Seven Questions to ask a Potential Bail Bond Company
You hope that you never need to use a bond company. But if you do, there are a few things that you should ask them to make sure that you have the right one company for your needs. Below are seven questions that you can ask to help you get a good idea about whether a bond company is the right one.
How much do you charge?
The rate that the company is going to charge will be legally mandated from state to state. The company is going to charge you anywhere from 8 to 15% of the total amount of bail based on the state that you’re in. Make sure you’re cautious of any company offers for a good rates. It might mean they’re not operating legally and they’re not a company that’s reputable.
How quickly will you be able to get a person released?
The company is only able to control paperwork and the part of the release process that they take part in . The majority of bondsman will have pretty accurate time frames about when a defendant will be able to be released. Getting a person released from jail is often an unpredictable and slow process, so you want to be patient while waiting. The first thing the jail is going to be concerned about is safety.
What’s the process for a bail bond?
Professional companies should have no problem explaining the procedure effortlessly. Below is basically the way that the process will work:
The company is going to collect some general and basic information about the situation so that they can ask assess the bond’s risk factor. An example would be where the person is being held, their charges, the length of time they’ve lived where their current residence is, if they’re employed and where.
The customer will have to arrange payment and complete the bond documents so that the ba bond application, receipt and indemnity agreement are included.
The company will then post bail, and the defendant is going to be released.
Is your company licensed?
For example, California bondsman receives their licenses through California’s department of insurance. They’re also the only ones that are permitted legally for negotiating and posting bond. You want to make sure that you were only dealing with companies who have valid and current licenses and they’re in good standing. Ask to see the license and identification of the bail agent before giving them money and completing your transaction.
Where are you located?
Sometimes, a bondsman isn’t in the state where you live. When this happens, it might cost you a lot more money because of the posting fee, and that’s the fee when the bondsman may need to pay another one to post your bail. To expedite the processes and make sure you’re not paying anything extra, find a guarantor that’s within a distance that’s reasonable from the jail that is holding the person.
What’s the indemnitor’s responsibilities?
The Indemnitor is the person who bails a person out of jail, accepting the full responsibility that they are going to show up to their court date. If the person doesn’t appear, the indemnitor will be responsible for helping the bondsman find them. If they aren’t able to be found, the indemnitor has to pay the full bail amount. Most of the issues with bail bonds can be handled using a simple phone call.
What happens if the person doesn’t come to the court case?
This question can vary between bond companies, but the process is pretty much the same. There will be a warrant issued for their arrest, and they’re going to show up in the police bulletins as being a fugitive. The company is going to try locating the defendant through calling their home, their work, their references and instructing them to go to their hearing. If a defendant isn’t able to be located, the company might hire one of the bounty hunters for locating and arresting them.
Keep in mind that this process for a bail bond is going to vary between states. But when you understand these fundamental questions that you should ask a potential bond company, it will help you with making the right decision on which companies to choose to help you through a tough time in your life.
4 Tips for Choosing a Bail Bondsman
When you or someone you love has gone to jail, it can be a terrifying time. Not only is the person’s future uncertain, but you want to get them out of jail as soon as possible. One of the best ways that you can do this is through getting a bail guarantor since most people don’t have the money upfront to pay for bail. Below are four tips that you can use to find the right bail bondsman for you or your loved one to help them get out of jail as soon as possible.
Ask your lawyer for references
This is a good idea whether you choose to hire a lawyer or you were given one of the public defenders. A lawyer has connections and lots of experience when it comes to legal matters, and they should have enough knowledge that they can provide you a few names of trustworthy bail guarantors. Since the agencies often work very closely with law enforcement and local attorneys, the bondsmen that are respectable and solid are going to be shared with those in the industry.
Look on Yelp
A lot of people think of you often is a place to go for recommendations for food, but this isn’t the case. Professional services such as bail bond agencies also use Yelp. Here you can read the reviews that previous clients have left and learn about the services of the company. Even though it’s a bad idea to select your bail bondsman solely based on the reviews on Yelp, it can help you see what kind of services they’ll give you.
Research the Licenses
Before you choose your bail bondsman, you want to check out the license that they have. Go to the website of your state licensing department to get up-to-date information regarding the licensing status of an agency. Chances are you’re also going to find any kinds of complaints that were filed against the agency and the bondsman. This information can be beneficial when you’re trying to choose the right bondsman for your case.
Ask About the Bondsman‘s Experience and Resources
Even though it’s true that all of the agents have to be paid the same fees, some of the bond agencies provide more flexible, better payment plans and options compared with other agencies. A good bail bondsman is always going to put the needs of their clients first and understand the financial requirements as well as provide the right solution to fit the client’s abilities.
