Getting arrested for any reason can be very stressful. One of the biggest concerns is getting out of jail as quickly as possible. Bail bonds are a convenient way to post bail and avoid re-arrest. However, all defendants must understand their responsibilities and comply with court-mandated conditions after release.

Arrest and Booking

Once arrested, they must be jailed to create an official record. This process can take several hours and will include:

• Taking a photo (otherwise known as a mugshot) and fingerprints.
• Conducting a background check.
• Asking questions. 

The judge will decide whether to set bail or keep the individual in jail until their trial date. Bail serves as a financial guarantee that the accused will return to court for their scheduled court dates. People who need to be bailed out of jail often don’t have enough money to cover the full amount of their bail, so they turn to a bail bonds company for help. To qualify for a bond, the individual must provide proof of income, which can be as simple as a paycheck stub.

Initial Appearance

After an arrest, the defendant is required to attend a court hearing called an initial appearance. This is where the defendant is informed of the charges they are facing and their rights as a defendant. At this hearing, the judge may also set bail, a financial guarantee ensuring the defendant will appear in court for future hearings. If the defendant fails to appear in court, bail bonds Chester County, PA, can be used to guarantee the bond payment. During the initial appearance, the defendant is made aware of the charges and penalties they face. They are also informed of their constitutional rights, including the right to counsel. If the defendant can’t afford a private lawyer, the magistrate will review their financial affidavits and decide whether to appoint a federal public defender. The initial appearance is also when the bail is set, and bond conditions are discussed. The defendant must agree to all bond conditions, including not leaving the state. If they fail to follow these conditions, the bail bond agent is responsible for paying the court the bond amount. Many arrested people must get bailed out quickly because they have jobs and children to care for. Our services can help in such situations. If you use a bail bond agent, ensure they are licensed and experienced in this industry.

Posting Bail

A defendant whose bail is posted can wait for their courtroom trial at home rather than in jail. The person who posts their bail must promise to return for all their court appearances or else forfeit the money they put up. It’s best to contact a reputable bail bond agent with a long history in the industry. This way, there are no surprises, and questions can be answered thoroughly. The bondsman will want all necessary documentation, including a full legal name (no nicknames or slang) and the names of references—people with whom the defendant has close ties that can attest to their good character. They may also ask for any collateral that was signed over to the bond company. Usually, this is property worth at least the bail amount or more.

Court Dates

Once an accused person is bailed out of jail, they must ensure they attend all their court dates. If they fail to do so, the bail bond company will have to pay the full face amount of the bond. A bail application and contract will be drawn up based on the information attained from the accused and their indemnitor (often called co-signers). The bail bondsman will need to know all of the financial details of the defendant as well as his or her employment history and references. The bail bondsman will also need to know about any property pledged as collateral. The bail bondsman will provide the defendant with receipts for every time he or she pays the premium or turns over collateral.

Obtaining Receipts

Obtaining receipts ensures accurate financial tracking and accountability. The bail bondsman will keep receipts of all payments made to them and provide a complete summary of the collateral pledged for each bond.

The bail bondsman is required by contract to deposit into a reserve account known as a Build Up Fund (BUF) account. The BUF account contains a specific amount of money that covers the bondsman’s potential liability in case the bond is forfeited. If the defendant tries to skip out of town before their trial, they will be considered a fugitive, and the court will issue an arrest warrant. The court will then demand full payment of the bail bond from the bail bonds company and seize the collateral posted to cover this debt.