A bail bond or surety bond is simply a monetary guarantee that a person who has been charged with a crime will appear before the court when they are ordered. Once a bond has been posted, the accused is released from custody until their court hearing.
After being booked into the county jail, the defendant will see a judge who will set terms of bond and the bond amount.
You can post cash or real property for the total amount of the bond directly with the court, but this may tie up much-needed funds and savings. Some jurisdictions may deduct court fees from your cash bond.
You will also lose the benefit of confidentiality since most courts follow stringent guidelines to show posted funds are not a product of criminal activity. In most cases, bail is posted through a bail bondsman. The bail agent collects a fee (or premium) and secures some form of collateral for the total amount of the bail. Costs vary by state but are usually 10% of the bail amount, except for federal and immigration cases, which may be as high as 15 to 20%.
Collateral is something of value that the bail agent holds to ensure the defendant is present for all court proceedings. A piece of real estate, a car, or a bank account all can be considered collateral. Sometimes the signature of a qualifying co-signer will be accepted.
A bail bond agent has a legal responsibility to safeguard all collateral. As long as the defendant has not failed to appear before the court, collateral is returned once a case is completed whether the defendant is found innocent or guilty. However, a bail agent’s fee is not returned; this is payment for services rendered regardless of the outcome of the case.
If you can provide the booking number, this will save valuable time.
If you do not have it, don’t worry, the bail agent can get it when they contact the jail. Once you know the bail amount, our agent will advise what it will cost to post a bond and anything else required to expedite the defendant’s release.
That usually depends on where the defendant is being held. Usually it’s within 45 minutes to an hour and a half after they see the judge.
If you think the defendant is going to flee, contact your bondsman as soon as possible to review what options are available to you. If a defendant fails to appear before the court, they are considered a fugitive and a bench warrant is issued for their arrest. The bail bond agent makes every effort to locate the fugitive and return them to custody. However, if the bail bond agent is unable to locate the fugitive the bail agent must pay the entire bond amount to the court. The bail bond agent can recover the cost by turning to the collateral to reimburse the loss.
If you have questions about a bond, need clarification on next steps, or want to begin the process, reach out using the link below. Every message is reviewed personally by Cody to ensure you receive a timely and clear response.
No matter the situation, you will be treated with respect, confidentiality, and professionalism. Submit your information and expect prompt communication from someone ready to help you move forward.
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