FAQs about Bail Bonds
Bail bonds might seem confusing, especially when you are stressed out by the arrest of a friend or family member. Luckily, here at ASAP Bail Bonds in Cobb County, we are here to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about bail bonds, and to offer you fast, caring service when you need to bail someone out of an area jail. In an effort to make our processes as transparent and easy to understand as possible, we consistently add new content to this page and to our blog. Check back often to learn more about ASAP and how bail bonds work.
Contact us as soon as possible to get the ball rolling: we work as quickly as possible because we understand how important it is to allow everyone to get back to their normal lives before a trial. In addition to our bail bonds, we also offer a free warrant search that covers the Atlanta metro area, as well as free consultations about bonds where we will cover the costs and responsibilities with you.
Do I Have to Use a Bondsman?
No. If you have the money to bail someone out of jail on your own, you don’t have to use a bail bondsman. However, there are several downsides to bailing someone out on your own. First, the cost of bail is generally quite high. When you don’t use a bondsman, you must pay the entire bail amount. While the entire amount is refunded to you if the arrested person shows up for their trial on time, many people find that the cost is just too high. Bonds give you the opportunity to bail someone out at a fraction (usually 10 percent) of the total bail amount. The bondsman assumes financial responsibility for the arrested person in the eyes of the court and pays the full bail amount. The person who pays the fees for the bond is responsible for providing the premium and collateral in the event that the defendant fails to show up for court.
Another reason that going through a bail bondsman is beneficial is that they understand how the court system works and can give you helpful advice about what is expected of the defendant. While they aren’t lawyers, they can tell you why it is important to comply with court orders as well as inform you of what your responsibilities are when you are out on bail.
Do You Get Your Money Back With a Bail Bond?
The short answer is: usually, no. The money that we, or any other bondsman, charge for a bail band is called the premium. We charge the premium so that we can run our office more efficiently: the premiums help ensure that we are able to process paperwork as quickly as we can so your friend or family member can be released faster. If we require collateral and you use cash, that is returned to you as soon as the person who was bonded out appears, on time, to their court date.
What Do I Do If I Think the Bonded Person Isn’t Going to Show Up?
If you paid for a bond for someone and put up collateral, you are obviously concerned about the defendant showing up for court. If you are worried that they aren’t going to make it to their trial, contact us right away. We will do everything we can to ensure that they make it there. Not only do we lose all of the money we put up for bail if the defendant fails to appear, but we also have to seize your collateral. The system works best when everyone gets what they want, so we try to make it as clean and simple as possible. We encourage clear and open communication between all parties to make this process run smoothly.
If you have a close friend or a family member in jail and you need to bail them out, contact us at ASAP Bail Bonds in Cobb County. We have locations all around the greater-Atlanta area, and we’re ready to help you, 24/7. We have many helpful features available on our website, including the ability to sign up for a bond online, so please browse the rest of our site to learn more about ASAP.