How To Get Out of Jail

An overview of the booking and bonding process

How Bail is Set

Generally speaking, most defendants are given the opportunity to be released from jail before their court date if they can post bond to ensure their appearance in court. Bond can be set in two ways: By a bond schedule, which applies standard amount to certain charges, or by a judge, who may consider the seriousness of the charge, criminal history, and flight risk.

Paying the Full Amount vs. Using a Bail Bondsman

Once bond has been set on all charges, you have two options. 1: Pay the full bond yourself. If you have the full amount in cash (plus jail fees), you can post the bond yourself. The bond money you post (minus jail fees), will be returned to you after the defendant shows up for all court dates and the case is adjudicated. Most people don’t have thousands of extra dollars laying around, so they go with option 2: Using the services of a bail bondsman. Bayou Bail Bonds can post the bond on your behalf for a fraction of the full amount and get your loved one out of jail quickly.

The Bail Bond Process with Bayou Bail Bonds

Every defendant needs two things to bail out of jail: A cosigner, and the money. We have pages that explain in detail exactly what information is needed, how bond prices are calculated according to state law, and even a bond calculator you can use to get an estimate.

The cosigner is someone who is willing to go on the bond with the defendant to ensure their appearance at all court dates. As long as they show up for all their court dates, the cosigner never hears from us again. If the defendant doesn’t show up and can’t be found to appear for court, both the defendant and the cosigner are liable for the full amount of the bond. In short, if you believe the defendant will show up for court (they don’t have to win, they just have to show up), you should have no problem cosigning for them. If you don’t believe they will show up for court, you should not cosign for them. It’s that simple.

Once you've decided you're willing to co-sign and pay, here's what the process looks like:

Bayou Bail Bonds is a mobile bail bonding company that specializes in remote signatures and payments so you can bail someone out of jail without getting out of bed!

We can take your information over the phone or by email. We'll email the paperwork to you already filled our and ready to sign on your cell phone. (See our page on exactly what information is required.)

You can send your payment on CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, or with your debit or credit card on our website payment portal or over the phone. (Digital payments require a 3.5% processing fee). Please speak to one of our agents directly to confirm pricing before sending payment and include the defendant’s name in the comment section so we know who the payment is for.

If you prefer to fill out the paperwork and pay in cash, we can arrange to meet you at the jail, the courthouse, or someplace convenient to complete the process.

Release from Custody

Once the money is paid and the paperwork is signed and filled out, I can take the bonds and fees to the jail, and they will begin processing the defendant for release. Sometimes, when they’re not busy, this process can take less than 30 minutes, but when they get busy or go on lockdown, it can take a lot longer. An average wait time might be an hour or two, but we’ve seen it take longer. Unfortunately, once the paperwork is submitted, we’re at the mercy of the jail’s process and there’s no way to rush it.

When the jail has processed the release, they’ll call to tell us they’re ready. We’ll call or text you to let you know they’re about to get out. Once we get to the jail and sign their bonds, they will be released. We’ll sit in my car and take care of their side of the paperwork (1 form, usually takes about 5 minutes) and then I’ll drive them out of the jail. You should plan on picking up the defendant in the parking lot at the front of OCC. Other arrangements for transportation and/or drop off may be possible depending on circumstances.

Once someone is out on bond, it is critical that they

Attend every court appearance
Follow any court-ordered conditions

If they miss court, a warrant is issued and the bond is forfeited. That will lead to a new arrest and additional charges.

You don't have to go through this alone!

At Bayou Bail Bonds, we’re not here to judge you – we’re here to help you get through this. We know how overwhelming this process can feel, especially if you’ve never dealt with it before. We’ll guide you through it one step at a time, answer all your questions, and help you get your loved one home as quickly as possible.

If you need help now or just have questions and want to talk about what your options are, call us anytime. We’re here 24/7!