If you find yourself needing to arrange bail for yourself or someone else, it can seem like a daunting task. You know some things to look for in a Bail Bondsman from our previous blog post, but where do you go to find them? Luckily, bail companies are usually very simple to find.

Check your yellow pages – Either in your phone book or online. Just about any professional Bail Bondsman should be listed in the directory. If you’re looking online, try to run a search engine query for Bail Bondsman and the name of your city or your zip code. For example, if you live in New York, New York, you might type “bail bondsman new york” or “bail bondsman 10001”. Generally speaking, the higher the bond company ranks on the search engine page, the more exposure and popularity they probably have.

Ask your lawyer – If you already have a lawyer, or even if you’re in the process of looking for one, ask him or her for referrals to a Bail Agent. A lawyer should have no problem pointing you toward a good, reputable bond company or independent bondsman.

Ask law enforcement – While it may not be the first thing on a person’s mind when they or someone they know is being arrested, asking the arresting officer for a good Bail Bondsman can be a very good idea. Law enforcement routinely works with Bail Bondsmen and can give you a good idea of who is professional, effective and easy to work with.

Keep your eyes open – Bail Bondsmen often use billboards, placards, and other signs to advertise their services. They may advertise especially heavily in the vicinity of the jail and courthouse. They also may place ads in newspapers, local magazines, and local trade or buying publications.

Ask your friends – If you don’t mind your friends knowing what’s happening, word of mouth is often the best way to find anything, Bail Bondsmen included. Not only will you have confidence that your agent isn’t likely to try to scam you in any way, but you also have the knowledge that you aren’t alone in this situation. Sometimes it is comforting knowing that there are other people you know who have experienced the very same thing.

Use a Bail Bonds information website – these sites are often all you need to quickly and securely find a Bail Agent. One of the better sites is 1800Libertad.com. Visit us online or call 1-800-Libertad (1-800-542-3782). Agents are available 24/7 and are eager to match you with the Bail Bondsman you need.

Being in jail or the custody of ICE can be one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. It is also extremely difficult for family and friends. If the person being held is granted the option of bond and they can afford to pay the bond, they are allowed to leave custody while awaiting trial. While some courts do offer a cash bond and many even allow a person to pay only a percentage to release someone on bond, that’s not true of every court.

In such cases, a Bail Bondsman (sometimes known as a Bail Agent) can be the only way a person can afford bond. Bail Bondsmen are very helpful when it comes to the speedy release of a person from custody. But, in a situation where many of us have no experience and no idea of how things may work, how do you know if you’ve found a good, reputable Bail Bondsman?

You may be tempted to rush into choosing a Bail Agent so that you can get the arrested person out of jail as quickly as possible. However, taking a few moments to carefully evaluate your choices will not cause any harm, and, in fact, may help avoid problems in the future. As with anything you spend your money on, there are good and bad Bail Bondsmen. How do you tell which is which?

The amount of money you will have to pay a Bail Bondsman is fairly standard. Most charge 10-12% of the total bond amount for their services. You may want to think twice about using a bond company that charges significantly more than the industry standard, unless they are offering extra services or there is some extraordinary circumstance. The bond company itself can vary from one man in a questionable office to a fully staffed sleek complex of offices. Either one may be equally effective and professional. Here are a few things to look for to make sure.

• Where did you find them? Do they have billboards or signs everywhere you look? Did you open the yellow pages and pick them from their half page color ad? That’s usually a good sign you’ll be able to reach them when you need them.

• Speaking of reaching them… Did they answer when you called? Were you able to speak to someone right away? Did they answer all of your questions? If this is all new to you, did they offer helpful information to make this difficult process a little easier for you?

• Are they upfront about their fees and what you can expect from your Bail Bondsman?

• Is the Bail Bondsman courteous and helpful? Keep in mind that the Bail Agent will be responsible for making sure a person shows up for court, so he or she may not be overly friendly, but should always be professional, easy to understand, as well as patient and empathetic. They should also be prompt with any required paperwork or other items that you or the court may need.

