What You Can Expect When You Need A Bail Bondsman
ShareIf you get arrested and the police allow you to make a few calls, who should you contact? A family member or loved one will be on the list, but a bail bondsman should also be one of the very first people you contact.
Early After Being Arrested
If your telephone privileges are limited and there's only time for one phone call at first, then call a family member or friend and have them contact a bail bondsman for you. It's important to contact a bail bondsman early after being arrested, but it's not so important who makes the contact. To get started, all a bond company typically needs are the details of your arrest (including your booking number) and the cost of your bail.
A Short-Term Loan
The cost of your bail is provided as a short-term loan. A bond company is basically loaning you the money, so you must be sure that you're in a position to repay these funds in line with the bond company's terms and conditions. There will also be a fee for the service, which is understandable and is how the bond company makes its money. But don't worry—you don't need to borrow the total amount of your bail.
Bail Percentage
Most types of bail bonds are only a percentage of the total bail amount. For example, when paying a percentage of the bail, you may only need to pay 10% of the total amount to secure your pretrial release. This percentage can be different in each jurisdiction and can be different in each case.
A Simple Process
The process of hiring a bail bondsman is deliberately simple. Once arrangements have been made and carried out, you will be released pending trial. It's your responsibility to repay your percentage of the bail within the terms and conditions of your agreement with your bail company. If a family member or friend helped you to secure your bail, they may have cosigned for it. This means that repayment to the bond company is also their responsibility. It's also your responsibility to follow the conditions of your bail. If you breach your bail conditions, you and any cosigners may be responsible for paying the full amount of your bail—and not just repaying the previous bail percentage.
Finding a bail bondsman and arranging bail shouldn't be too complicated—and the most important thing is that you stick to your bail conditions. Contact a bail bondsman to learn more.