Last Updated on March 10, 2022 by rabiamuzaffar
In life, there isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card.
You need to get a bail bond.
Local bail bonds are a great option for those who need to get out of jail, but they’re not the most convenient. That’s why it’s important to find the best bail bond company in your area. What should you consider when looking for bail bonds? Read on to find out!
Why Do People Need Bail Bonds?
A bail bond is a guarantee for the amount of money that is set by the court. The court will keep this money until your trial finishes. If you try to leave before the trial, they’ll take away this money as punishment for breaking your promise to come back to court.
Overall, a bail bond ensures that the defendant will show up for trial. If the defendant does not show up, the court can seize the money from the bail bond. Then the court can impose an additional charge on top of what was set for bail. The bond effectively guarantees that a person will be back in court to complete their trial.
Who Needs a Bail Bond?
Who needs a bail bond? Those who are either unable to make bail or who choose not to make bail. In these cases, a company promises to pay all or part of the amount of money if you fail to appear in court. Instead of sitting in jail while your trial is taking place, you’ll be out on bail.
Who Doesn’t Qualify?
In certain situations, a bond won’t be an option. For instance, those who have previously failed to appear in court won’t receive bail. Individuals who previously failed to appear in court could pose an additional flight risk. Additionally, those charged with capital crimes may not be eligible for bail.
Another instance where a bail bond is not a feasible option is if you’re unable to pay for it. If you cannot afford the fee of the bondsman, it won’t be possible for them to post bonds on your behalf.
If you, or someone you know, has to spend time in jail, these tips can help make the stay easier. Knowing how to think and act, can make the difference between an early, or late release.
How to Find the Best Local Local Bail Bonds
You can find local bail bonds agencies by searching online or asking around for personal recommendations from people that you trust. Once you have found a few companies, look them up online and see what others are saying about their services.
You might also want to ask the bail bond company some questions yourself about what they offer and how much it costs. But you should always check online reviews.
Even if there is one perfect company for you, that doesn’t mean that they will provide the best service. If a company has good online reviews, then this is often indicative of the quality of its services.
How to Post Bail With a Powerful Agency
Why go with bail bonds near me, instead of somewhere further away? There are several benefits to staying local.
First, is the fact that you’ll be able to meet with representatives in person. This will give you a chance to ask any questions about the bail bond process before agreeing to anything.
A reputable company should also be transparent about its fees and offer a list of all terms and conditions. You must do your research before signing any paperwork.
You’ll also want to know if the company has a working relationship with the jail or any other local law enforcement agencies. The more connections the agency has, the better position you’ll be in.
Next, you need to make sure that you’re choosing an agency that will be able to follow through on its promises. They have to be capable of immediately posting bail for your loved one, after receiving payment.
It’s also important that you keep in touch with your loved one (in jail) as much as possible. This will make it easier for them to get released. It’ll also ensure that they’ll be able to find out about the status of their bail bond from someone they trust.
Questions to Ask a Bail Bond Company
What questions should you be asking potential bond agencies? You will want to ask about what types of payment methods they accept. Then find out whether or not your friend/family member can cover the full amount set by the court.
It’s also important to ask about how much it will cost for them to post bail for you. How do they calculate this price? Can you pay in installments?
Next, find out who would be responsible for the bond. The defendant or a family member? Would it go to a bail bond company or the court directly?
Moving on, find out what happens if the defendant doesn’t show up to trial or has another arrest before their trial is over. Will they charge you for this? If so, how much will it cost?
All of these questions should be answered to your satisfaction before you agree to sign any documents or pay any money. If you have any concerns about the bail bond company or its services, ask for more information before you get started. You can also refresh yourself on the best ways to read contracts before signing them.
How Much Does a Bail Bond Cost?
The cost of local bail bonds depends on many different factors. The price will depend on how much the defendant owes in total, whether they have a record, and what type of crime took place.
In general, bail bonds cost around 10-15% of the total amount of money owed in court fees and fines. However, this varies depending on the crime, which jurisdiction is responsible for setting the bond, and what the defendant can do to pay it back. This often includes a deposit into an account set up by the company.
Other expenses to consider are the fees for the bail bondsman, which can add up to a significant amount of money. This is why you want to work with a reputable company. Find out what costs will be taking place before they apply to your account.
