket. With the holidays comes the need to be festive, everyone wants to have a good time.

And of course, holiday parties are going on everywhere. You have invitations from friends and family to rejoice, eat, drink, and have a great time. Don’t overindulge at these festivities. The last thing you want is a DUI in your stocking. Keep your drinking to a minimum or better yet, have a designated driver. Should you end up in an unfortunate circumstance where you are caught drinking and driving, understand your rights and know how to find a good bail bond agent if warranted. If you are in need of a lawyer, word of mouth is the best way to find a reputable and trustworthy lawyer.

While we all hope to have a fun and happy holiday season, the unexpected can always happen, and we have to always be prepared for these things. You aren’t looking to have trouble with the law, but should trouble occur, it is advisable to know your rights and to know how to find a good bail bonds agent. 1-800-Libertad is here for you 24/7, 365 days a year. Our trusted agents are knowledgeable and will work with you. Have a safe and merry holiday season and if possible, avoid getting into trouble with the law.

We wish you the happiest of holiday seasons and hope that you have the best in the New Year.

You’ve been arrested, you have contacted loved ones and possibly a bail bond agent and your stress level is at a peak. Despite how stressful this situation can be, it is important to remain as calm as possible. This is important for your health both physically and emotionally. Putting yourself through unneeded stress will not make your experience a positive one. Additionally, people who remain calm are better able to think clearly and not say things that could be detrimental to their case. Remain calm and think clearly is a good mantra for any detainee.

Increased stress can cause you to respond poorly by saying something unintentional or by reacting in physical manner that would be inappropriate. Taking a few minutes to breathe and remain calm are great ways to avoid making a bad situation possibly worse. While it is tough in this situation, it is even more important to consider your actions and words before they happen. It is important to remember that the officers that booked you are not at fault. Remaining calm may improve the communication you have with those officers. Calm communication is important when speaking with your family members and especially your bail agent, as he or she will be better able to help you if they have a clear accounting of the situation. It is not beneficial to anyone if you are stressed out and unable to articulate your position.

Suggestions To Remain Calm:

1. Stay centered and focused.
2. Think about what you are going to say before you say it.
3. Be respectful and polite.
4. Take the time to breath and do your best to not get overly excited.
5. Communicate in a clear and concise manner.

It is not easy to think about remaining calm in a very stressful situation, such as being arrested, but it is a critical thing to remember. You can always ask your bail agent for assistance regarding any questions or concerns you may have. If you do not yet have a bail bond agent, your attorney is also a great source of information and help. Their job is to be of service to you and communicating with them effectively will make sure that the entire process is dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Remember that you are your own best friend, and your own worst enemy. It is important to consider what you want to do in your future before you make any statements to the authorities, as once you have said or done something, you can never take it back.

If you are an illegal immigrant in the United States, and you have children, it is likely that your children are in the United States as illegal immigrants as well. Being an illegal immigrant can be troublesome for children who wish to eventually become legal residents of this country; however a new Act (The DREAM Act) is currently sitting in the US Congress, which unfortunately is sitting as a lame duck session. The plan is that this bipartisan piece of legislation will be voted on during the last couple of days that Congress is in session.

The DREAM Act or Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, will permit undocumented students to become permanent residents if they came to the United States as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and attend college or enlist in the military for a minimum of two years. In essence, these undocumented immigrants would need to prove their worthiness by being productive members of society seeking to better their situation according to most sources.

What is astounding is that undocumented immigrants throughout the entire country are coming out in full force in support of the Act. This is dangerous for them, as it is with all undocumented aliens. To declare their status out loud puts them at risk of being detained and deported. (Should you as an illegal alien be detained, it is wise to immediately seek the counsel of a good immigration attorney who will ask for an immigration bond for you so that you may return to your studies and family.) An immigration bail bond will allow you to continue with your studies while the outcome of your case is being determined.

If you are currently a student, and if the DREAM act is passed, there are certain conditions which you must meet in order to take advantage of the opportunities of the DREAM Act.

• In order to qualify for the DREAM Act, a person must have been present in the United States for a period of 5 years prior to the enactment of the Act, and must have come to the United States before their 16^th birthday, and may not be over the age of 35 years old.
• The person seeking qualification must also be a member of the community in good standing and have no criminal record.
• An individual must have earned their high school diploma, GED or be enrolled in a college or University.
• The individual has never been under a final administrative or judicial order of exclusion, deportation, or removal unless the person has remained in the U.S. under color of law after such order was issued; or received the order before reaching age 16. 

This important piece of legislation will only be passed if you and your friends and family take a stand. Write to you congressman and tell him or her that you believe in this bill, and that you want him or her to support it. Pass the word along, and take a stand in your future!