Within the state of Georgia, domestic abuse charges are taken incredibly seriously. Depending on the severity of the case, it can be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony. In some cases, some people may not even know what counts as “domestic violence” by the law and find themselves under arrest. In the event you or a loved one is arrested for domestic violence, understanding how to navigate the bail bond process can be difficult.
24/7 Bail Bonds has been working within the state of Georgia for over 15 years. We’ve helped countless families through the bail bond process after the arrest of a loved one in many different cases. Our experienced bail bond agents are familiar with the laws and the judicial system. When you’re struggling to understand how to navigate the bail bond process after a domestic abuse arrest, 24/7 Bail Bonds can assist.
Domestic Abuse Laws in Georgia
Domestic abuse laws vary from state to state, but throughout the United States, domestic abuse is not restricted solely to spousal abuse. Within the state of Georgia, a domestic abuse arrest can happen in the case of both physical and emotional abuse against any current or former member of a household.
“Another member of the household” includes spouses (current or former), unmarried dating parents (current or former), parents and children (including adopted, foster, and step), siblings, or those currently or formerly living in the same household who do not fall under the previous listings.
Typical charges for domestic abuse include:
- Destruction of property
- Injury
- Stalking
- Emotional, psychological, or verbal abuse
- Criminal threats
- Damaging or restriction of telephone access
- Revenge porn
- Aggravated trespass
In most cases, a first-time charge for domestic abuse will be counted as a misdemeanor, excluding cases where it is severe enough to be pushed to a felony. However, a second arrest for domestic abuse will be considered a felony and will come with an expected increase in penalties, no matter the severity.
Bail Bonds After a Domestic Violence Arrest
The requirements for a pretrial release for domestic violence depend upon three key factors:
- The severity of the abuse
- Use of a weapon
- Prior criminal history
- Flight risk of the accused
- Personal danger to the victim
As domestic abuse cases are taken incredibly seriously within the state of Georgia, the judge may even issue a Temporary Protective Order (TPO). A TPO states that an abuser cannot contact the victim and may even require them to vacate the shared home until the end of the TPO.
Things to Consider After a Domestic Violence Arrest
A first bail bond process can be confusing, and a domestic violence charge can only increase that confusion.
- After an arrest, the arrestee will be booked at a detention facility where their name, fingerprints, and priors will be taken down and processed. Once this is complete, a judge will consider the facts of the case and set a bail amount. If the case is counted as a misdemeanor, this process can occur anywhere from 48 hours for a warrantless arrest to 72 hours for a warranted arrest.
- Once this bail amount is set, the process of obtaining a release can begin. An arrestee can contact a loved one and should get the full name, booking number, where they are currently being held, and the bail amount.
- Once this information has been obtained, you or a loved one can either attempt to pay bail or trust an experienced bail bond agency to handle it.
- Once an arrestee has been released on bail, it’s essential to follow all release requirements to stay in good standing with the court. Missed court dates, violation of TPO, failure to attend court-mandated Family Violence Intervention programs, or a rearrest can result in the forfeiture of bail. (To be rereleased, a defendant must wait for a second bail hearing and fully pay this new bail bond and any accrued fees.)
Getting a Loved One Out Fast After an Arrest
When it comes to getting a loved one out of jail fast, relying on a bail bond agency is the quickest option. A bail bond agency is a company that takes up the responsibility of posting bail for you. By using their prior experience and established relationships with the court system, a bail bond agent is better able to navigate the bail bond process.
Moreover, a bail bond agency is available 24/7, even on holidays. These factors can lead to your loved one getting out of jail within hours of you signing the papers. Out of all the bail bond agencies you can trust, no other agency is as reliable and compassionate as 24/7 Bail Bonds.
We pride ourselves on making the bail bond easy for our clients. Our agents will not only respond quickly but are happy to explain the details of the bail bond process thoroughly. We want you to be confident in your decision to trust us with your loved one’s release.
We serve 13 counties in the state of Georgia and are always available when you need us. Call us now at (912) 526 – 3733 to speak directly with a bail bond agent.