Top 4 Questions Asked About Bail Bonds

Learning that your loved one has been arrested can be traumatizing. One of your first questions will likely be how you can get them out of jail, and this is where bail bonds come in. But if this is the first time a person close to you has been arrested, you may not know what bail bonds are and how they operate. Here are a few answers to some of the questions you might have. 

What Is a Bail Bond? 

A bail bond is simply an agreement by a defendant to pay a certain amount of money to avoid staying in jail until their hearing. While the defendant or someone close to them can pay the entire bail amount to secure their release, the easiest option is usually working with a bail bondsman. Here, you only pay a small portion of the bail as a premium, while the bail bondsman pays the rest. 

Keep in mind that if you decide to work with a bail bondsman, you must ensure the defendant honors all their court hearings. You may be responsible for paying the full bail if the defendant fails to show up on their court date. 

Who Is Qualified to Use Bail Bonds?

Generally, anyone is entitled to post bail. However, different states may have different laws regarding who can and cannot be granted bail. In most states, people charged with capital offenses, such as sex crimes, assaults, and firearm violations, aren't granted bail. The court may also deny you bail if it deems the defendant as a flight risk or a danger to the public. 

For everyone else, bail shouldn't be as regularly denied. The only thing that might vary is the amount. 

What Do You Need to Contact a Bail Bondsman?

To be able to help you, a bail bonds agent might ask for certain information, including:

• Name and booking number of the person who has been arrested. This information helps the bail bondsman contact the jail. If you can't remember or don't have the booking number, the bondsman may be able to get it for you. 
• Where the person has been held in custody. Ask the defendant the name of the jail where they are held, including its city and state. 
• The amount of bail. If you don't know the bail amount, the bail bondsman may inquire from the jail. With this information, they can tell you how much premium you'll need to pay for the release of your loved one. 

Do Bail Bondsmen Operate on Weekends?

Reputable bail bond agents understand that arrests can happen anytime. As such, many offer 24/7 bail bonds services, including on the weekends and holidays. You can call them anytime, and they will be happy to answer your questions and help you post bail. 

For more information, reach out to a local bondsman service.

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