Many people arrested for a criminal offense must be bailed out of jail to keep their jobs and support their families. When posting bail, there are two choices available: paying with cash or utilizing the services of a bail bond company.
A bondsman charges a fee (usually 10% of the total amount) to help someone post a bail bond for release from jail. They also require collateral such as a car, house, or jewelry.
What is a bail bond?
If a person gets arrested and is awaiting trial, their loved one can provide the court with a bail bond to ensure their release from jail. When determining the bail amount, the judge considers the crime’s severity and the defendant’s previous criminal history. Some people can post their bail, while others need help. That’s where a bail bondsman comes in.
The bond agent acts as a surety, paying the court for the defendant’s bail and promising they will return for all their future court dates. They charge a fee for this service, typically a percentage of the total bail amount.
If a defendant misses their court date, the court takes their bail deposit or collateral and issues a warrant for arrest. A bounty hunter is then hired to track the person down and return them to court. If this scenario occurs, the bond agent will be held accountable for covering the entire bail amount owed to the court.
How do I get a bail bond?
If a person gets arrested and the judge sets bail, it can be challenging for friends and family to afford the amount. That’s when bail bondsmen come into play.
The first step is for the defendant’s loved ones to contact a bail bondsman and provide all pertinent information, including their full name, booking number, the charges they are facing, and the jail location they are being held in.
Typically, a bond agent will ask for collateral, such as jewelry or a deed to a house. This protects the bail bondsman if the defendant fails to appear in court and forfeits the bond amount.
A bail bondsman will then create a contract with the person posting the bail bonds Allentown PA and ensure they fully understand that they are responsible for the defendant showing up for all court proceedings. They will also discuss any fees that may be involved. They are often charged a 10% or less premium on the bail bond amount.
How much is a bail bond?
A judge sets a bail amount that they believe is sufficient to guarantee the defendant’s appearance in court. It is up to the defendant and their family to post this bail in cash or by using a bond company.
Bail bonds are not cheap, and they can be a burden on loved ones who may already be struggling financially. This is remarkably accurate for individuals experiencing homelessness or unemployment, as they lack any savings.
In exchange for posting a bail bond, a bail bondsman will charge a premium, usually around 10-20% of the bail amount. This fee is set by law, and it is non-refundable. Sometimes, the bondsman may also require a loved one to put up collateral to secure the bond. The bondsman will call the person periodically to remind them of their court dates and ensure they take advantage of bail. If they do, the bondsman must hire a bounty hunter to track them down and return them to jail.
How do I pay for a bail bond?
If you or someone you know has been arrested, bail will probably need to be paid. However, if you cannot afford the bail, a bail bond can be a helpful solution.
They sell a legal paper that guarantees the court that you or the accused will show up for every court date until your case is resolved. This service usually comes with a fee that differs from state to state, but typically it’s at most 10% of the bond amount. They also require collateral such as a house, car, stocks, or jewelry to secure the bond.
The person paying for the bail bond must go to a courthouse where their case is pending and fill out some paperwork. This is called an arraignment. When someone released on bail fails to appear in court, the bail bondsman can hire bounty hunters to track them down and return them to custody.
