Bail bonds
If a suspect is detained, he or she will have to spend time in prison while awaiting their bail hearing. This is a process where the judge will set the amount that functions as a guarantee to the court for the temporary freedom of the defendant. But not everybody can come up with the requested amount of bail, and if that's the case he or she would have to stay in prison throughout the trial. However, {it is possible to enlist the services of|you can make use of the services of a bonding company to provide the bail bond.
We will help you find reputable bail bond agents in Skagit County who can ensure that you or your loved ones can be out of prison, at least up until the sentencing.
What is a bail bond?
If you or a family member ends up behind bars, the first order of business is leaving prison as soon as possible. Based on the backlog of cases, the judge may not be able to get to your case for quite some time. During that timespan, you will stay incarcerated except if you make bail.
There are a number of aspects that will impact the amount of bail, and if your case is bailable in the first place). As an example, the judge will take a look at your criminal record, the severity of the crime you are accused of, whether you are a flight risk and if you can come up with the bail.
Should I hire a bail bondsman?
If you are able to pay bail on your own, you don't have to employ the services of a bondsman. For one, they require a small fee for their assistance, not to mention the collateral you must provide for what is definitely categorized as a loan.
In almost all states, the bonding company will collect around 10-20% of the total amount of the bail bond. You will not get this back even if you are cleared of the charge. On the upside, you don't have to worry about submitting the necessary documents or dealing with court personnel since the agent will take care of all that . Besides that, you will have a better chance of getting your bail petition accepted by virtue of the credibility and reputation of the bondsman alone. Lastly, as a result of their familiarity with the procedure, you can be released from jail in a matter of hours .
And lastly, the bonding company knows the advantage of a good impression while appearing in court. When you are committed to the regional or federal jail, you are going to be hauled to the courthouse in the official inmate's jumpsuit. On the other hand, if you made bail, you are able to dress smartly and make a good impression on the court.
How does the bail bond process work?
Choosing the right bondsman is important. Unfortunately, there are deceitful agents out there that take advantage of unsuspecting families who are already desperate for help.
Make sure you are ready when you talk to a bondsman. Ask all your questions, and only once all your questions are answered should you take the subsequent steps of hiring their services. They can then start with posting the bail and filing the required papers to get you or your loved one released from jail.
Information your bail bondsman needs
When you call a bail bondsman, you have to share these details:
- Your name if you are the accused
- The name and location of the prison where the defendant is detained
- The booking number in the police blotter
- The complaints filed against the accused
- Any other relevant information
What is accepted as collateral?
Almost always, the bonding company will ask for collateral with the deal. This is reasonable considering the risks that are involved. An offender is a possible flight risk, and are plenty of examples where a bonding company needed to employ the services of a bounty hunter to recover the fleeing offender.
But what is acceptable as collateral? In a nut-shell, if a bonding company considers an asset valuable, you are able to use it as collateral for the bail. Below are a couple of examples:
- Real estate
- Vehicles
- Equities
- Jewelry
- Electronic devices
- Bank accounts
- Visa or mastercard
If you find that the bail bond is too expensive, bail bonds companies have payment options that you can use. Just speak with the bondsman to determine what option is best suited with regard to your situation.
Use this website to find a bonding company that is perfect for your needs. Many of them operate 24/7, ready to help you or a family member to spend the as little time as possible in prison.
