What You Need to Know About Bright Bail Bonds

 

It can be scary if you or a loved one has been arrested. Luckily, there is help available. Here are some tips to get you through this difficult time.

It’s hard to miss the sheriff’s department downtown. Surrounding it are the flashy neon signs of bail bond companies. The companies can be a lifesaver for people who can’t afford to pay their bonds.

What is a Bail Bond?

A bail bond is a written guarantee that a defendant will attend all further Court proceedings. The amount of the bond is set by the Judge. Often the amount is more than an accused can afford to pay in cash and they need help from loved ones who can.

A friend or family member can post cash directly for the accused from outside of jail in order to get them released from custody. The person paying the bond must go to the court where the accused is incarcerated and sign some paperwork.

A professional bail company with years of experience is familiar with the required forms and can assist a loved one with the process. A bail bondsman will also provide a confidential financial assessment to determine the best solution for you. The bond company will charge a fee to obtain the bond, usually 10% or less of the total bond amount. The bond company may ask for some form of collateral in addition to the fee depending on the circumstances.

How Much Does a Bail Bond Cost?

Depending on the state, bail bond costs generally range between 10% and 15% of the bond amount. This fee is a non-refundable premium that pays for the bail bondsman’s service. A bail bondsman takes a financial risk by posting the defendant’s entire bail amount for them, so they charge this fee to offset their risk.

In addition to the premium, some bail bonds require collateral that can be used to cover the cost of the bond should the defendant fail to appear for court. This collateral can be in the form of cash, property, or even automobiles.

It is important to note that if the defendant fails to appear for any of their court dates, they will forfeit the bail amount and be returned to jail. The indemnitor (usually a family member or friend) is responsible for ensuring the defendant appears at all scheduled court appearances. If they do, the bail bondsman will be repaid in full.

How Can I Get a Bail Bond?

A person who cannot afford to pay their bail amount can hire a bail bonds person. These are private people who do not work for the court. They charge a fee, usually 10% of the bond amount, and take pledged property called collateral to secure the bond. They are required to provide detailed and signed receipts of all premiums and collateral given to them. They must also return any and all collateral promptly when the court issues an exoneration.

Defendants who fail to appear for their court dates can be charged with the full bail amount by the bail company that wrote the bond. This is why it is important to make all of their court appearances.

Experienced bail bond companies will have developed a sleuth of contacts within the legal system and can more than likely expedite getting you or your loved one released from jail as soon as possible. They may also be able to get your bail amount reduced.

Where Can I Get a Bail Bond?

There are a few different types of bail bonds. Some are secured by insurance companies (like surety bonds), while others use a person’s property as collateral. The property can be anything from a car to a house or work-related equipment.

Once the defendant is arrested, they will be given a hearing date and an amount of money to pay for their release. This is where a bail bondsman can come in handy.

The defendant will pay a fee, usually 10% or less of the bond amount to the bail bondsman who will then secure the rest of the bond with the insurance company or put up any other required collateral. They will then meet the defendant at the jail to post the bond and get them released.

The bail bondsman will then make periodic check-ins with the court to ensure the defendant shows up for their court dates. If the defendant fails to appear, the bail bondsman will hire a bounty hunter to find them and bring them back into custody.