Arrested In Colorado? FAQs for Tourists
The last thing anyone wants when they’re on vacation is to be arrested. If you came all the way from the East Coast to hike in the Rockies and wind up in a jail in Adams County or Denver it not only ruins your vacation but it creates a series of related problems that must be addressed in the proper manner. Failing to do so could brand you a fugitive, permanently damage your record and compromise your personal and professional development. In this post, we’ll look at how a bail bond agent can help you deal with being arrested in Colorado.
So You’ve Been Arrested in Colorado
Let’s say you partied a little too hardy, got behind the wheel of your rental car and were involved in an accident while on vacation in Colorado. What happens now? The first thing is that the police will test your blood alcohol level (BAC) and if it’s deemed to be over the legal limit they’ll take you to jail and determine what charges to level against you.
Those charges will vary depending on the level of your BAC and whether you have any prior DUI convictions. A person with a relatively low BAC and no prior convictions may face a few days in jail, up to two years probation and a fine of several thousand dollars. While a person with a prior DUI may face ten days to a year in jail, up to four years of probation and the revocation of their license for a year, among other things. Those are not numbers anyone on vacation wants to hear.
Obtaining Bail
If you’ve been arrested in Colorado while on vacation your first concern will likely involve posting bail so you can rejoin your family or friends and deal with the charges from outside the walls rather than inside.
If you’ve been arrested on a DUI (an all too common occurrence for tourists) the bail amount in Colorado will usually range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on a variety of things, including whether it’s your first DUI, whether there was an accident and whether anyone else was hurt in that accident.
If you’ve been arrested on a more serious charge bail amounts will be higher, or you may be held over for a bail hearing wherein a judge or magistrate will set bail. Such a hearing must occur within 48 hours of your being arrested.
Working With the Bonding Company
Once you’ve been informed of the bail amount, your first call should be to a bail bond company such as Urban Bail Bonds. They will help secure your release in a timely fashion. Because they offer 24-hour bail bonds they can even get you out of jail in the wee hours of the morning as long as you’re not being held over for a bail hearing or bail has been otherwise refused in your case.
Any money you, a loved one or a friend put up for bail will be returned once the case has reached resolution, provided you did not violate the terms of your bail or miss any court dates along the way. Which brings us to our next point.
Can You Go Back to Your Home State to Await Your Day in Court?
When you are released on bail there will be conditions attached. Depending on the severity of the alleged offense they may be strict and include not leaving the state until you’ve had your day in court. The bail bond agent will make sure you understand the conditions and, if necessary, may recommend a local attorney or other legal resources to help you.
If you were arrested on a misdemeanor you may be able to go back to your home state and have the lawyer stand in for you during any court proceedings. If you are facing felony charges, however, things get more complicated and inconvenient for out-of-staters. That’s because you will likely be forbidden to leave the state and required to personally appear to face the charges against you. That means appearing for the arraignment, any plea hearings, the trial (if one is held) and the sentencing.
The most important thing to remember is that you must abide by the terms of your release whatever they are and you (or your lawyer depending on the charges) must be present for all court dates. Failing to adhere to these rules can result in bail being revoked and a warrant being issued for your arrest.
Living With a Warrant Over Your Head
Some people who are forbidden to leave the state roll the dice and return to their home state gambling that Colorado will pursue extradition. And in many cases, they’re right. However, fleeing will result in any bail money they paid being forfeited and Colorado issuing an arrest warrant that will hang over their head for years. A quick computer check by law enforcement officials or fugitive recovery agents will reveal the warrant and the person may be arrested, regardless of what they were stopped for or what state they were in when they’re stopped.
Contact Urban Bail Bonds
When out-of-staters get arrested in Colorado things can get complicated. The best approach is to stay calm, call Urbain Bail Bonds to obtain affordable bail bonds, and heed the advice of the bail agent. Call Urban Bail Bonds today at (303) 736-2275.