Get Bail, Leave Jail

America’s Guide to Hiring a Bondsman, Navigating Bail Bonds, and Getting out of Custody before Trial

Non-Fiction - Social Issues
144 Pages
Reviewed on 09/16/2021
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

S.J. Plotkin is the founder of Angels Bail Bonds, a prominent Southern California bail bonds service. As a third-generation participant in the legal and criminal justice system, he brings many decades of experience assisting the release of tens of thousands of inmates from jail before trial. Since 1958, his family has handled some of the largest bail bonds in the United States and has worked hard to develop creative and caring solutions for uncommon client situations.

If you or a loved one gets arrested in California and needs expert help from a seasoned bail agent, get in touch at www.angelsbailbonds.com

    Book Review

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Get Bail, Leave Jail by S.J. Plotkin is a non-fiction book with the tagline “America’s Guide to Hiring a Bondsman, Navigating Bail Bonds, and Getting out of Custody before Trial.” The book is exactly that: a no-nonsense comprehensive resource for those who find themselves thrown in at the deep end and into the world nobody ever wants to be in. While the book would obviously be helpful to anyone, it is primarily tailored to those on the outside of a cell, although anyone on the inside with access will find it helpful as well. A massive range of scenarios, advice, and assistance is offered in a virtual encyclopedia of information.

Get Bail, Leave Jail can be a bit heavy for a reader who has not had any experience navigating the justice system, but the whole point of S.J. Plotkin's work is because there are so many people out there with the same inexperience. It is for this reason that Plotkin's book is so important. The author narrates with authority and a level of understanding that enhances their credibility, and as a reader, I trusted them completely. The most interesting parts to me were the segments on the different types of bonds, but what stood out as the most relevant is in the section titled Avoiding Juridical Mistreatment. This covers what the rights of the accused are and how to make certain they are correctly implemented, writing: “If an inmate does not know their rights or have the aid of both a good lawyer and bail agent, overzealous police and prosecutors can take advantage of them.” This is the book nobody wants but everybody needs and is probably the most comprehensive guide I have read.

Tammy Ruggles

Get Bail, Leave Jail: America’s Guide to Hiring a Bondsman, Navigating Bail Bonds, and Getting out of Custody before Trial by S.J. Plotkin is an extremely useful and informative book on how to access bail and the right kind of bondsman should you ever need to. This doesn't have to apply to yourself. What if you get a call from a loved one in the middle of the night who's found themselves in legal trouble and needs help with getting bail? Would you know what to say or do? Would you have a basic understanding of how it works? Instead of floundering or making the wrong move, you will have some guidance if you read this book.

Plotkin has packed a lot of information into this compact guide. His succinct style and straightforward information make it a breeze to read. This is a roadmap you will want to read from cover to cover and keep on hand just in case of a legal emergency involving possible bail. The author explains everything in layman's terms, like the kind of bail agencies that are available, what questions to ask a bail bondsman, how to get out of jail early, elements of the contracts you could encounter, and what to expect when going to criminal court. The book covers DUIs, traffic tickets, domestic violence, drug possession, shoplifting, trespassing, prostitution, various white-collar crimes, and more. A glossary of legal terms included at the end is also very helpful. For the best advice you'll read this year concerning bail, bondsmen, and related issues, Get Bail, Leave Jail: America’s Guide to Hiring a Bondsman, Navigating Bail Bonds, and Getting out of Custody before Trial by S.J. Plotkin should be first on your reading list.

Edith Wairimu

Get Bail, Leave Jail: America’s Guide to Hiring a Bondsman, Navigating Bail Bonds, and Getting out of Custody before Trial by S.J. Plotkin is a straightforward guide that is useful in understanding how bail works and the role of bail agents. The work begins with an informative introduction that explains the bail basics such as its purpose, the different bail amounts set depending on the charge, and who qualifies for bail. It also explains the role of a bail bond agent. The second chapter handles the events that follow after an arrest, the need to hire a bail agent and a lawyer, and the steps toward a trial with helpful tips provided in each step. Other sections explain different types of bondsmen and what to look out for when hiring one. They also handle what working with a bail agent entails, trial and bond exoneration, the work of bounty hunters, and possible issues they may face when pursuing fugitives and how they can be handled.

Get Bail, Leave Jail tackles a crucial topic that many people find complex and have little available information to refer to. I loved the book’s language which is direct and easy to grasp. A glossary is also provided for the more technical terms which are few in the main text. The explanations are also to the point. The guide is also practical as it delves into everyday examples and considers issues and questions that may arise such as what questions to ask a bail agent before working together. Plotkin includes examples of cases his agency has handled which serve as useful illustrations of possible circumstances that may arise. The guide’s organization is also well thought out. The work examines the court process from the time of the arrest to the trial and other possible outcomes. Get Bail, Leave Jail by S.J. Plotkin is an easy, direct guide on how to navigate bail bonds. The book is concise and its content is practical. Its interior is also well laid out.