How do Bail Bonds Work?

Bail bonds are something that a lot of people hear about on the news. When someone is arrested, many times they are released on bail. But how is it that bail bonds work? What is the process? We’re going to look at the process behind bail bonds.

Bail Background

Anytime someone is arrested because it’s suspected that they committed a crime, they are taken by the police to the jail to be booked. When this happens, their mug shot’s taken and they’ll be fingerprinted. They then are asked to make a statement. when they are awaiting their court day, the person will be in jail unless they can be released. That is where bail comes in.

What is Bail?

Bail is simply a financial arrangement a bonding agency is going to make on the person’s behalf. The agency, acting for that person, and the court are going to make an arrangement that the person is released pending their trial as long as they have collateral or money. The collateral might be a bond, assets, or cash. The bail value is set by the court.

The agency then is responsible for making sure the person comes to court for their trial. If they don’t show up, the agency might have one of their bounty hunters track them down. Bounty hunting is still allowed in the United States. The bond’s surety the entre bail is going to be paid but there are courts that will accept the entire bond or 10% down for a suspect to be released.

How Bondsman and Bonds Work

When the bail bondsman, who is working with the agency, puts the fee for a suspect to be released on bail, there’s a fee of approximately 10% of th total bail amount charged by the bondsman. This amount isn’t refundable, even when the case gets thrown out once bail is posted.

The bondsman is going to take out security against the assets of a defendant so that the bail’s cost is covered. If there aren’t ample assets, the securities may be taken out against people who’re willing to help, like friends and relatives. When there’s a security taken out, the bondsman often will require that 10% in cash is paid along with a mortgage on their house equal to the whole amount the person owes in bail bond.

Conclusion

If the defendant is a no-show on the date of the trial, one of the bounty hunters the bondsman works with is often hired and the bondsman also may sue the defendant for the money that was given on the defendant’s behalf. The agency also may recover the money that is unpaid and claim assets owned by either the defendant or the people who helped them.

Contact Us

We are located within walking distance of the Lee County and Hendry County Jails. We offer prompt, courteous services to obtain the quick release of our clients from Southwest Florida detention facilities. We also offer bond postings outside our local area through our Surety Network. We accept all major credit cards, Western Union, and personal checks.