Bail bonds
Essentially, a bail bond is a kind of assurance that you will attend the hearing at the specified date. In return, you will be permitted to walk free even though you are still undergoing trial for a civil or criminal charge. Otherwise, you will stay jail while waiting for the court to rule on a verdict. A bondsman can pay bail for you and get you released from jail.
Depending upon the charge, the cost of bail can be high. Not a lot of accuseds are able to post the bail bond. There's a good reason why the correctional system is overburdened. But there's a legal way to earn your temporary release from jail even while your case is still in progress. With our site you can look for a respectable bondsman in Union Parish.
Use a bail bond to gain temporary freedom after getting arrested
The judicial system allows a bail bondsman to put up a bail bond, also called surety bond, to help people arrested and charged with a crime gain temporarily released from prison while awaiting their court appearance.
The legal system allows two kinds of bail bond-- a criminal bail bond as well as a civil bail bond.
To be clear, a court does not impose a criminal bail bond to penalize you for your supposed criminal offense. You are still innocent up until proven guilty. Nevertheless, the court needs to have an assurance that you will show up at trial to face your accuser; hence, the need to post bail. If you participate in all your arranged criminal procedures as required, and you are eventually acquitted, the bail amount will be returned to you. If you are condemned, the bail money will be used to take care of the penalties and fines that the court may enforce on you. If you miss the court appearances, your bail will be forfeited and you will be subject to getting arrested.
On the contrary, the civil bail bonds imposed on civil cases serve as a guarantee or a surety with the court where the debts, claims, and fees enforced on the offender can be drawn from.
Should I hire a bondsman?
If you can afford to post bail by yourself, you don't need to employ the services of a bail bondsman. For one, they require a fee for their assistance, not to mention the collateral you have to provide for what is certainly categorized as a loan.
In nearly all states, the bondsman will charge about 10-20% of the total amount of the bail. You will not get this back even if you are cleared of the charge. On the upside, you do not have to stress over filing the necessary documents or have to deal with court staff because the agent will handle all that . Besides that, you will have a better prospect of getting your bail application approved because of the reputation of the bondsman alone. Lastly, because of their experience with the process, you can be released from jail in a matter of hours instead of days.
Finally, the bail bonds company knows the importance of a good first impression on the judge and jury. When you are committed to the regional or federal prison, you are going to be transported to the courtroom in the official inmate's jumpsuit. In contrast, if you made bail, you are able to dress well and make a good impression on the judge and jury.
How does the bail bond process work?
Choosing the right bail agent is important. Sadly, there are shady agents out there who take advantage of unsuspicious people who are already desperate for help.
Make sure you are ready when you speak with a bondsman. Ask all your questions, and only after all your worries are quelled should you take the next steps of hiring their services. The bail bondsman can then proceed with posting the bail and filing the required papers to get you or your loved one released.
Information your bondsman needs to know
If you contact a bondsman, you need to share these details:
- Your name if you are the offender
- The name and location of the jail where the accused is detained
- The booking number in the police blotter
- The complaints filed against the suspect
- Any extra related details
What is accepted as collateral?
In most cases, the bondsman requires collateral with the transaction. This is understandable, considering the risks that are involved. An inmate is a flight risk, and are numerous examples where a bonds company needed to employ a bounty hunter to bring back the fleeing offender.
But what is acceptable as collateral? Essentially, when a bondsman considers something valuable, you are able to use it as a guarantee for the bond. Below are a number of examples:
- Real estate
- Autos
- Shares
- Jewelry
- Electronic devices
- Bank accounts
- Visa or mastercard
If you have trouble paying for the bond, bail bonds companies usually offer payment options that you can make use of. Simply speak with the bail bondsman to figure out what option is the best one when it comes to your circumstances.
You can use our website to search for a bondsman that will be perfect for you. Most of them are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to assist you or a family member to spend the least amount of time in prison as possible.
