When the police have enough evidence to believe you committed a crime, they can and will arrest you. The arrest will result in a trip to jail. Your trip to jail can be short or long, depending on the charges you face and the way you handle the situation. The charges you face will require a legal process. You may have the option of getting out of jail now or waiting until you finish your legal process before they release you. If you've never been in this position before, here are several crucial things you should know about your options and rights.

Getting Arrested Initiates a Criminal Charge

When you get arrested, it means two things. One, the police believe you are guilty of a crime. They arrest you to start the criminal process for the crime in question. Two, you have rights when you get arrested. The first right is that you are not actually guilty of the crime until the court proves you are. Therefore, the second part of the process gives you the ability to hire a lawyer to fight your case. You are not guilty of the crime in question at this point, even though it may seem like you are because you are in jail.

You Must Stay in Jail Until You Work Out Your Bail

The purpose of the arrest is to initiate charges against you and hold you accountable for them. Because the Constitution gives you rights, you may have the option of getting out of jail before settling the case. You cannot do this, though, until you work out a bail arrangement with the court. If the charges you face are not severe, the jail may have a bail schedule they will follow to tell you your bail amount. If the charges are severe, or if you are a repeat offender, you may have to first attend a court hearing before you can work out a bail agreement.  

You Have Options for Paying Bail

When you find out the bail amount, you have two options. You can pay the cash or hire a bail bond agent to pay it for you. Those are the only choices you may have at this point.

As you can see, getting arrested is part of the criminal process, but it doesn't mean you have to stay behind bars for the entire case. You can get out sooner. If you need help getting out, call a local bail bond agent for help. Calling a bail bond agent offers the easiest way to get out of jail. Visit the site to learn more.