How to Choose a Durham Bail Bonds Company

Hearing that a loved one has been arrested is a stressful experience, and trying to scrape together money for bail only adds to that stress.

Finding a bond company should not be an additional worry for you, which is why we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you find the right Durham bail bonds company to help you.

The Bail Bond Process

Before we begin, let’s review the process for acquiring a bail bond.

Bail is a sum of money that is set by a judge and is used to ensure the accused returns to the court for trial. To be temporarily released from jail, the accused must pay the amount in full to the court.

If the accused cannot pay the amount in full, he can hire a bail bond company to post his bail in exchange for a non-refundable fee. The bail bond company essentially provides an insurance policy on the bond amount and guarantees to the court that the accused will reappear for his court date.

The Department of Insurance sets bail bond fees. Typically, bond bail rates are 10% of the bail amount.

Tips for Finding a Durham Bail Bonds Company

Ask for a Referral

Asking a defense attorney for a referral is perhaps the best way to find a Durham bail bonds company. Defense lawyers regularly interact with bondsmen and know who has a good reputation and who does not.

Search Online

When searching for a bail bond online, search for bondsmen who practice in your county.

Take a look at each bail bond company’s website and cross-reference them with bail bond directories like bailbond.com. If a bail bond company has a professional looking website with lots of information and testimonials, they are worth giving a call.

Phone Test

Once you’ve identified a few bail bondsmen online, give each a call to see how helpful the people you speak to are. A good representative should be able to explain the bail bond process in easy language and willingly answer any questions you have.

Check Their Credentials

When you check a bondsman’s credentials, you want to ensure he has good online reviews, a good score on Better Bail Bureau, and has a valid and up-to-date bail license.

When you ask to see his bail license, ask if he has ever been suspended or been sued. A good bail bondsman should be upfront about their history.

Ask About All Fees

Before signing anything, ensure all fees are laid out clearly in the contract. You should see the 10% fee plus any other service fees the bondsman requires. Do keep a lookout for any recurring fees

Do keep a lookout for any recurring fees. This is a sign the bondsman is only looking to turn a profit, and you should not hire him.

Understand the Contract Before Signing

Your contract with a Durham bail bonds company should lay out the fees you are expected to pay, any payment plan you have worked out with the bondsman, and any property collateral. Make sure any timeline for the forfeiture of any property is outlined and that the bondsman guarantees to provide invoices.

We hope you have found these tips helpful. If you have any questions, please give us a call at (919) 790-6887 or contact us here.