Understanding Bail Bonds And How To Utilize These Services
You don’t have to let a loved one sit behind bars waiting for their court date.
Paying bail is a well-known concept but understanding bail bonds is crucial in a time of need. Here are some common questions and concerns people have going through the judicial system.
What is a Bail Bond?
Bail is an amount that must be paid to the court in order to be released from jail before your set court date. Bail amounts are usually set high to ensure the defendant will return for their court hearings.
A bond is a written contract to perform a certain act (appearing before the court) and failure to perform results in payment or forfeiture of money.
Types of bail bonds include:
- Secured bond. This is a bail bond that is backed by cash or collateral to secure release before the given court date. This can be paid by the accused or a second party such as a bail bondsman.
- Unsecured bond. This is a promise to pay the set amount posted by the judge if the accused doesn’t appear on their court date.
Understanding Bail Bonds and How They Work
How is Bail Determined?
A judge is responsible for setting the bail amount at the first court appearance after an arrest. The amount is dependant on the nature of the crime but other factors such as criminal history, employment and amount of involvement with relatives and community.
I Can’t Afford Bail!
If you can’t afford bail for you or a loved one, this is when courts will accept a bail bond from a bondsman. A bail bondsman is licensed by the state to provide bail for the accused in return that they appear on their scheduled court dates.
The bondsman will pay the court bail for the release of the defendant in exchange for 15% of the bail amount which will not be returned.
When contacting a bondsman, here is a list of information you need to know beforehand:
- Where are they being held? You need to give their exact location including state, city, and the name of the jail.
- Name and booking number? This is needed for the bondsman to contact the jail. Don’t worry if you forgot the booking number as the bondsman can look this up.
- How much is bail?The bondsman will need to know this in order to tell you what it will cost in order for them to post bail for the defendant.
Violating the Terms of Your Bail
If you fail to appear at your scheduled court date, the court will issue a warrant for your arrest and bail may be revoked. If you arrested, you could either stay in jail until trial or there will be a much high bail.
If you were released on bail through a bail bond from a bondsman and did not appear at court, you will owe the full bail amount.
Don’t Wait!
If you need an experienced bondsman in Raleigh, NC or surrounding areas, contact Absolute Bail Bonds, Inc. for assistance in understanding bail bonds and to get your loved one out of jail.