Need To Bail Someone Out? Keep These 4 Considerations In Mind
If someone you know has been arrested and currently sits in jail pending a trial, you may want to help that person however you can. Posting bail can get a defendant out of that holding cell and provide a measure of freedom during this stressful time. But what you can expect from this experience, and what do you need to know to make it go as successfully as possible? Here are four considerations you'll want to consider before you enter the sometimes-complex world of bail bonds.
1. What Information Does the Bail Bondsman Need?
The first step in arranging bail for a defendant is contacting a bail bondsman (unless you decide to make payment directly to the jail or court). You'll also need to have several pieces of critical information on hand. Be ready to supply the defendant's full legal name, the booking number of the case, and the exact name and address of the jail. You should also obtain the bail amount from the court before you make this call so that the bail bondsman can provide you with an accurate quote on the fee involved.
2. How Much Can You Expect to Pay?
Bail amounts and fees can vary widely. If the judge releases the defendant on his own recognizance, you won't need to post bail at all; on the other end of the scale, if the state doesn't have any provisions for bail, you won't be able to post bail. The states that allow for bail have their own premium payment rules. Some states maintain tiered premium schedules, while in other states, the premium rate may be variable or have no maximum. Many states fix their bail premiums at 10 percent of the total bail amount. Some bail bonds companies are legally allowed to offer discounts, but you'll want to make absolutely certain that such a discount will be honored before proceeding on that assumption.
3. What's the Process?
The release process will start as soon as the court clerk's office receives the bail payment, which is paid by the bail bondsman once you have paid that professional. Depending on your jurisdiction, the bail bondsman may accept cash, debit/credit cards, cashier's/traveler's checks, or even certain properties such as real estate, jewelry, or vehicles. The defendant may be released right away if the clerk's office is located near the jail, or the process may take several hours if information has to travel between multiple facilities.
You will have a chance to get your bail money back once the case reaches its conclusion. Cash payments may be returned more quickly than more complex methods such as property bond, but you can expect the process to take at least a few weeks in any event. If the court doesn't automatically return bail bonds, you may need to petition the court to get your money back.
4. What Happens to Your Bail Premium if the Defendant Breaks the Rules?
Bail usually comes with strings attached — and if you're the one putting up the money, you need to know how your defendant can place your investment at risk. For instance, if the defendant fails to keep a court date, you may lose the bail amount you paid. If the defendant leaves the city or state in violation of court orders, he may be re-arrested. In this situation, you have the option of surrendering your bail bond, but you'll lose the premium you paid. If you opt to bail the defendant out again, you now have two premiums to deal with (one for each bail bond).
Posting bail doesn't have to be difficult, confusing or frustrating. Contact a company like Sanctuary Bail Bonds near you today to get more answers to your questions and compare a few quotes.
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