For instance, $100 is an average deposit fee, at a lot of agencies. The total cost of the service will depend on many factors. It’s important to ask questions and make sure that you know what you’re getting into before you sign any paperwork or hand over money.
If you don’t have the fee money available, try selling something online. If you know how to sell items fast on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, you can find the money.
What to Do When You Don’t Have Money
Short on cash? If your friend or family member doesn’t have much money to work with, you might want to consider asking if they have any assets that can be used instead. For example, a house or car could make for an acceptable form of collateral instead of cash.
You will also need to keep in mind the possibility that the entire cost of the bail bond won’t be recovered when your loved one goes to court. Most defendants don’t make enough money to pay back their debts in full. It’s important to remember that you should never agree to sign any legal documents until you fully understand the recovery fees.
You might also want to ask whether or not the defendant needs to pay a percentage of their income towards paying back the bond. This is also known as “wage assignment” or even “wage garnishment”. In general, you can expect to pay between 10-15% of what your loved one owes each month.
How Long Does It Take?
The entire process should only take around 24-48 hours to complete. However, sites like Bail 2 GO – Bail Bonds, can sometimes speed things up.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that everything will depend on where the defendant is being held. Another factor is how quickly the bail amount has been set. This can affect whether or not your loved one needs to spend time in lockup, or if they can be released with little to no waiting period.
It’s also important to note that there are some exceptions when it comes to bail bonds. Some jurisdictions may refuse to grant a person bail. If this is the case, then your loved one will either need to wait until trial or ask for a court-appointed date. Either way, it will help to have the services of a bail bond company that can assist you.
Types of Bail Bonds
There are different types of local bail bonds depending on the circumstance. Property bonds are used to cover a defendant’s appearance in court for misdemeanors that do not pose any immediate risk to the community.
Surety bonds are used for defendants who cannot afford anything else. When your friend or loved one first gets arrested, they will need to post the full amount for their bail to be released. However, this can make things difficult if they don’t have any assets or money to their name.
For this reason, a bail bond company may require that your friend or family member provide some type of collateral to cover the costs. In general, most bonds will not exceed $500,000 and the collateral will be deposited into an account set up by the bail bond agency. This account is known as a “surety bond” or “insurance bond”.
If the defendant disappears or fails to appear in court, then you will need to get in touch with the bail bond company and work out a payment schedule. Otherwise, they’ll do everything that they can to collect on the collateral (such as selling it) and bill you for any charges.
Are You Afraid to Apply for a Bond?
Does the idea of going to a bail bond agency make you nervous? Perhaps you’re holding onto old beliefs, about what bail bondsmen are all about.
Shows like, “Dog the Bounty Hunter”, portrayed rough and tough bounty hunters. People who are there to get the job done, no matter what. However, keep in mind the hype was to get ratings for their television show.
The truth is, bail bondsmen are professionals, just like lawyers or doctors. You wouldn’t be afraid to visit the doctor if you were in pain, right? After all, they’re there to help you!
The same line of thinking should hold for bail bondsmen. They’re not out to get you, they want to help your loved one. As long as you’re aware of the process and what to expect, then you shouldn’t be afraid. Simply take your time choosing a good agency, and you’ll have help, not trouble.
Common Myths About Bail Bondsmen
Let’s expose a few more of the common myths about bond agencies. One myth is that bail bondsmen are criminals themselves. The truth is that many bail bond agencies are owned by retired law enforcement officers.
Another common myth is that a bail bond agency won’t work with you. The fact of the matter is, most bond agencies will accept your first payment method (cash, credit card, etc) and give you time to get more money together if needed. So don’t let this be an excuse to not try.
Lastly, some people think bond agencies are difficult to hire, but this simply isn’t true! It’s highly unlikely a bail bond company will never tell you that it “can’t” help your loved one get out of jail. They are there to help, so don’t let these false beliefs prevent you from doing all that you can!
Know-How to Choose a Bail Bondsman
If you’ve found yourself in a position where you need to get out of jail, local bail bonds are the way to go. There’s no shame in admitting that this isn’t an easy situation for anyone – it can be embarrassing and stressful.
Remember, ask friends and family members if they know any good companies nearby. Then search online for reviews on different agencies. Finally, contact your state association, they’ll have referrals as well as information about what each bail agent does. For more insights, read another guide.
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