Nobody wants that late-night phone call from a family member or good friend saying they've been arrested and need help with their bail -- but it happens.
In those kinds of situations, it's not unusual to turn to a 24-hour bail bonding service for help. However, navigating the bail bonds process can be confusing and frustrating if you don't know what to expect. This guide can help demystify the process.
How Does the Bail Bond System Work?
Bail is basically the judicial balance between the idea that everybody's presumed innocent of the charges against them until they're actually convicted and the state's interest in making sure that the accused doesn't simply disappear. To those ends, the court requires the accused to put up a sum of money as a guarantee that they'll show up to court when required.
That amount is often high enough to make anybody think twice about forfeiting it by not coming back, so it's usually more cash than they have readily available. That's where the bail bondsman comes in. They'll post the bail on your loved one's behalf in exchange for a fee.
What Do You Need to Have Ready When You Call the Bail Bondsman?
To get through this situation with a minimum amount of hassle and stress, you need the following information:
- Your loved one's full legal name as it appears on their driver's license or state ID card
- The location of the jail or detention center in which your loved one is being held
- The booking number or case number (to facilitate locating your loved one in the system)
- The exact charges, including "counts" of the same offense, against your loved one
- The exact bail amount that has been set by the court
This information will allow the bail bondsman to tell you if they will accept the job and what you will be charged. Typically, you can expect to pay between 8% and 10% of the total bail amount up-front as the bail bondsman's fee, which is not refundable even if your loved one is eventually acquitted or the charges are dismissed.
You May Also Need Collateral to Secure the Bond
While the cash you pay upfront for the bail bondsman's services is how they make their profit, they still may want additional reassurance that they'll be able to recover their losses if your loved one doesn't appear for trial and they lose the bail money. If collateral is required, such as your vehicle or home, make sure to ask the bail bondsman what to bring with you to their office.
For more information on 24-hour bail bonds, contact a bail bond company in your area.
