If you have a loved one who is in jail, you are probably doing everything that you can to provide emotional support. However, there's a chance that your loved one could use some financial support right now, too. If you are capable of doing so and are interested in helping your loved one out financially, these are a few ways that you can do so.
Post Bond
If your loved one has not yet been sentenced to jail time, there is a chance that you can get him or her out of jail while he or she is waiting to go to trial. You will need to call the jail to find out how much your loved one's bond is; then, you'll need to put down that much money in cash or collateral, which will be returned when your loved one shows up for court. If you don't have enough money to pay your loved one's bond in cash, you can use the services of a bail bondsman. Then, you'll only have to pay up a percentage of the bond in the form of a fee to the bondsman, but you will not receive that money back.
Hire a Lawyer
Your loved one is going to need legal representation. He or she might feel more comfortable with a hired lawyer than a court-appointed lawyer, so consider contacting local defense attorneys to find out about retaining their services for your loved one.
Send Money
Did you know that you can often send money to a loved one who is in jail? Your loved one will be able to spend this money to pay for extra toiletries, snacks and drinks, playing cards and other items that he or she can use in jail. The process of sending money does vary based on the institution in which your loved one is incarcerated, so call ahead before you send any cash. You may be asked to send a check or money order directly to the jail instead.
Pay for Phone Time
Your loved one will probably want phone time to be able to call people. This may be paid for in the form of phone cards, or you might be required to set up a special account. Call the jail to find out what you will need to do to purchase phone time for your loved one.
As you can see, there are various ways that you can provide financial support for an incarcerated loved one. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your loved one has everything that he or she needs while in jail, which can make things a little bit more comfortable during this particularly trying time.
To learn more about things like bail bonds, visit a website like http://absolutebailbond.com/.
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