Month: June 2019

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Blogs

The Fourth of July: A Deadly Weekend

The Fourth of July has many implications for Americans nationwide – 150 million hot dogs consumed, 68 million cases of beer cracked open, $825 million dollars spent on fireworks and, unfortunately, more fatal car crashes than any other day of the year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), 40% of all highway deaths between 2007 and 2011 were caused by drunk driving over the Fourth of July weekend.

Over 47 million Americans will travel 50+ miles from their homes over the holiday weekend, 85% of people doing so by car. Taking these stats into consideration, combined with the fact that more beer is sold on Uncle Sam’s birthday than on any other holiday, it’s no surprise we have ourselves a recipe for disaster.

Do you know when you’ve “had too much?” The main problem drivers are facing is failure to recognize how much they’ve truly had to drink. After spending all day chugging beer and freedom, it’s easy to lose track of how much alcohol you’ve really consumed. Save yourself a night in jail and the average $5,000-$25,000 in fees a DUI can cost you – and avoid driving drunk (or even tipsy) this weekend. In a time where rideshare services are so readily accessible to us, there’s really no need to take any risks.

But if you should find yourself with some personal “fireworks”… check out our blog 5 Things to Know if You are Pulled Over for a DUI. As always, A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds is here to help you navigate an arrest 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on holidays. When you find you need a 2nd Chance, give us a call at whichever location best suits your needs.

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Blogs

Picking the Right Bail Bond Company

If you use the internet for everything from ordering food to buying a car, did you know search engines can help you find a reputable bail bond company, too? Be sure to search for companies that work in the jurisdiction where you were charged to come up with a short list of companies to consider. Consult with  your attorney to see what he or she knows about the companies you’ve found. Then, discuss with your lawyer the pros and cons of posting bail quickly, putting up private bail (your own resources, not those of a bail bonding company) or remaining in jail. These decisions are strategic legal actions that can have an effect on your case and should not be made lightly.

If you and your attorney decide to go with a bail bonding company to secure your release, it is critical that you follow a few simple steps to help ensure the best result:

First, take the short list you compiled from the web and begin asking people you trust for a personal referral to a bonding company. That trusted resource may be your attorney, a friend who works in the court system or even your pastor. Look for someone who has personal experience working with the firms you are reviewing.

Second, if you are depending on your attorney for a referral, ask how the relationship with their other clients were with that bonding company, and if they have ever had any issues. Many bonding companies have great relationships with attorneys and work together to ensure the entire process is smooth from start to finish. It is possible your attorney might know more than one bonding company for you to consider. It is important to make contact with these companies and discuss the details of your situation.

Although every bonding company is able to provide the same service of releasing somebody, the quality of service and the relationship after release until the conclusion of the case is absolutely paramount. Just like many other services, you get what you pay for. Finding the cheapest bonding company should not be the #1 priority. That savings could end up costing you more money in the long run when something goes wrong. An easy way to gauge the quality of service is how the company presents themselves when answering the phone or when speaking with you in person.

Third, look for a bail bonding company that has a long track record of service in your area, a solid reputation and a transparent way of doing business. In Georgia, you will be expected to pay a nonrefundable “premium” of up to 15% of the total bail amount to secure the bonding company’s services. If the bail bond company you are considering is not forthcoming about its fees or has charges outside that range, move on to the next name on the list. Keep in mind that charging a security deposit or collateral is sometimes required on top of the nonrefundable premium. This portion of fees are refundable upon the successful completion of the court case. This is similar to when hotels or car rental companies place a temporary hold on a credit card when checking in, but the amount is refunded once checking out.

Fourth, take the time to verify the bail bonding companies’ credentials once you come up with a short list for consideration. For example, visit the Better Business Bureau to see the grades of the companies on your list. This association, whose mission it is to connect consumers with reputable bail bonding companies, grades each registered agent from “A” to “F.” These days, Google reviews are an excellent way of verifying the quality of customer service and the experience to expect. If the company doesn’t have any Google reviews, you should move on to the next one that does.

In addition, local sheriff offices list bail bond agencies on their websites so check the county that charged you to find help. For example, if you have been charged in Fulton County, visit https://www.fultonsheriff.org/bonding-agencies.html. If you have been charged in Cobb County, visit https://www.cobbsheriff.org/bonds/.

 

 

Categories
Blogs

Are You Speeding Towards a Reckless Driving Charge?

The traffic in Atlanta is terrible, and so are many of the drivers, apparently. The national stats even confirm it: Atlanta and Marietta topped the nation’s list of cities with the highest reckless driving rates per capita.

In Georgia, the legal definition of “reckless driving” is operating a motor vehicle with “reckless disregard for the safety of persons and property.” A reckless driving conviction, a misdemeanor in Georgia, adds four points on your driving record and carries with it the possibility of jail time and a $1,000 fine. Consider yourself lucky if the judge in your case offers you the option to enter a nolo contendere plea, which allows you to escape points all together. Be aware, however, that the Georgia Department of Driver Services will record your nolo plea on your Motor Vehicle Record, which will likely trigger a rate hike from your insurer.

In addition, those convicted of reckless driving are often placed on probation, which means being cited for a second such charge can send the driver directly to jail. If you are under the age of 21 at the time you are cited, your license is suspended. Plus, a reckless driving conviction can never be expunged from a driving record. Once convicted of reckless driving, the driver will have to state this fact on all job, college and rental applications as well as other legal forms.

Although these convictions do not usually require jail time, there are certain factors which can increase the chances of jail time, such as a repeat offense; driving carelessly near schools and in neighborhoods and construction areas; or putting other drivers in danger.

A reckless offense often involves speeding and even “super speeding,” a more serious form of exceeding the posted limit – being clocked at a rate of 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or at 85 or more on any road or highway in the state.

If you are a chronic speeder or super speeder in Georgia, your aggressive driving could be careening you toward the offense of reckless driving. Slow down now and you can avoid the life-changing consequences of this serious violation.