What You Should Know About Bail Bonds
Did you know that more than half of all American men will be arrested at some point in their lifetime? And generally speaking, one in three individuals will be arrested by the time they reach age 23. This happens for a number of reasons, from drunk driving incidents to minor infractions. But regardless of the reason, it’s important to note that everyone makes mistakes and everyone deserves a chance to compose themselves and gather a reasonable case before appearing in a court of law. Luckily, that’s what bail bonds are for.
What is a Bail Bond? Why do you need bail?
A bail bond is an insurance policy of sorts that allows the defendants to leave jail while ensuring that they will appear in court until the final disposition of their case. Bail bonds are usually obtained through bail bond services and bail bond agencies.
Is there a difference between a bail and a bond? If so, what is it?
When a defendant is initially arraigned, the judge normally sets both bail and bond. These are two different amounts which can be completely different. The bail can be paid to the jail in order to ensure that the defendant gets released. The bond, however, is done through a bail bond agency.
What is a bail bond agency?
Bail bond services act as an affordable middleman that allows the defendant to get out of jail without paying the entire bond amount.
How does the process work?
Once a suspect is arrested and taken into custody, they are allowed to make a phone call. If the crime is small, the suspect is able to post bail immediately after booking. Bail bondsman pledge money or property as bail for suspects who cannot afford to bail themselves out. To pay for the services, the defendant typically has to provide some sort of collateral.
What kinds of bail are available?
There are several different types of bail bonds available. Each method of bail works best for each individual person. There’s a cash bail, that means you or a bondsman pays the full amount in cash. There’s a surety bond, which is a bond made by a family member of the defendant and an agreement to pay a bondsman. Then there’s a property bond, that uses property as a collateral to cover a bond. Read more about this topic at this link.