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HOW BAIL WORKS
When an
individual is arrested for a crime, typically that person
will be taken to a local law enforcement station for
booking, prior to incarceration in a station lock-up or
county jail. Once arrest and booked, the defendant has
options for release pending the conclusion of his or her
case. Bail is design to guarantee the appearance of a
defendant in court at the time the judge directs.
Types of Bonds
Surety
Bond
This
process involves a contractual undertaking guaranteed by an
admitted insurance company having adequate assets to satisfy
the face value of the bond. The bail agent guarantees to
the court that they will pay the bond forfeiture if a
defendant fails to appear for their scheduled court
appearances. For this service, the defendant is charged a
premium (typically 10% of the bail amount with a minimum fee
of $100.00). For example, if the bail amount is $10,000.00,
the premium charged is $1,000.00. Prior to the posting of
the surety bond, the defendant’s friend or relative must
contact a licensed bail agent. Once you contact a bail
agent, an interview or appointment will be scheduled
immediately. Typically, the 10% premium is fully earned,
once the bail bond is posted with a jail or court. That is
how bail agents and their surety companies make their money
and pay bills.
By involving the family and
friends of a defendant, as well as though the acceptance of
collateral, the bail agent can be reasonably assured that
the defendant released on a surety bond will appear to all
of his/her court appearances.
After this
procedure is completed, the bail agent will post a bond for
the full bail amount, financially guaranteeing the
defendant's return to court as scheduled. With money
on the line, the bail agent has a financial interest in
supervising bailees, and ensuring that they appear in court
each and every time the court orders them to appear.
If the defendant does not appear in court (skips), the bail
agent has time and the financial incentive to find the
defendant and bring him/her to court.
Signature Bond
When
family members or friends take responsibility by signing
legal contracts that state, “In the event the defendant
fails to show up for court,” they are responsible for the
full amount of the bond within 60 days. These contracts
also state that the co-signor is liable for all court,
transportation and investigation fees that occur while the
defendant is out on bond.
Stay at
Home Bonds by Phone
Call our
office and we will gladly explain how it works.
Stay at
Home Online Bonds
You can apply for a bond online
by completing a simple form.
Click Here
for details
What is
Collateral?
Collateral
is anything of value used financially to secure a bail
bond. Some examples of collateral include houses, cars,
boats, jewelry and electronic equipment (you get the idea). |
