What’s the worst phone call you could receive? Possibly, it’s the call that comes from your loved one in the dead of night. He’s going to jail, and he’s counting on you to get him out. Obviously, you want to have him home as quickly as possible, but you don’t have money for bail. However, all is not lost. Help is available via the bail bonds business.
Before Bail
Shortly after an arrest, all offenders are arraigned, or officially charged with a crime. This marks a defendant’s first appearance in front of a judge. During an arraignment, the judge schedules additional court dates and determines if your loved one may be released in the meantime. Releases may be granted on offenders’ own recognizance, or on bail.
Understanding Bail
Bail is a common way for courts to ensure continued cooperation by defendants. Your loved one can only go home once a specific sum of money is paid, as designated by a judge. Those who attend all their appointments will get their bail back. Delinquent defendants forfeit their bail and also face further charges for failing to appear.
Posting Bail
Persons paying their loved ones’ bail are commonly shocked by the cost. The high amount provides an incentive for offenders to show up as ordered. Rather than furnish the full amount, it’s customary for friends and family to hire a bail bond agent PA, who handles bail on their behalf.
Bail bondsmen work with the courts, who will let your loved one go for a fraction of the cost. This lesser sum, generally 10 to 15% of the original, is what families pay to the bondsman. In return, the bondsman signs a promise to pay the defendant’s full bail amount if he misses a court date. As long as your loved one follows the judge’s instructions, the agent’s fee is all the bail you’ll have to pay.
After Bail
Posting a person’s bail isn’t the end but rather the beginning of something bigger. Just as a bondsman becomes liable for your loved one’s bail, you’re now responsible for his conduct while in your custody. Agents left with defendants’ full bail amounts have the right to reclaim costs from their guarantors. They can even contract skip tracers to forcibly find fugitive offenders. Therefore, make sure your loved one meets all conditions set by the court.
When your loved one is in jail, you need a plan to secure his release as soon as you can. For the best chance of success, build your plan around a bail bondsman.
