The best way to see to it that you get justice is to actively participate in the justice system. Vetting and hiring attorneys, investing in private investigations, and collecting letters of character from others will make it easier to fight a case. If you have a friend who is going through a court case, it may be easy to see the stress that they are under every day that they prepare to go through the legal system. If you bailed a friend out and are actively helping them prepare for their legal defense, it is important to pay attention to their movements. If they appear to be on the verge of running, here are some actions to take.
Connect with their family and friends
Family or roommates are the first people that you should go to if you suspect that a friend may try to skip out on bail. Go to the people that they live with first and ask if they have seen any signs that your friend may be preparing to leave and not come back. Signs will include packing up items, selling or pawning more items than usual, quitting jobs, and tying up loose ends such as closing accounts. If there are signs that they will skip out, let the family know the seriousness of the action and enlist them to help talk to your friend.
Be direct with the bondsman
If a person is out on bail, the bondsman will need to know their every move to make sure that they are following the rules of their bond. If you have talked to your friend about the possibility of them skipping bail and they are dodging your questions, you should speak to their personal bondsman. Bail bondsmen have a lot of experience with determining who is likely to skip out of town and what to do in each circumstance. Making the bondsman aware will help get your friend the professional intervention that they need for a wakeup call.
Institute regular check-ins
One of the reasons that people choose to run while they are on bail is because of their fear of jail and lack of emotional support. Check-in with your friend on a weekly basis by having brunch or late-night dinner. Allow them to unload any of their worries on you and help them come up with a practical solution to any problems they are facing with their case or in their daily life. This will help them feel at ease during their criminal case.