Bail Bond Services in Elizabeth City, NC

Handling All Types of Bail Bonds

Morris Bail Bonding is here to handle all your bail bond needs. Whether it's a misdemeanor, or felony, our team of professionals is ready to assist you.

With years of experience in the industry, we understand the importance of getting you or your loved one out of jail quickly and efficiently. We work tirelessly to navigate the legal process and secure the necessary funds for your release.

Understanding Bail Bonds in North Carolina

Morris Bail Bonds prides ourselves on our ability to handle a wide range of bail bonds. Whether you're facing a DUI charge, drug possession, or even an immigration-related issue, we have the expertise to assist you. Our commitment is to treat each case with the utmost care and attention, ensuring that your rights are protected throughout the process.

What Are Bail Bonds?

In the simplest terms, bail is an agreement between the court and the defendant. The defendant agrees to show up to all their scheduled court dates, and the court decides to return the defendant’s money once the trial is finished. If bail is set at $10,000, the defendant can pay that amount to the court in exchange for being released from prison. If the accused doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain and misses even one court date, they will immediately forfeit the $10,000, and a warrant will be issued for their arrest. However, if they do show up for all the hearings, they will get all their money back at the end of the trial, even if they’re convicted.

What Are The Different Types of Bail Bonds?

It's important to understand the different types of bail bonds and how they work.

Cash Value Bonds

In most cases, the judge will order the defendant to pay a set bail amount or otherwise remain in jail until at least the end of his trail. There are three types of cash value bonds.

• Cash Bond – This is when you pay the entire bail amount in cash. Some courtrooms also accept check and credit card payments.
• Property Bond – If the defendant doesn't have the full bail amount in cash, the court may allow him to use a property bond. With this type of bond, you can use property, such as a home, as collateral instead of cash.
• Surety Bond – This option is ideal for those who don't have the cash upfront to pay for bail. By working with a bail bondsman, you will be required to pay a fraction of the bail amount instead of the full amount. The bail agency will work with you to secure the release of your loved one.

Non-Cash Bonds

In some cases, the courts may not require a defendant to pay any bail amount.

• Release on Citation (Cite Out) – Rather than issuing an arrest warrant, the office delivers a citation to the defendant detailing the date and time of the court hearing.
• Release on Own Recognizance – In less severe cases, where the defendant is not a flight risk, the judge can waive the bail amount and release the defendant on his own recognizance.

Why Bail Is Crucial in North Carolina

Defendants who aren’t released on bail have a harder time preparing their defense. They are also imprisoned as punishment for the duration they’re forced to remain in prison. If you are facing incarceration, time is of the essence and decisions should not be made lightly. If a client is being charged with a serious offense and poses a potential danger to the community and/or poses a flight risk, the price for their bond may be high or even denied. Fortunately, bail is typically available and affordable in a majority of criminal trials.

Bail Bonds Process in North Carolina

The following are the general steps of the bail bonds process:

Arrest

When a person is arrested and booked for a crime, they now become a defendant.

Jail

Defendants wait for their arraignment or their first court appearance while they are in jail.

The Arraignment

The defendant will have a hearing where the judge will set the amount of money that must be paid for the defendant to be released from jail.

Payment

Once the bond is set by the judge, the full amount must be paid in order for the defendant to be released from jail. The individual or their friends or family may pay.

Bail Bondsman

If the defendant is unable to pay the full amount, a bail bondsman can help. When hiring a bail bondsman, the defendant will only have to pay a fraction of the total bond amount.

Release

Once the bond is paid, the defendant will be released from jail and is usually able to continue their daily life and activities as usual.

Court Appearances

For the bond to remain in effect, the defendant is required to appear at all required court proceedings. Failure to appear or abide by all court requirements in the defendant’s case could put the defendant’s freedom at risk as well as the money or collateral that has been put up for the bond.

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Learn about the Do's & Don'ts of the bail bonds process in North Carolina!

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Bail Process in NC

As soon as you enter police custody after an arrest, one of the first steps you must take is to post bail and get released before you must show up to trial. However, you must first appear in front of a judge, who will set your bail amount based on the details of your arrest, the severity of the charges against you, and your criminal history.

Once your bail amount is set, the following are several steps to take to get out of jail faster:

• Call a bail bondsman – A bail bondsman can help you get started with the process and determine the steps you must take to successfully post bail.
• Collect relevant information – You must have all the information about your charges in hand to ensure you are released as quickly as possible. You need to understand your charges in detail, your inmate number, and other important facts to help the bail bondsman begin the process of bailing you out.
• Learn the bail schedule – Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, the type of charge you’re facing is typically associated with a set bail amount.
• Invoke your rights – You have the right to remain silent and only speak to law enforcement and court officials while a lawyer is present. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court must appoint one for you.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Bail Bondsman

You want to ensure you are in good hands, so it’s important to ask the following questions before hiring a bail bondsman.

What is the Cost of Bail in NC?

The costs of bail bonds have many misconceptions. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to pay the entire bail amount to be released from jail. If you are limited on cash, you may be able to get a bail bond by using collateral. In most cases, you can make bail for the fraction of the total, court-ordered bond amount.

At Morris Bail Bonds, every client receives a free initial consultation in which you can fill out our bail bonds application. The initial payment is made to us and is 10% of the bail, as is required by law.

Are You Licensed?

You want to ensure the bail bondsman you choose is reliable and licensed. The state of North Carolina requires all bail bondsmen to be licensed. A bail bondsman must meet strict guidelines and complete a background check as well as all required training in order to obtain their license.

24/7 Availability

We are ready to post bail anywhere in Elizabeth City, no matter what the time or day. Morris Bail Bonds can make financial services available to those incarcerated as well as their family members.

Morris Bail Bonding strives to bring families back together, and we will be in contact to ensure you maintain an affordable bond.