Posting bail means you promise to appear for your set court date without the need of being held in custody. But what happens in the meantime? What do you do with all that time without going crazy? Here’s a couple of things to keep in mind while you’re waiting for your court date.
Relax
While it may be tempting to go home and pick up your life where you left off, after posting bail it’s smarter to take some time out and take a deep breath. Don’t make any hasty decisions. It may be a little difficult, but divert your focus on something else. Until you get the opportunity to speak to a lawyer or judge there is very little you can do, and there’s no need to drive yourself crazy over a matter that will be addressed in court soon enough.
Follow the rules
The most important thing to keep in mind after posting bail: do not contact the other party. Do not contact anyone related to the other party, or, for good measure, do not contact anyone else who may even know the other person’s name. This may seem a little obvious, but sometimes the urge to pick up the phone and call other people to explain yourself of clear your name can be uncontrolable. When in doubt, speak to your lawyer first, and remember that anything you do to make matters worse or better will only affect you, which leads me to:
Stay in town
Even if it is a very small town such as Ansonia. The time after posting bail is not the time to go on vacation, not unless you want to be considered a fugitive of the law. Cancel your plans. No matter how important they may seem, no travel plans are worth risking incarceration. Give a trusted person your passport and car keys if you can’t trust yourself. And remember: this too shall pass. Following these simple rules will allow for the legal system to work accordingly and will keep you from losing your money.