opinions on whether to bail someone out of jail.

[ncnurseryman]

Just looking for some opinions on this issue. I more or less have my mind made up but it constantly bothers me. So, there is this kid (18-19) that has worked for me a few times. He is a hard worker and we got along really well. However, he has no father, mom is a real piece of white trash. She keeps kicking him out so he bounces from friend to friend. He didn't finish high school, no car, can't keep a job due to "transportation issue" and smokes pot. So, last Wednesday I get a Facebook message from some friend of his saying that the kid asked him to call me to bail him out of jail. Turned out he was arrested for credit card theft, possession of pot and pot smoking pipe. I heard this is the second time he been arrested but can't confirm that. I have tried to give home advice on moving forward with his life but I guess he would rather hang out with his loser friends and smoke it up. As I write this one side says he deserves what he gets but the other side says he always worked hard for me, never did me wrong and I feel like he's been given a bum deal I like. Also, the bond is 1500.00 so to get him out is 225.00 (nonrefundable) and if he didn't show to court I would be liable for the remainder so that alone is something i can't handle if he did skip. So...just curious on other thoughts.

 

[J F]

After a week...maybe.

 

[J F]

And that's only dependent on how much you NEED him for your work, otherwise it sounds like he needs to learn some lessons. (and I hope he's not working anywhere where he can steal from your clients)

 

[PRF]

Just looking for some opinions on this issue. I more or less have my mind made up but it constantly bothers me. So, there is this kid (18-19) that has worked for me a few times. He is a hard worker and we got along really well. However, he has no father, mom is a real piece of white trash. She keeps kicking him out so he bounces from friend to friend. He didn't finish high school, no car, can't keep a job due to "transportation issue" and smokes pot. So, last Wednesday I get a Facebook message from some friend of his saying that the kid asked him to call me to bail him out of jail. Turned out he was arrested for credit card theft, possession of pot and pot smoking pipe. I heard this is the second time he been arrested but can't confirm that. I have tried to give home advice on moving forward with his life but I guess he would rather hang out with his loser friends and smoke it up. As I write this one side says he deserves what he gets but the other side says he always worked hard for me, never did me wrong and I feel like he's been given a bum deal I like. Also, the bond is 1500.00 so to get him out is 225.00 (nonrefundable) and if he didn't show to court I would be liable for the remainder so that alone is something i can't handle if he did skip. So...just curious on other thoughts.

I can understand how you feel torn, but you answered your own question.. If the $1500 is gonna hurt you, you have to let him sit there..

 

[ncnurseryman]

I only use him once in a while for the bigger jobs and funny enough he was suppose to help me two weeks ago for a tree removal job and he didn't show up. Ran off to the beach instead.

 

[J F]

(It's $225). I wouldn't base it at all on the $ amount (unless of course it was HUGE money, then no way, no how). But it sounds like the kid needs a serious wake-up call, and just getting him out of the trouble he looked for isn't going to do much in that arena.

 

[brin]

Fool me once shame on you ....Fool me twice shame on me...Just a good credo to go by....Look at what you posted about him...Yikes....This is not the kind of guy that is ready to be trusted or reformed. I sure would not bail him out...I would tell him his job is ready and waiting once he gets out. Spare yourself the grief...he has already fooled society a bunch of times ...why would you want to lose that money...You would feel awful. :2cents:

 

[Jstpssng]

It doesn't sound like a case where he just messed up, he's headed down a rocky road. If you can't depend on him to show up for a job, do you really think he'll worry about you loosing $1500?

 

[ncnurseryman]

That's what I was thinking too. I know I would never see the 225.00 again but I could see something happening and end up getting stuck for the full 1500.00.
.

 

[J F]

Then I would definitely would not do it. Sounds like you're a nice guy that has tried to help him, but no use screwin' yourself over it.

Let him get a dose of where his path is leading him.