Consider using an online service to find your Bail Bondsman. Visit us at 1800Libertad.com or call us at 1-800-Libertad (1-800-542-3782). Let us do your research for you. We have only reputable, licensed Bondsmen for you to choose from.

Has someone you know gotten into some trouble and been taken into custody? He or she may be allowed to bond out of custody by the judge or magistrate. If that’s the case, there are a few different types of bond that he or she may be given.

Perhaps the most common type of bond is a Surety Bail Bond. These bonds generally require some kind of collateral to secure the bond amount. You may have to offer the title to property or have cash or other possessions that have value that is at least equal to the amount of the bond. In general, most people use a bail bondsman (also called a bond agent) for this type of bond.

Cash Bonds are also becoming more common, and indeed, some states have started using cash bonds almost exclusively for the majority of cases. While it is often difficult for most people to quickly raise the necessary amount for the entire amount of a cash bond, the court may only ask for a percentage of the bond in cash up front.

Federal Bail Bonds are required when someone is accused of a federal crime. A Federal Bail Bond tends to be much higher than a bond for another type of crime, and a professional, licensed bail bondsman can be invaluable in this situation because these often come at a very high cost.

Your loved one may also qualify for a Personal Recognizance Bond. In this type of bond, nothing is needed but his or her signature and promise that they will show up to the proceedings as mandated by the court. This type of bond is rare, and a person would need to show significant ties to the community in order to receive it.

If the person is an immigrant to this country, they may also find themselves with an Immigration Bond. These types of bonds are often more expensive, and quite a bit more complicated than other kinds of bond. A bail agent can be very helpful in this confusing situation, but it is very important to make sure that the agent you choose has experience securing Immigration Bonds and truly understands what’s needed.

No matter what type of bond your loved one is given by the court, a licensed, professional bail bondsman can help. He or she will take the time to explain things to you and let you know exactly what’s needed to get your loved one released from custody. At 1800Libertad.com, all of our agents are licensed and experienced in the types of bonds your loved one may be given. Visit us online or call us at 1-800-Libertad (1-800-542-3782) today and let us know how we can help.

A loved one’s incarceration can be very stressful on everyone involved. Whether they are guilty or innocent isn’t determined until they get their time in court. So what happens before then?

When he or she is arrested because they are suspected of a crime, they’ll usually be taken into custody immediately. The police will read your loved one his or her rights, photograph him, and take his fingerprints. If he or she was arrested without a warrant, then a magistrate will have to make a ruling within the first 48 hours of his or her arrest to see if there is probable cause to charge him or her. When someone is arrested with a warrant, this step is unnecessary because the judge who issued the warrant has already made a determination on probable cause.

When a person does go before the magistrate or judge, he or she will find out if they are eligible to be released from custody while awaiting trial. The judge will decide if they will allow the accused to leave custody with just a Signature Bond or require a Secured Surety or Money Bond.

The Bail Bondsman

If your loved one is required to post a Secured Surety or Money Bond, it’s often impossible to come up with the total amount you need on your own. That’s where a licensed bail bondsman like those at 1800Libertad.com becomes useful.

A bail bondsman has a standing agreement with the court to be able to post bond to assure the authorities that a defendant will appear in court as scheduled. In general, a bondsman charges a 10-12% fee based on the amount of bail required. For example, if someone is issued a $1000 bond, you would be required to pay between $100 and $120 to the bail bondsman for his services. Whether or not a person is ultimately prosecuted, this fee will not be refunded.

Because the bail bondsman puts up the security for the bond, they must pay the court the total amount of the bail if the defendant flees or does not show up for court. If the person does try to run or does not show up for court as required, you will be responsible for paying the bail bondsman the full amount of the bond.

If you or someone you know needs a licensed, professional bail bondsman, visit us at 1800Libertad.com or call us at 1-800-Libertad (1-800-542-3782).

The law is very clear on the subject of illegal immigrants and employment in the United States. The two are not supposed to mix. Though employers are not supposed to hire illegal aliens, there has been a real military like “don’t ask don’t tell” policy in place in many job markets. In some areas, immigrant workers are sought after and prized for their work ethic and willingness to work hard – whether they are in the country legally or not.

