Bail Bonds
Bail bonds are financial arrangements that are often made through a bail bond company on behalf of a defendant who cannot afford to pay their bail amount. These arrangements work by guaranteeing the appearance of a defendant in court for every required hearing until their case is resolved. The bondsman takes a fee for this service and may require some form of collateral to back the bail amount.
A judge determines bail after a criminal case is filed and review the facts of the case to see if the accused should be released on bail or kept in jail until their trial begins. The judge will take into account the severity of the crime, the accused’s history with criminal charges and whether releasing the defendant could put others at risk or cause them to flee from the area.
If the judge decides to release the defendant on their own recognizance, they will usually set a low bail amount and ask the accused to sign a personal promise that they will appear at all of their required court dates. This is sometimes done in cases where the crime is a misdemeanor or low level and it is believed that the accused will not flee from the area and can be monitored by family, friends or electronic monitoring devices.
What Are Bail Bonds?
The accused can also post a cash or credit card bail in the courts to avoid being taken to jail at their arraignments. This option is usually available only if the accused and their loved ones are present at the arraignments to pay the bail money. Some courts will not accept credit cards and will only allow you to pay with cash. A bond agent can also post a cash or property bond on the behalf of an accused. This is where a person known as a bail agent posts a percentage of the total bail amount to guarantee the defendant’s appearance in court. Defendants must complete all the necessary paperwork and provide any collateral that is requested to guarantee the bail bond.
Typically, the person posting a bail bond is called an indemnitor and it is a friend or relative of the accused. Indemnitor’s are required to sign all the paperwork, provide any collateral and agree to pay a certain percentage of the total bail amount if the defendant does not show up in court. Having a reliable bail bonds can make the process much easier for everyone involved.
When looking for a bail bondsman, it is important to do your research. Check out their website, read reviews from past clients and speak to someone at the company personally before making any commitments. It is also a good idea to get copies of all signed contracts and agreements. This is so that you can make sure that all premiums are paid and that any pledged collateral is returned promptly. This is a great way to make the bail bond process as stress-free for you and your loved ones as possible.