Bail bonds
In its essence, a bail bond is a type of promise that you will show up at the hearing at the date specified. In return, you will be permitted to walk free even if you are still undergoing trial for a civil or criminal charge. Alternatively, you will sit in jail while waiting for the court to rule on a verdict. A bonding company can post bail for you and get you out of jail.
Depending on the allegation, the cost of bail can be steep. Very few accuseds can pay the bail. Certainly there's a good reason why the penal system is overburdened. But there's a legal way to gain your temporary release from prison even if your case is still in progress. With our site you can look for a reputable bonding company in Jefferson County.
What is bail?
If you or a family member lands in jail, the primary goal is getting released from prison as soon as possible. Based on the backlog of cases, the court may not have the opportunity to take your case for quite some time. During that timespan, you need to stay imprisoned unless you make bail.
There are several factors that will influence the amount, and whether your case is bailable in the first place). For example, the court will consider your criminal record, the seriousness of the crime you are charged with, whether or not you are a flight risk and if you are able to pay for the bail.
A bondsman is your way to freedom
A bondsman is your fastest link to getting out of jail after your arrest. When you do not possess sufficient funds to bail yourself out and gain temporary freedom, your best recourse is a trusted bonding company that will cover the bail for you. Most bail bond companies request a fee of 10% of the bail amount. That is just fair, taking into consideration the risk the bail bondsman is taking in putting up the money. If you do not show up at trial, the court will forfeit the bail posted by the bondsman. In any case, you need not trouble yourself with the finances at this time. Your most immediate concern is to get yourself released from jail, and a trustworthy bonding company can manage that for you.
Additionally, you need not worry yourself with the tricky judicial procedure in putting up bail because the bail bondsman will handle that to facilitate your release from jail. The only thing that needs to be done is for you or your representative to get in touch with a reputable bail agent. That representative will suggest you a deal, proposing to pay your bail to get you out of jail in return for a small fee. With your authorization, the bondsman will then put up the bail on your behalf, releasing you from prison.
You still need to show up at your court hearing though. But you will be appearing in court in you own clothes and not in a jail uniform. That could increase your self-confidence as you deliver your defense. Furthermore, the judge hearing your case will likely have a more favorable impression of you, rather than if you were to turn up in court being dressed in jail attire, looking like you're already guilty of the offense you're charged with even before the court can come to a decision. You can give thanks your bail bondsman for arranging this.
Here's how the bail bonds process works
In case you get arrested and charged with an alleged criminal offense, the very first thing that you must do is to get in touch with a good lawyer and somebody, perhaps even the attorney himself, who can hook you up with a bondsman to begin the bail bonds process. You or your representative can deal with the bail bondsman that will ask you standard questions like the accused's name, birthdate, and the area or city of the arrest. The bondsman will then give you an agreement for posting your bail bond. When you agree with the arrangement, the bail bondsman will take care of all the formalities to to get you released from jail. With help from the bail bondsman, you can get out of jail and enjoy the company of your family once again.
What your bondsman needs to have from you
When you or a friend get in touch with a bondsman, the latter will ask for the following info:
- The name of the offender
- The name and location of the jailhouse where the suspect is held
- The booking number in the police blotter
- The complaints filed against the suspect
- Any extra important info
What is accepted as collateral?
Almost always, the bonding company requires collateral with the deal. This is understandable, taking into consideration the risks that are involved. A prisoner is a possible flight risk, and there have been countless occasions where a bail bondsman had to hire a bounty hunter to recover the fleeing defendant.
But what is acceptable as collateral? In a nut-shell, when a bonding company considers an asset valuable, you are able to use it as a guarantee for the bail. Below are a number of examples:
- Real estate
- Vehicles
- Stocks
- Jewelry
- Electronic devices
- Bank accounts
- Visa or mastercard
If you find that the bail bond is too expensive, bail bonds companies have payment plans that you can make use of. Simply speak with the bondsman to determine which option is the best one for your circumstances.
Use our site to search for a bail bondsman that will be perfect for your needs. Many of them are open day and night, ready to help you or your loved one to spend the least amount of time in prison as possible.