These are four tips that you can use to help you find the right bail bondsman for your needs. Hopefully, you will never have to use these tips, but when you do they will help you find the right bail bondsman to help yourself or someone else got out of jail quickly. The bail bondsman is there to help you during a tough time in your life. But you want to make sure that you have the right one for your needs and that they will do their best to help you out.
Our Justice System Over the Past 400 Years
How America’s justice system has changed is a very fascinating topic which can lead to many years of exploration and historical study. Our country’s full of fact and folklore regarding criminal justice. Below we have provided you with a quick snapshot of the key events.
First Settlers
The settlers that came to our shores first brought with them England’s common law. It was based on a premise known as Mens Reas, which means guilty mind, along with the Catholic Church’s influence. There was a lot of irony in this since a lot of colonists left England because of religious persecution.
William Penn
The colonial laws stayed the norm until the reform of the criminal justice system was promoted by William Pen before the American Revolution. Since he was a Quaker, he embraced the need for implementing practices that were more humane to the system, which included constructing reasonable criminal housing. Following the Revolution, the Constitution is what reigned over all of the freedoms and rights of the people. People who were innocent were given greater protections, some jurisdictions eliminated physical punishment, and a lot of prisons were built.
Civil War & Reconstruction
This is when the next big upheaval came. The south and north saw differently on equal rights and prisoners’ treatment since many of them were slaves who were freed. The nation’s focus changed again as a lot of immigrants came to the country. There was an escalation of social problems and we established rehabilitation.
Theodore Roosevelt
He was a big reformer back in the early part of the 1900s and he was the reason why a lot of the progressive ideas got rolling. This is where we saw the creation of things like the FBI, new laws for sentencing and the system for juvenile justice. This system continued evolving through our history’s next stages – WWI, Prohibition, Great Depression and finally WWII.
Post War
Everyone was happy when the wars end. But this saw another problem – war protests, drug use and race riots are what we saw in the 60s and 80s. The justice system had a backlash toward the tougher sentences as well as the system being expanded.
A lot of what we see today’s still rooted in getting tough on the problem of crime that’s given us the prisons that are too crowded and concerns that are related. It’s time for the system to change again so that justice can be fair to everyone again.
The Series of Events That Happen After an Arrest
If you have ever been arrested, you probably know what to expect. For those who haven’t been arrested or who know someone who’s been arrested, below are the steps that people go through after their arrest.
Miranda Rights are Read
When you’re arrested, many times the Miranda Rights are going to be read to you. Sometimes they aren’t read. The police only have to read them if they’re going to question you. You should remember that anything that you say can still be used in court against you. If you present information voluntarily, the officer can use what you’ve said without reading the rights.
When you’re being arrested and you decide you want to get an attorney, they have to stop interrogating you and you’ll be able to talk to one.
Initial Processing
When you’re arrested, you’re going to be handcuffed. Unless there are any unusual circumstances, you’re first going to go to that precinct where your arrest happened to be processed. You’ll be interviewed by an officer who will ask for your information, like your SSN, birth date, name, etc.. After your fingerprints have been taken, you’re going to head to Central Booking, where you’re going to be processed for your arraignment. This is when you go before the judge.
If you’ve never been in a jail, processing probably will come as a huge shock. It can be quite overwhelming and you’re going to be thinking about your future. Try remaining calm and keep in mind that you have rights to a trial. Nothing has been determined at this point.
Questioning
Based on what you’re being charged with, if you’re willing to talk, and whether the officers are interested in talking to you quickly, it’s possible that you’re going to be immediately taken to be questioned. This doesn’t mean you have to answer, and you can have a lawyer present, but it’s possible you’re going to feel pressure from the officers to answer. In just about every case, it’s a good idea to wait to answer questions until you’re represented.
Ability to Post Bail
Most of the people who are arrested can post bail, with the exception of serious crimes or rare instances. When you’re in jail, this is the thing that you’re thinking about the most.
Bail is able to be posted on the arrestee’s behalf. This is usually done through a bond or money. This is going to serve as surety that you’ll appear in court.
Initial Hearing
It doesn’t matter if you have posted bail – you should have a quick initial hearing. This usually will happen in several hours or two to three days. This is when your charges will be stated and what penalties come with those charges. This is also when you’re going to plead not guilty or guilty.
Plea Bargaining
Most criminal cases are resolved out of court because both parties (the defense and the prosecution) have made an agreement. This is called plea bargaining.
This is common because all sides benefit. You, as the defendant, will be able to avoid a long defense and possibly a much harsher punishment. On the prosecution side, they save the money and time that having a trial requires. Courts can also cut down how many cases they’re hearing.
The defense or the prosecution can start negotiating over a possible plea bargain. However, both sides must agree before it happens. A plea bargain will usually involve a defendant’s guilty plea to one charge or to lesser charges. The plea also might be guilty as charged, and the prosecution may recommend sentencing leniency.
