Bail Bond 101: How to Bail Out Your Loved Ones
Do you know someone who has been incarcerated and placed on bail? Bail allows them to be released from jail if they pay a fee. However, this fee (bail) can be costly for the average person. As a result, they end up spending more time in jail. If you want to help your loved one with their bail, you can consider getting a bail bond. This is a loan for bail and covers a variety of different criminal accusations.
So how do you find the best bail bond services? What is the process on how to file for bail?
This detailed guide will help you find the ideal bail bond services for the incarcerated individual.
The Guide on How on the Bail Bond Process
If your loved one gets arrested, the first thing you should always do is consult a lawyer. They can advise best on what the next steps forward are. They can also play a part in convincing a judge to grant bail.
If bail gets granted, then you have to first be clear on the charge that the individual has received. You will have to research bail bond services that offer bail for a specific charge.
Here’s what else you need to know about the bail bond process:
Fees
As a general rule, you will have to pay a small portion of the bail bond for the bail to be posted. You will not be required to pay the entire amount in full, and you can discuss a payment plan with the bail bond service beforehand.
When searching for bail bond services, you can consider the fees they charge as part of your selection criteria. You want to make sure that you can afford the initial fee in one go so that your loved one can be released as soon as possible.
Research
When you research the various bail bond services, you have to check the credentials beforehand. You will later have to verify these credentials when you make an appointment.
First, however, you should research reviews of the bail bond services you consider. You should find as many positive testimonials as you can to prepare your shortlist. Once you have found a few potential candidates, then you can visit the offices for a further inquiry.
Inquiry
When you have found a few bail bond services, you want to inquire further about their services and credentials. This will help you narrow down which one is best for your needs.
For example, apart from finding out about the fees you want to also ask if the bail bond service has authorization in the particular jurisdiction. You need to confirm that they have a license and that they have a good rating from institutions such as the Better Business Bureau, etc.
You also want to learn about the track record of the bail bond service and how they have helped their clientele.
Will They Get Bail?
So once you have chosen your bail bond agency, you might wonder if the defendant will indeed receive bail.
As we mentioned in the introduction, the lawyer (and at times, the bail bondsman) can advocate on the defendant’s behalf to receive bail.
You have to look at the defendant’s criminal history, the severity of the charge, as well as the specific charge. These are all factors that determine whether bail will be granted.
It’s at the hearing where the defendant might or might not receive bail. It’s at the hearing where you want a lawyer and/or a bail bondsman to advocate and petition for the defendant to receive bail. Bail is not guaranteed and a judge has the authority to deny bail.
Paying Your Bail
If the defendant receives bail, you can pay the initial fee to the bail bondsman for bail them to post bail. Once the payment plan comes to an agreement, you must always honor your payments.
You want to make sure that you are regular with your payments. You have to look at a bail bond as you would any other type of loan. Not paying on time can result in legal action.
Even before you seek a bail bondsman, you want to make sure you can pay the bail. You can estimate or find the exact initial fee that you will have to pay. You must make sure you can pay this full amount. You also need to plan ahead on paying off the bail as soon as possible.
You can set aside your earnings, seek assistance from family and friends, liquidate some of your investments, and/or crowdfund the money needed to pay for bail. Whatever method you choose, you must pay your bail on time.
Luckily, bail bond services are understanding. You can discuss the payment plan beforehand. They are used to clients who need time to pay off the bail obligations.
Additional Facts About Bail
While there are a few states that prohibit bail bonds services, most don’t. The particularities of bail depend on the laws of each state.
A state might have a specific set price for bail depending on the crime committed. Other states will allow the judge to determine bail. If this is the case, the judge will determine bail on a variety of factors including criminal history, the severity of the charge, predicted flight risk of the accused, etc.
As long as the crime is not a capital offense, the accused has the right to petition for bail. Individuals who have received a charge for a violent offense can petition of bail — though, naturally this is much harder to petition for.
There are a variety of different bail bonds for a multitude of purposes. These include immigration bonds for immigrant detainees, a citation release that is usually for minor crimes, etc. Bonds can also get paid in the form of cash, property, or a surety bond. There are also bonds for federal crimes.
Let Us Help You
If you have a loved one who has a criminal charge, we can help you petition for bail. If they have received bail and you need help paying for it, we can help you with that as well!
Reach out to us today to see what we can do for you.