5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Bail Bonds Companies

The average cost of bail has increased from around $25,000 to over $50,000 in recent years. Suffice to say, many people don’t have the ability to pay these high prices right away. 

This is where bail bonds companies come in. When you’re in a financial pinch or can’t scrape up the money to pay bail, these firms will help you through the process. 

With that said, many questions still remain. How do you choose the right bail bonds company? What goes into picking the right candidate?

That’s what we’re here to answer today. Read on to understand the important factors for choosing bail bond companies. 

What Are Bail Bonds?

Let’s first understand exactly what bail bonds are. 

They’re essentially an agreement made by the defendant to show up to their trial and pay an amount of money that’s settled by the court. A bail bondsman guarantees the payment on behalf of the client so long as they agree to a fee. 

Bail bonds are surety bonds, meaning it ensures to the court that the defendant will show up for trial. Bondsmen agree with their respective courts to pay a defendant’s bail if they don’t show up to trial.

Benefits of Bail Bonds

Generally speaking, bail bondsmen charge 15% of the bail amount in terms of fees. This means you’ll initially be saving money if you were considering paying the full bail amount instead. 

It also saves you time to prepare your defense, as opposed to sitting in jail or scraping together enough assets to pay the bail itself. 

Bondsmen are also advisors that can help you through this entire process. Not only that, they provide secure payments that keep you from having to show up with large sums of cash at courthouses. 

5 Essential Factors for Choosing Bail Bonds Companies

So if you’re looking for reliable bail bonds companies, what should you look out for? Let’s break down the essentials here:

1. Experience

This might go without saying, but you should always choose companies that have extensive experience with bail bonds. While there’s nothing wrong with choosing newer firms, older ones have plenty of resources and references to boost your confidence. 

Speaking of which…

2. References

References and reviews are crucial when choosing a bail bonds company. This is because the word of others, especially as it relates to something as crucial as bail, is useful to go by. Whether you’re reading online reviews or checking their references, this is a crucial deciding factor. 

3. Fees

We mentioned that 15% of your bail price is the typical fee structure. Some companies might try to scare you into contracts or necessitate unnecessary upfront fees. Look out for these factors when choosing who you work with. 

4. Confidentiality

No one wants people to know that they’ve been arrested. Bail is a complicated process and the last thing you need is your information out there online. Solid bail bonds companies will keep all that information secure.

5. Availability

Paying bail, or failing to do so, can result in some serious consequences. When you contact a bail bonds company, they should be able to pick up the phone immediately for that reason. A company that’s always available is a must when dealing with bail bonds. 

Find the Right Bail Bonds Company Today

Paying bail can be complicated, but it can go much smoother with the right people in your corner. Use this article to find the right bail bonds companies today. 

Looking for fast and reliable bail bonds solutions in Raleigh, North Carolina? Contact us today and we’ll work with you immediately!