Trial
If the charges brought against you stick and there isn’t an offered or reached plea bargain, you’re going to trial. You probably know this, but the prosecution will have to prove that you’re guilty beyond the reasonable doubt so that you’re shown to be guilty. You’re also going to be confronted by any of the witnesses that are brought against you. You also will be offered to testify.
These are the things that will happen after an arrest. Just make sure that you stay calm and don’t make any rash decisions.
A Short History of Bail Bondsmen
The system that involves posting property or money for the temporary release when a trial is pending goes all the way back to the 13th century in England. Commercially offering the bail bonds came from the need for balancing and giving people options even when they are middle or poor classes when they have been accused of committing a crime.
Bondsman accent percentages of the required bail and they’ll post the remainder for someone that has been charged and waiting their trial. In the years past, only the people who had ample property and money could be released. Entrepreneurs came to the realization that if they had enough capital, they’d be able to offer the court this security in the name of the defendant after they’d gotten a certain amount for insurance. There is additional fees involved when you use a commercial service, and this is the way that the organization gets their profits.
United States bondsman have been doing this since our country was founded. The bail bond laws have been refined and changed as the years have passed. These laws mostly address fairness when it comes to setting the amounts based on the rime that’s been charged. There have been practices changed by the bondsmen based on the state laws where they practice, but for the most part the basic concept’s remained the same.
This business of posting a bail bond for people who are court qualified provides a service that is much-needed. Those people who can’t procure the whole amount that the court sets find that this service is invaluable to them and their families.
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.
7 Most Common Crimes in Florida
If you are moving to Florida or you’re thinking of moving there, chances are that you want to know what types of crimes happen there. Below are 7 of the most common crimes in Florida and some explanations of what they are and what their punishments are.
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Steps to Becoming a Bail Bondsman
A lot of people think about becoming bail bondsman. If you are interested in becoming one, it’s important that you know what the steps are for becoming a bondsman. Below are four steps that you need to take before you can get into this business.
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Top 10 Most Crime Ridden Cities in Florida
Florida vacations bring to mind theme parks, sandy beaches and a lot of fun. But if you go to the wrong part of Florida on vacation, you might also run into some crime and be robbed, raped or worse. Below are the most dangerous and crime ridden cities in Florida.
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A Guide to Joining the World of Bail Bondsman
Becoming one of the country’s bail bondsmen can be a risky but rewarding business. There are some states that won’t allow people who are arrested to post a bail commercially. But these types of companies are extremely popular in those states which allow them to exist. These are the steps that you want to take if you want to go into this business.
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A Guide to Posting Bail for a Friend or Family Member
You have good friends. You want to help them in any way that you can. Does this mean that you’re willing to post bail for them? If your answer is yes, then you want to read on and know exactly what you’re getting into if you post bail for a friend or family member.
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Bail bond laws in Florida
If you have thought about becoming a bail bond agent or you may need a bail bond agent in Florida, it’s important to know the laws. Below are the laws regarding bail bond agents in Florida.
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5 Reasons Why Choosing a Bail Bondsman is a Good Idea
Hopefully you won’t ever have to experience going to jail. But if you do, chances are that you have heard of bail bondsman and wondered if they are really the way to go. The truth is that there are many good reasons why you should use a bail bondsman if you are in jail and they have offered bail. Below are five things that a bail bondsman will do for you.
What are Fugitive Recovery Agents?
You have a friend that you helped with bail and they said they’d go to their court date. But now they’re missing and you have to pay the bond. You have no idea where they are or how to get in touch with them. What can do you do? The best thing that you can do is look into fugitive require agents for tracking them down and saving your money.
The Life of a Bail Bondsman
Were you ever curious about what bail bonds agents do? Well we’re going to give you a look at what their life is like. Even though they’ve cropped up more in the media due to television shows, people all over the country have become a lot more interested in what their life is like. But what do they do and how does this system work?
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How to Know if Your Rights are Being Violated
When someone’s accused you of committing some type of crime, there are rights that you have, and these rights have been guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. If you’ve been accused, is there a way to know if you have rights that were violated? Below are some questions that you can ask yourself to see if your rights are being violated.
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How to Get Released After You’ve Been Arrested
You have done something wrong and now you have found yourself in jail. You know that you messed up. You know that you have done something wrong and you really don’t want to be here. You are probably scared, especially if it’s your first time in jail, or you may be mad at yourself for being so dumb.
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A Guide to Bail and Bail Bonds
When someone is arrested, they call someone to secure their bail bond so that they can get released. Unless you have dealt with this in the past, there’s a good chance you’ve learned the things you know about bail bonds from television. There’s a lot more to it than the judge banging a gavel and saying what the bail is.
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