The Price of Freedom: Understanding Your Bail Bond Cost

Has someone you know been arrested for the first time? 

Are you scrambling to learn more about bail bonds, the bail process, and bail services? 

You’ll first need to figure out if you live in a state that allows bail services. Some states restrict privatized lending companies for bail bonds. In such states, you have to come up with the money for posting bail on your own. North Carolina is not one of those states. 

Are you looking to post bail for someone who’s been arrested? Keep reading as we take a closer look at how this process works and how the bail bond cost is calculated. 

The Purpose of Bail 

The purpose of bail is for a defendant to pay money to guarantee that he or she shows up to their court date. Bail is set by a judge at a bail hearing. If they fail to show up to court or fail to abide by the conditions of the release, they forfeit the money. 

Bail Bond 

A bail bond is a type of surety bond. It’s provided by a surety bond company like a bail bondsman or agent. A surety bond makes it possible for a defendant’s release from jail. 

A criminal bail bond is for criminal cases and guarantees that the defendant appears in court for trial and pays any fines or penalties assessed by the court. 

A civil bail bond is for civil cases and guarantees the payment of the debt along with interest and any costs assessed by the court against the defendant. 

How Much Does a Bail Bond Cost? 

When a defendant goes to his or her bail hearing, the judge decides the amount of bail based on the severity of the crime. The amount of bail set is up to the judge’s discretion. 

In the U.S., most states charge 10% of the bail set by the court for a bail bond. So, if your bail is set at $15,000, the bail bond would cost $1,500. 

What happens if you don’t have the money for bail? If this is the case, the defendant either stays in jail or hires a bail bond agent to help.

The bail bondsman puts up the bail bond collateral to get the defendant out of jail. In some cases, there is a bail bond interest charge as well. 

Bail Bond Cost: Now You Know

Now you know what goes into bail bond cost and you have a better understanding of the process. It can be overwhelming and confusing, so it’s a good idea to consider working with a professional like a bondsman. 

If you need a bail bondsman who will take care of your rights, Absolute Bail Bonds is here for you. Our expertise lies in surety bonds, criminal bonds, felony bail bonds, traffic bail bonds, and domestic violence bail bonds. We will work to get you out as quickly as possible and reunite with your loved ones. Contact us today.