If you are ever stuck in a place where you need to get bail, it is important to research and understand bail bonds. It is a very complicated situation and could be based on the crime, past record as well as other factors. You might not need the information today but it helps to have knowledge and understanding of the same in case a situation arises. Here’s everything you need to know about bail bonds.
How do bonds work?
After an arrest, the arrested person will get a hearing date with a particular amount for bail. Now, they have to find family or friends who can pay for the release between the arrest and the court date. This is where a bail bondsman comes in as a third party. After the bail is posted, it is important to ensure that the accused is present at all the court dates. In case the accused skips bail, then the bondsman will have to look out for the accused in order to return them to the court. In case the accused skips the bail and does not return, then the money put in by the agency will be taken by the court.
The bail bond works like a surety bond which is issued by the surety company. The bond will be given through the bail bondsman or agent. If the defendant is not able to pay the specified bail amount decided by the judge, then they will seek the help of the bail bondsman and the accused person will pay the bondsman about 10% of the amount before they post the bond.
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Types of bonds
Let’s take a look at all the available bond types.
- Cash bond: This is the simplest form of payment where the accused will pay the entire amount to cover in cash or card.
- Federal bond: In case the defendant is accused of an interstate or federal crime, this bond is essential for release. It has a high fee and needs bigger collateral. Such crimes include hate crimes, fraud, and bank robbery.
- Citation release: It is a notice where the accused is allowed to go home and not be taken to jail after their arrest. However, they must show up in court on the given date.
- Surety bond: When a third-party step in to pay the bail bond for the accused, it is known as a surety bond.
- Property bond: Here, a property will be put up instead of cash and the court might seize it if the defendant fails to appear on the due date.
- Immigration bond: An immigration bond is for those who have been detained for immigration purposes and it has a higher amount as compared to other bails.
When is a bond required?
In order for someone to leave jail, a surety will have to be issued. Bail is important to ensure that the defendants make it to a court date in the future and when they go to the court date, then this bail will be given back to the person who paid it after deducting the fees. And if the defendant cannot go to court, the agent can recover the amount through other means. Additionally, the agent can also sue those people who do not make it to court dates.
Hence, if you get a bail bond but skip the court dates, then you will have a warrant and your bonds could be deferred. The experts at O’ShaughnaHill Surety & Insurance state that a bail bond will provide the ones in need with the necessary funds so that they can leave jail. However, the actual amount will depend on the crime, the judge as well as other factors like a flight risk.
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How do you get a bond?
Now that you know and understand bail bonds, let us see how you can get it. Firstly, you need to contact a bond agency after the bail cost is decided. A lot of bail bonds usually last for a year, which is enough time in a lot of cases. This fee will be decided by the bail amount. So, if the bond value is $5,000, a co-signer will have to pay $500 if the accused makes it to the court. It is quite easy to get the bond but ensure that you are signing an agreement with the right company.
It is not every day that you need to learn about bail bonds but it helps to have the basic information in case a situation demands it. However, it is advisable to seek the help of a professional in case you need any help with issuing a bail bond, and always work with a reputed and reliable professional in the industry to ensure that you are doing the right thing.