Process of Working With a Bail Bondsman
When you’re in dire need of financial assistance to help post bail for your loved one, a bail bondsman is the best way to go. While bail bondsmen have been around for years, there are lots of people that have never had to go through the process of posting bail or asking for help. As if the stress of a loved one in jail wasn’t enough to deal with, having to figure out the bail bond process the hard way can make the whole situation even worse.
Whether you’re in need of assistance with a bail bond right now or you’re simply interested in learning more about the process of posting bail, today’s blog is going to help! We are going to go over a few of the things that you’ll need to know before you can receive the assistance of a bail bondsman, what the process of getting the bond will look like, and what you can expect after the bail has been posted. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Determine What Type of Bond You’ll Need
As soon as you’ve recognized the need for assistance from a bail bond company, you’ll want to determine which type of bond you’re going to inquire about. There are three primary types of bonds that you could take advantage of.
Cash
Without a doubt, the most common type of bond that you can make is going to be a cash bond. These bonds are when you post bail using either cash or a money order. This will be money that you are able to gather or have in your savings. The important thing to note here is that this type of bond is entirely up to you to come up with.
Collateral
When you choose to use a bail bondsman to assist you with posting bail, you will have to pay a percentage of the full bond amount. After that, you will need to use a form of collateral to provide the bail bonds company with some reassurance that they’ll get the money that they’re fronting for the bond. This often comes in the form of your home, car, property, or credit.
Surety
The last type of bail that you have the option of is known as a surety. This is when you work with a bail bond company and provide them with the surety that the defendant will appear in court. This agreement requires you to pay a percentage of the bond that will be granted as well as signing the agreement to say that you, the signer, will be responsible for the remaining balance in the case that the defendant does not appear to court.
Know the Bail Amount
Now that you know the different options available for posting bail, the next thing that you need to figure out is the amount of bail that you need to take care of. This amount is going to vary based on the charges that were made and the history of the defendant. The judge will also take into consideration whether the defendant is a flight risk. Depending on the charges made and the criminal history, there is a chance that the judge will deny bail entirely.
The best way to go about finding the bail amount is by calling the jail. There is often a predetermined schedule for bail for common crimes. In order to really make any moves to get the defendant out of jail, the bail amount needs to be known. Once you’ve determined the amount, it’s time to make moves towards posting it.
Find a Bail Bondsman
Once you’ve determined the amount of bail that you’re going to need to take care of, it’s time to find a reliable bail bondsman. You will want to look for someone that has good reviews and offers their services 24/7. After all, the last thing that you want is a bail bondsman that isn’t available when you need them the most.
Finding a bail bondsman near you may pull up quite a few results, but if you’re really interested in finding the best bail bondsman in the Duluth area, check out our blog on the qualities that you should look for in a bail bonds company. Hopefully, that helps narrow down your options.
Understand the Bail Bondsman Fees
A bail bondsman is there to help you when you need financial assistance the most, but it’s essential that you understand there are associated fees when you choose to use a bail bondsman. Here in Georgia, the standard fee that you’ll see at a bail bond company will be anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the overall bond that is being made. Depending on the bail bond company that you go to, the fees will differ and the different types of bonds that they’re willing to make will vary.
Get the Bond Taken Care Of
After you’ve met with a bail bonds company that you are going to work with, it’s time to get things figured out. Taking care of the bail bondsman fee is the first step, and determining how the remainder of the balance will be covered is the next. Whether you choose to use collateral or you sign an agreement that states you will be responsible for the remainder of the balance, your bondsman will require some type of plan before they get the bond taken care of.
As soon as the paperwork has been taken care of, it’s time to get the bond taken care of. The bail bond company that you work with will either provide you with the cash right there or give you a cashier’s check with the bail amount. When bail amounts are set too high, the bail bond company will often send the bond money directly to the jail. As soon as the jail receives the bail amount, the defendant is free to go.
After the Release
Now that your loved one is released, it’s good to set some expectations of what needs to happen after release and how it affects the bond. The most important thing to note is that the defendant must attend their court date in order to get the bail money back. If you are signing for a loved one, then you’re going to want to ensure that you do everything in your power to get the defendant to court.
Aside from that, there’s not much else that needs to happen. The defendant should do their best to stay out of trouble and avoid legal repercussions at all cost. If you had set any regulations for the defendant in regards to the bond, you will also want to make sure that they follow through with these to ensure that their bond continues to be valid. If you have any questions, your bail bondsman will be able to answer questions and guide you in the right direction.
Contact ASAP Bonding
When you’re in need of assistance with posting bail, ASAP Bonding is here to help. Our team has been dedicated to providing the Duluth area with the assistance they need to get their loved ones out of jail. Whether it’s your first time working with a bail bondsman or you’ve gone through the process before, we will be there to help you along the way. Our efficient and quality customer service is what separates us from the rest. Contact us today to get the process of your bail bond started.