Releasing someone from jail is an expensive process, and most people can’t afford it. That’s why you should seek help from a bail bondsman to cover these expenses. But the question is, how do bail bondsmen work? In this article, I will explain how bail bondsmen work in criminal cases.
What is a Bail Bond?
A bail bond is a payment by a bail bonds company on your behalf to the court. This is a type of security bond. This is the amount you have to post to release before trial.
If you post bail, appear in court when required, and follow all terms, your bail money will be refunded. If you don’t appear on the court order, you pay the full bond amount.
If you are not able to pay the full court amount, you can hire a bail bondsman who can pay a percentage of the bail amount on your behalf. The fee you pay to a bail bondsman is nonrefundable, even if you follow all the court rules.
How Does A Bail Bondsman Work?
Here’s how bail bond agents work:
Hire a Bail Bondsman
After you are arrested and a judge sets bail, a bail bondsman comes into play. You must pay the bondsman, also known as a bail bond agent, a percentage of the bail amount. The usual rate is 10 percent.
Starting the Releasing Process
Once you pay the bondsman’s bail amount, the release process begins. The bond agent sometimes secures a bail amount with collateral. For this, you must sign a contract forfeiting your property to cover the remaining bail amount if you miss court and don’t follow the terms.
If you do not have enough property for this security, the bail bondsman can consider turning to your friends or family members for collateral. Once he has received the amount, he will be satisfied with the collateral and will post bail on your behalf.
Offer Payment Plans
Some people do not have enough money to cover the fee. Currently, many licensed bail bondsmen offer payment plans and flexible payment options. Such as:
- credit cards
- debit cards
- Cash
What are the Types of Bail Bonds?
There are four main types of bail bonds.
1. Cash Bonds
Cash bonds require the full bail amount to be paid up front. This type is common and used for those accused of minor crimes and have to pay a low bail amount.
2. Surety Bonds
Surety bonds, as the name suggests, are secured bonds that are issued through a bail bondsman after payment of fees.
3. Property Bonds
When a bail bondsman uses real estate as collateral for the bail amount, it is referred to as a property bond. It is crucial to remember that missing court could put your home or other property at risk.
4. Personal Bonds
Personal bonds are a promise, often in the form of a written agreement, used when someone is released on personal recognizance. They are based on the defendant’s promise to appear, often without requiring the posting of cash or payment of a third-party surety.
