Bail bonds
When an individual is incarcerated and charged for a major criminal offense, they need to wait in jail until a bail hearing. It is at this bail hearing that the judge sets the bail . If that person can't raise the amount, they have to remain in prison until their court hearing. But that does not always need to hold true; they can also seek the help of a bondsman.
Unfortunately, many people end up staying in prison until their court appearance due to the fact that most do not have a large amount of money available in the bank.
Our site will assist you with bailing out your loved ones by connecting you to trustworthy and cost effective bail bond agents in Pinellas County.
Why does a judge impose bail ?
The law permits the services of a bail bondsman to post a bail bond, also referred to as surety bond, to help a defendant get temporary liberty while waiting for their court hearing.
The law allows two types of bail bond-- a criminal bail bond as well as a civil bail bond.
To make it clear, a judge does not impose a criminal bail bond to penalize you for your alleged criminal offense. You are still presumed innocent till proven guilty. Having said that, the judge needs an assurance that you will appear at trial to face your accuser; thus, the requirement to post bail. If you attend all your scheduled criminal proceedings as required, and you are eventually found not guilty, the bail amount will be repaid to you. In case you are found guilty, the bail money will be used to cover the fines and penalties that the judge may enforce on you. If you miss the court hearings, the bail will be lost and you will be subject to arrest.
The same reasoning holds with civil bail bonds. The bail enforced on civil cases works as an assurance or a surety that the offender will be capable to pay the fines and penalties that the judge might impose on the accused after the trial.
Do I need to hire a bondsman?
When you are able to put up bail on your own, you don't have to employ the services of a bondsman. For one, they require a small charge for their service, in addition to the collateral you need to provide for what is undoubtedly categorized as a loan.
In nearly all states, the bondsman will charge about 10-20% of the total amount of the bond. You will not get this refunded even when you are cleared of the crime. On the upside, you don't need to stress over submitting the necessary documents or need to deal with court staff because the bonding company will handle all that for you. Secondly, you will have a better chance of getting your bail petition accepted by virtue of the credibility and reputation of the bondsman alone. Third, because of their familiarity with the process, you can be released from jail in a couple of hours.
And lastly, the bonding company understands the advantage of a good impression on the judge and jury. If you are committed to the regional or federal prison, you will be transported to the courthouse in the official prisoner's uniform. On the other hand, if you made bail, you are able to dress well and ensure a good first impression on the court.
How does the bail bonds process work?
To start the bail bonds procedure, you first have to look for a bail bondsman. You can do that in person, over the phone and even via the internet. Given the stringent adherence to professionalism, a bail bondsman will happily walk you through the bail bond procedure and iron out any doubts that you may have.
Time is of the essence throughout this process. As soon as the bail bondsman answered all of your questions to your complete satisfaction, the bail agent will deal with all of the procedures needed to get you or your loved one released from jail.
To make sure all goes smoothly, a bondsman needs to know the accused's name, birthdate, and the location or area of the arrest. With this information, the bail bondsman will be able to gather additional info from the jail system needed to secure the release. After handling all the procedures, the bondsman will visit the jail to get the accused released.
Utilizing a bail bondsman to bail out yourself or someone you know is that easy, you can be out of jail and reunited with your loved ones in a few hours.
What your bondsman needs to have from you
After you or your representative link up with a bonding company, they will ask for the folowing information:
- The full name of the defendant
- The name and location of the prison where the accused is detained
- The booking number in the police blotter
- The complaints filed against the offender
- Any extra related information
Collateral that a bondsman can accept
Your lack of immediate money is the primary reason why you are looking for the aid of a bondsman. The latter will offer to provide your bail bond in return for you putting one or some of your assets up as collateral. These possessions include:
- Bank accounts
- Real estate
- Stocks
- Credit cards
- Personal credit
- Expensive jewelry
- Automobiles
- Bonds
Expect the bail bondsman to present you a reasonable payment plan that is within your means. During this tough time in your life, the bail agent will help alleviate your concerns and simplify the bail process for you. Most {bail bondsmen can be reached|bonding companies are open 24/7. Using our website you can search for a reliable bondsman in Pinellas County that will aid you in securing your freedom .