Employers either do not ask a person’s immigration status or make certain concessions – paying by cash, for example, or not checking social security numbers – even if it may be morally ambiguous as to whether what they’re doing is in any way illegal. The opportunity for hard working cheap labor is often more appealing than any law could be threatening.

And while there has always been the threat of workplace raids to find immigration law violations, they more often than not resulted in the arrest of illegal aliens and nothing more.  With the Department of Homeland Security’s newest campaign, however, the latest investigations will target the people who employ illegal aliens and not just the illegal workers themselves.

This has many employers concerned and the threat of fines or jail time has led many employers to beef up their employment policies. Companies who accepted incomplete or improperly filled out I-9 forms can be fined up to $1100 for each form, and those who willfully hire illegal aliens (or even those who suspect employees may not be legal but ignored the signs) can be jailed for violating the immigration law.

The Obama administration believes that by targeting the employers who hire illegal immigrants, they can stem the tide of illegal immigration into the United States. While this may very well be true, it also brings up another point. Will employers be so afraid of possible jail time that they may completely avoid hiring Latino workers even if they are in the country legally?

The Department of Homeland Security sent out more notices to companies they intended to audit in one day than previous administrations sent out in one year. No one knows the true impact this will have on employers just yet. One thing that is clear, though, is that the Obama administration is going to be tougher on illegal alien employment than any other administration so far.

If you or a loved one is caught in an employment raid or any other immigration related incident, you will need to know what to do, and may need someone to help guide you through the very confusing steps of immigration law. To speak to a licensed bail bondsman who is trained in the different types of immigration bonds, call 1-800-Libertad (1-800-542-3782) or visit us at http://www.1800libertad.com/. We are available 24/7.

On July 28, 2010, a judge ruled on Arizona’s highly controversial immigration law and blocked several key parts of the proposed law.

US District Court Judge Susan Bolton of Phoenix Arizona issued a temporary injunction blocking the parts of the law that would require police and other public officials to determine the immigration status of people they lawfully stop – particularly if they suspect they may be illegal aliens. The injunction came just hours before the law was to take effect, and handed the much embattled Obama administration one of its only wins so far in the first stage of what is expected to be a lengthy legal battle.

Bolton also struck down another part of the Arizona law that would seek to make it a state crime for legal immigrants to neglect to carry immigration documents with them at all times, and found two other provisions of the proposed law to be unconstitutional.

While she did make it clear that the court was not disregarding Arizona’s attempt to control illegal immigration and the resulting increase in crime, she stressed that the types of provisions in the current law in Arizona were not the public interest. Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona promises a swift appeal.

Though the injunction is temporary, and must go to trial, it is unlikely that the resulting permanent injunction would be any different. There may be a large amount of public support behind the Arizona law, and it is true that roughly half of aliens stopped for entering the country illegally are found and detained at Arizona’s border, but there is also a percentage of people who believe that, while Arizona’s law seeks to save the state from increased illegal immigration, that law is going about it unconstitutionally.

No matter what happens with the injunction and the resulting legal battles, and no matter which side is ultimately triumphant, there is no doubt that it is even more critical than ever to know what to do in case you or a loved one is arrested for an immigrant status related offense. For advice, information on the types of bonds you or your loved one may be offered and to find a licensed immigration bondsman, you can call 1-800-Libertad (1-800-542-3782) or visit us at http://www.1800libertad.com/.

Simply put, an immigrant is someone who has entered a country from another country for the purpose of becoming and remaining a permanent resident of the new country. What becomes much less simple, though, is trying to determine who is a legal immigrant and who is what’s often called an “illegal alien” – and what the difference is between the two.

An illegal alien is a person who has entered the country without the valid, legal papers required to become a citizen or a person who has stayed in the country after their temporary or limited duration legal papers have expired. There are certain advantages afforded to legal immigrants that a person who entered or stayed in a country illegally would not have access to.

