Bail Amount?

Question

My friend just got arrested at Best Buy last night for trying to steal two games, totalling under $150. We picked him up and gave the police $100 because they said that's how much it would cost to get him out. Now, after reading some papers they gave him, it says something like Bail $1000/10% $100. Is he going to have to pay $1000 at court or something? We don't understand this whole process. Thanks.

Also, this is his first time being arrested for anything. The police took the money and put it for the bail amount/deposit. It says so on the paperwork. They said it was a mesdemeanor cause it was under $150 worth of stuff. The actual complaint is titled "Retail Theft".

Answer 1

This is a bond to allow him to leave jail. There are two types. The 10% type you paid and also a cash/property bond where you need to put down the entire amount in cash or turn over property to cover it. The bond is used to guarantee the defendant will show up in court. If not, the bond is forfeited. In your case, if he doe's not show up, you are responsible for the $900 portion of the bond.

Answer 2

You pay bail so he can come home before the trial. You gave money to the police?? I'm not sure I get that. You are in the USA right? Police don't collect money. It does'nt matter how much the games cost. You can be charged with commercial burglary for stealing anything of any cost. And it is a felony I'm guessing that's the charge. Petit Larceny usually does'nt involve more then a ticket. So read his charges and if it's commercial burglary get a lawyer, you may have more to worry about then 1000 $ he may get some time, heavy fine or both. Lots of things can come into play. If he resisted not just the police but the loss prevention people that made the arrest. If had tools to open the lock cases, or if he didn't have any or enough money on him to pay for the games these things can cause him trouble.

Answer 3

No, it just means that you live in a state where they have the 10% bail bond.....his bond is actually $1000 with 10% to apply.....so if it were $5000 then you would pay $500 etc etc etc.......and if he/she follows the rules of the bond all will be ok, but if while out on bond and he/she violates the rules they could revoke his bond and either hold he/she in jail pending the out come of the case or make the bond an actual $1000 so when he/she goes to court etc etc....plea guilty or not guilty (and usually) before it ever gets to a sentencing etc they will make a deal...(plea bargin) .Shop lifting is serious offense (not a felony at this point) but more than likely he/she will get court supervision or probation for a predetermined amount of time and a fine...but probably will not be $1000

Answer 4

When the bail is $1,000.00, for example, that has nothing to do with the case at all; it's only to get out of jail while waiting for your court date to come up. You can either pay the $1,000.00 and get out and then get all that money back after your court case is disposed of (completed), or you can pay a 10% fee to a Bondsman along with collateral worth the $1,000.00 Bond that they are actually posting on your behalf. If you don't show up in court, they keep your collateral, but either way you lose the 10% fee that they charged to post that bond.

Answer 5

bail is just a private contract with a bailbondsman that you promise to appear for court. If you wanted to post the 1k bond down at your county courthouse you could have. Instead you hire a bondsman to do the paperwork, travelling, and services. So now you have to pay back the bondsman for the work he has done. Eventually all of his court cost, jail time, and probation/community service will total more that $1000...