Even if your freedom is only temporary, being released on bail after an arrest provides some form of relief. The feeling is just fantastic. No one, even the most notorious outlaw in the world, wants to spend time behind bars. Being free is such a precious thing that nobody is willing to give it away, even in exchange for free board and lodging. You wouldn’t really want to spend a second in there, especially if you’ve done nothing wrong.
Even if you have a pending case, it’s always different to have it resolved while you’re out of jail. It gives you the privilege of awaiting trial in the comfort of your own home. But don’t ever make the mistake of pretending that everything is the same before and after your arrest. Your situation is more sensitive at this point, as there are specific bail conditions that you have to adhere to. Failure to abide by these conditions can lead to the forfeiture of your bail and, worse, might get you rearrested.
To stay safely on the side of the law while you’re out on bail, you should consider these pointers:
Stay Informed
Knowledge is power. Being out on bail means you have to stay connected to your bail bondsman and your defense lawyer to be able to get everything you need to know about your case, including what’s allowed and not. You should always follow the bail conditions and guidelines, especially your court dates. If you have to write them down, do it. This will give you better chances of complying with everything without any issues.
Aside from speaking to your lawyer, you may strive to educate yourself about the bail process and how courts work by reading a bail bonds blog maintained by a reputable bail company.
Be Discreet
You should know that, being the subject of an arrest, any information you give about your case can come back later on to bite you. To be safe, you should avoid talking too much about your case, especially on social media. If you want to say something about it, you should tell it to your lawyer instead.
Avoid Breaking the Law
You were arrested because you probably broke the law, or someone accused you of violating it. Do not complicate your life at this stage by breaking the law while you are on bail. It is an act that both the judge and your bail bond agent can’t afford to pass. If you had the guts to violate the law before your arrest, you should avoid doing it now to enjoy being free.
Continue to Make Money
One of the objectives of granting bail is to allow a defendant (you, for example) to go on with your life, maintain your job, and continue to earn money legally. This can help you and your family, and having some money can certainly help you a lot, especially if you lose your case and eventually go to jail. But if you and your lawyer can defend your case successfully, you will have money to pay off a lot of things, including the premium of the bail bond company and other court expenses.