While all people – illegal or legal – should have access to basic human rights and should never be subjected to discrimination, lack of due process, or the absence of basic emergency medical care, there are some city and state governments who would deny anyone who is in the country illegally any kind of public and some private benefits. This includes public education for children of illegal aliens, public assistance for illegal immigrants living below the poverty level, and even worker’s compensation coverage should an undocumented non-citizen become hurt on their job.

While it may be relatively simple to find out in theory what rights an illegal immigrant may be denied, in practice, it is much more difficult to determine. As a point of fact: aliens are not legally allowed to hold a job in a country where they are not a citizen and do not have a legal work visa that allows them access to employment. In actual practice, though, the illegal immigrant population makes up quite a significant portion of the workforce in some cities and towns. So if an undocumented alien holds a job – even illegally – and pays taxes on his earnings, should he be denied the basic benefits those taxes often help pay for? There are ardent supporters for both sides of that weighty and often confusing debate.

There are also often legal ramifications for not having the proper paperwork if an illegal non-citizen is caught during the commission of a crime or, in some areas, is simply stopped during a routine traffic stop. If a city is not a sanctuary city, public officials may have the right to ask for immigration status and may even start deportation proceedings or involve the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

If you or someone you know is an illegal alien and has been arrested or is in the custody of the ICE, there is help. 1-800-Libertad.com (1-800-542-3782) can assist you with Immigration Bonds and Criminal Bail Bonds, and can help you through the often complicated and confusing steps of helping a loved one who has been detained because of their citizenship status. For more information, call 1-800-Libertad (1-800-542-3782) or visit: http://www.1800libertad.com/.

Started as a public policy in Los Angeles in 1979, cities began designating themselves as sanctuary cities in the 1980s. That policy was developed to protect illegal immigrants by preventing police from asking about immigration status when someone is arrested. Today, the policy has expanded to include other practices, as well.

While these practices may be made by law (de jure practices), they can also be simply from habit (de facto practices). In general, any city that does not allow municipal funds or municipal resources to be used to enforce federal immigration laws is considered a sanctuary city.

Participating Cities

These American cities have all put ordinances in place banning police officers and other city employees from asking people about their immigration status: New York City; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Santa Ana; Salt Lake City; Dallas; Houston; Austin; San Diego; Detroit; Jersey City; Minneapolis; Denver; Baltimore; Seattle; Miami; Portland; New Haven; and Portland, Maine.

These are not the only participating sanctuary cities, but are some of the largest.

Political Blocking of Sanctuary Cities

Not everyone is happy with the idea of sanctuary cities. Politicians routinely introduce legislation seeking to block the formation or continuation of sanctuary cities. These Acts and other legislation range from making it illegal to block municipal workers from reporting immigration status to allowing deportation for even the smallest of crimes all the way to making illegal immigration status a felony.

Even in cities where public policy or law is contrary to the existence of sanctuary cities, some larger metropolitan areas continue to have unofficial sanctuary city practices in place.

How Do I Know If I Live in a Sanctuary City?

Cities without political sanctions and that have formal, written sanctuary policies are often the easiest to identify because written policy is a matter of public record. A quick records search at your local political resource will often turn up evidence of any official sanctuary policies in place. Officials may even publicize their city’s sanctuary status.

Cities with unofficial sanctuary policies can be much harder to find. You may have to rely on word of mouth or telltale news stories or political items. Do news reports of violent crime or even traffic stops reference illegal immigrants or mention deportation or the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)? Do public officials routinely employ illegal immigrants for labor on government projects? Do those officials complain about unfair or improper immigration legislation? If so, then you most likely live in a city with unwritten sanctuary policies.

What do I do if I’m Arrested in a Non-Sanctuary State?

There is help. If you are arrested in a non-sanctuary state or find yourself in trouble with the ICE, you may still be eligible to be bonded out of custody while you await your trial. A bail bondsman that specializes in immigration bonds will have the specific information you need to know your rights and your options. For more information and our current agents, please visit www.1800libertad.com/find-an-agent/ or call us at 1-800-LIBERTAD (1-800-542-3782). Agents are available 24/7 to assist you.