HomeLifestyleHow to Help a Family Member Who is in Custody

How to Help a Family Member Who is in Custody

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The law covers various aspects, and in one way or another, you might find yourself in the hands of law enforcement. You do not need to commit a big offense to end up in custody. Sometimes the slightest mistake will have you locked behind bars. Apart from yourself, your kin might be in this situation, and it’s up to you to rescue them. Dealing with law enforcement can be upsetting and annoying. Here are some tips to rescue your loved one from this situation.

Hire an Attorney

Immediately you get the information about the detention of your kin, reach out to a defense attorney. Getting an attorney as soon as possible helps mitigate a custodial interrogation and protects the rights of your beloved. Remember to give the attorney true information regarding the arrest, including where they are being held. The attorney will follow up and respond to law enforcement questions or in case your member is presented in a lineup. Two solutions are available if the arrest has been executed and involves state law enforcement. The first option is a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT), and the second one is arraignment in court. In the current bail laws in the U.S., an attorney can influence the release option and reduce the amount of time an inmate can stay in Custody. A DAT is recommendable since it involves directly releasing your family member with instructions about their court appearance. If a DAT does not work, the only option is processing through central booking, where your beloved one will appear in court. Depending on the court’s schedule, it can take 12 to 24 hours. On the other hand, if the arrest was by federal law enforcement, the only way out is arraignment in a court of law.

Bail Bonds

The solution here is to have your kin out of prison within the shortest time possible. Among the fastest ways out is by payment of bail. The amount to be paid is dependent on the nature of the arrest. Sometimes the arrest might be when you are not in the position to raise the needed amount. In this situation, you can reach out to your immediate bail bond service provider for help. For instance, you can find a company that can help you with bail bonds in Orange County in order to rescue your loved one.

Financial Support

Sometimes the efforts to release your loved one from jail might not bear fruit, and they will have to be locked up. In this context, they won’t have a source of income, and the best thing you can do is to support them financially. The government support for inmates is limited to basic needs such as food and shelter. Therefore, giving them money will help them acquire staff beyond essentials such as airtime, stamps, and toiletries. The law allows depositing funds into the inmate accounts to access the things they need for some comfort while serving their sentence. However, the amount deposited in these accounts is regulated and cannot exceed certain amounts. You should learn about the money rules in the prison your loved one is locked in so that you don’t end up breaking the law and subject them to more consequences.

Dealing with Medical Issues

Your kin might have a history of health issues or encounter some while in jail. The first measure you should take is to let the jail staff know. Alternatively, if the jail staff is unaware, your alienist should contact them. No law restricts inmates from sharing information concerning their health, but some medical practitioners might be unwilling to attend to them due to the fear of the unknown. In this scenario, having a family doctor can help save on many things. However, remember to follow the protocol while reporting on this issue. You should write it down on paper for record purposes before following up with a phone call. Your letter should include details about the health issue your loved one is having, a prescription for medication, your contact and that of your doctor.

Conclusion

It hurts to have your family behind bars but always try your best to rescue them. Ensure you are there whenever they need you and offer all kinds of support, including emotional and financial support. Therefore, the next time you have a loved one in custody, remember to consider the above tips.

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