What Everyone Should Know About Bail Bonds
When a loved one is being held in jail, you are not helpless. Unless the crime is extremely serious, your loved one is very likely to be offered bail. Read on to learn what to know about bail and bail bonds.
How Can I Get My Loved One Out of Jail?
There are at least four different ways for those accused of a crime can get out of jail.
1. Released on own recognizance – no bail is needed.
2. Pay the full amount of the bail using cash – the cash is returned when the accused fulfills the bail requirements.
3. Secure the full amount of the bail using property – the property deed is returned upon bail conditions fulfillment.
4. Use a bail bonding agent to have them released on bail.
How Is Bail Set?
The judge sets the bail and most defendants find out about it at the arraignment. An arraignment is the first court appearance for those arrested and takes place soon after the arrest. An arraignment provides an opportunity to enter a plea and to find out the amount of the bail.
Using a Bail Bonding Agent: How to Pay the Bail
Bail bonding agents allow people to get out of jail without having the pay the full amount of the bail. Bail is set by the judge and it can be hundreds or thousands of dollars. Using a bail bonding agent means having to pay only a small percentage of the bail. For example, if the bonding agency charges a 10% fee, you would only need to pay $100.00 of a $1,000.00 bail cost. Bonding agents generally accept the following for payment of the bond but be sure to ask your bonding agent since this varies:
- Property deeds for real estate
- Stocks and bonds
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Jewelry
- Car titles
- Money orders
It should be mentioned that bail and a bail bond differ not only in that they are less expensive. If you pay the full bail amount, you will be refunded when your loved one obeys all the bail conditions. If you pay a bonding agent, the funds are generally non-refundable.
Before You See a Bail Bonding Agent
Be prepared with the following information before a phone call or a visit your bail bonding agent:
1. The location of your loved one (the name of the facility, city, and state).
2. The criminal charges.
3. The amount of the bail.
Once you provide the bonding agent with this information, you can find out the amount of the bond. To get more information about bail bonds, reach out bail bond services today.
Share