Expert: Mark J. Siegel - 1/24/2009

Question
 Our bail detention system only allows bail to be paid in cash in person, or by bailbond.
 What if I refuse to pay bail-bondsmen for their racket and rediculous fees (10% non-refundable where I live), and have the FULL amount of the bail, available in cash, in the bank, ready to hand over but:

1. They take all your property upon booking including your wallet with your atm/credit cards.

2. ATMs only allow a maximum withdrawl per day (a fraction of that needed for even a DUI = ~$2500).

3. You don't trust anyone else with your bank info, can't get your ATM card to them and even if you did, the bank would never let them withdrawl the amount without your ID.

Is there some legal demand that an inmate can make to force them to escort you to the bank to withdrawl in person as required by the bank? I've only heard of a couple which allowed payment in anything other than cash or bailbond?

If you reesort to carrying, say $5000 in cash in your wallet at all times for such ocurrances, will they allow you to access it once they have taken all your property for booking? If one carries that much in cash they tend automatically think you are a drug dealer of terrorist... so WHAT TO DO?  

Answer
Is there some legal demand that an inmate can make to force them to escort you to the bank to withdrawl in person as required by the bank? I've only heard of a couple which allowed payment in anything other than cash or bailbond?
 No you can't foce them.

If you reesort to carrying, say $5000 in cash in your wallet at all times for such ocurrances, will they allow you to access it once they have taken all your property for booking? If one carries that much in cash they tend automatically think you are a drug dealer of terrorist... so WHAT TO DO?

 Yes you can carry cash and use it.