Most people do not fully understand how bail bonds work until they have to use them to bail someone out of jail. If you are trying to get a loved one out of jail and need help doing so, you might have to contact a bail bondsman too. If this is your first time, there are probably a lot of things you do not understand about the process; however, it is important to understand how bail bonds work prior to using one to help a friend get out of jail. Here are several important things you should understand about bail bonds before you call a bail bondsman for help.
You Might Not Need a Bail Bondsman's Help
The first thing to know about bailing someone out of jail is that there is an amount set up by the court that is called the bond amount. If you can pay cash for this, you do not need a third party to help you. In some situations, the bond amounts are low, such as $300. In other situations, though, the bond can be extremely high. The court bases this amount on the crime itself, the person's criminal history, and other factors that relate to it. If you happen to have enough cash at home or in the bank that you can access quickly, you could simply get the cash and bring it to the jail. When you get there, you could bail your loved one out on your own.
A Bail Bond Is a Loan
Unfortunately, there are times when people cannot afford to pay the bond out of their own pocket. The good news is that there is a simple solution for times like this, and this solution involves hiring a bail bondsman. A bail bondsman is a company that offers to pay a person's bail for you, and when they do this, you are basically taking out a loan from the bail bondsman. If you are the one signing the loan, you become responsible to pay for it if your loved one fails to do what the court requires of him or her.
When you complete this transaction, you will find out exactly how all of this works, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions if you have any.
You Can Pay the Fee with Things Other Than Cash
To take out a bail bond loan, you will need to pay a fee for it. You will not receive this fee back at any time, as it is non-refundable; however, it is necessary for every bail bond issued. Typically, you must pay a fee that is equal to 10% of the bond amount. If your loved one's bond is set at $20,000, you would be required to pay $2,000, which is the non-refundable fee that the bail bondsman will require. You are then basically borrowing the remaining $18,000.
If you do not have enough cash to pay the 10% fee, talk to the bail bondsman about your options. You might be able to use a car, your house, jewelry, or some other type of asset as collateral to get the loan you need.
You Will Take on Responsibilities When You Get a Bail Bond
The final important thing to know is that you will be taking on responsibilities if you are the one signing the bail bond. You will need to do everything you can to make sure your loved one goes to court and follows all the orders the court gives him or her because you will owe the money for the bail bond if your loved one fails to follow through with these things.
If you can afford to pay the bond amount for your loved one, you will not need to utilize the help of a bail bondsman. If you do not have cash to use for the bond, contact a bail bondsman. The process is easy and fast, and it will help get your loved one out of jail quickly.
