Regardless of what crime you have committed, bailing out of jail is just the first step towards clearing your name or turning over a new leaf. If you've been involved with the law in the past, making a good faith effort to change your life can go a long way towards showing the courts you really want to change this time around. Even though it's not always easy, the best way to seek a positive outcome in any court case is to truly want to change. By taking the following three self-improvement steps, you'll both improve your life and show the courts that you can be a responsible, contributing member of society this time around.
Keep a Low Profile
It may seem obvious to tell you to stay out of trouble. After all, trouble is likely what brought you to require a bail bond in the first place, right?
The reality for most people with a criminal record just isn't that cut and dry. Staying away from obvious trouble isn't always enough. Start weighing each situation you are in, on a daily basis, and determine whether or not the situation is inherently risky to your straight and narrow path.
Whether it's hanging out with the boys or taking a walk in a high-risk area at night, if it puts you in the path of danger, you could end up in a situation that compromises your desire to stay on the straight and narrow. It's far better to avoid these situations than to recover from them afterwards.
Certain situations are always inherently risky. As a general rule, stay away from drinking establishments or parties. You may be tempted to take part, or you could get pulled into someone else's drama while you're there.
Don't drink, smoke, or take anything yourself other than a doctor's prescription. Not only could it cloud your judgement, you could be tested at any time. A failed drug test is enough to nullify a bail order.
Also, don't forget that it doesn't always have to be you committing the crime for you to experience the consequences. Even being present when a crime is committed can make you guilty by association. All it takes is for one argument to escalate to an assault, and you could find your bail revoked and your chances at a successful outcome in court nullified.
Seek Out Counseling
Entering therapy or counseling isn't just for people with diagnosed mental health concerns. Many therapists recommend talk therapy to help mitigate the effects of stress--and being arrested or charged with a crime is certainly a stressful situation.
Working one-on-one with a therapist will show the courts just how dedicated you are to correcting the issues that led you to being charged in the first place.
If you have anger issues, consider signing up for anger management classes. If you suffer from depression, speak to a therapist about healthier ways to moderate your emotions. Even if you are proven innocent, Managing stress is an important life skill. You'll develop beneficial life skills that will carry you through your life long into the future.
If your therapist believes that you may have a mental health condition, don't scoff or blow the diagnosis off. There is no shame in being mentally ill--in fact, an estimated 356,000 prisoners in the United States suffer from an identified condition. Showing a willingness to seek treatment goes a long way to show the court that you can be responsible for your own health.
As a final note, your therapist may be able to speak in your defense in court if you are a person with mental health or addiction problems. He or she may speak on your overall culpability or whether or not your issues contributed to the crime. Your lawyer may also choose to call on your therapist as an expert witness, or he may call them up to verify your progress in therapy.
Get a Job
Gaining employment is an excellent way to show that you want to become a contributing member of society. This is particularly important if you have a long history of unstable employment, or if you have never held a job at all. Showing the courts that you can live a stable, productive life is extremely important.
Unfortunately, businesses tend to be hesitant about hiring anyone with a past criminal record.
If you are finding it difficult to secure gainful employment, you're not alone. Most ex-cons face intense discrimination regarding their criminal past when applying for jobs. There's a significant amount of research that identifies just how valuable employment is to successful reintegration, but convincing employers to risk their business isn't always easy.
So what can you do if you find people just aren't hiring?
Firstly, never lie about your history.
While you might get the position, lying can result in job loss and may even end in fraud charges. That places you in a worse situation than you were in to begin with.
Even if it's tempting, resist the urge to lie just to get in the door.
Whenever possible, attach a brief note stating that you'll be happy to explain your history in person. Employers are far more likely to acquiesce to hiring you in person. This also gives you the opportunity to express your desire to change.
Next, sign up with any local hiring or temp agencies. Often, temp agencies know exactly which local employers are more likely to hire you in the first place. You'll save both time beating the street and the heartache of repeated rejection, even though you may find yourself working multiple short jobs over time.
Seek Benefits and Volunteer Instead
Finally, if you've tried all of these methods and you still can't find employment, consider seeking benefits instead. Once you receive your benefits, don't give up and languish until your court date--offer your services on a volunteer basis within your community.
Churches, drop-in centers, shelters, community gardens, and food banks are all excellent places to start. You'll gain important work experience while volunteering and showing the courts that you can be a productive member of society
You might even discover that it's possible to feel good about yourself without turning to any of your old habits.
Turning over a new leaf takes courage, effort, and dedication, but if you stick with it, it's sure to be the best decision you've made. Above all else, stay in close contact with your probation officer, bail bondsman, and support network until your case is completely resolved. For questions about your bail bonds, or to consult with a bail bondsman regarding your court case, contact your local office today.
Share31 August 2015
One thing I have always been good with is money. Even in high school, I always had a savings from my allowance and from working for the neighbors. I created this blog to help other young people understand the importance of financial responsibility even at a young age. If we start our adult lives knowing about financial responsibility, we can make it further in our lives before we suffer from the devastation of financial mistakes that can take years and years to pay back. Hopefully, what you learn here will help you avoid those financial mistakes and maybe help you recover from the ones you've already made.