After an arrest, your financial situation may not be the first thing on your mind. Instead, getting out of jail is likely front and center. The only way to get out of jail is to either be released on your own recognizance or to pay bail. While bail is more than a financial issue, you cannot be released if you cannot pay bail or purchase a bail bond. To help with the financial part of your problem, read on and find out about the most affordable way to attain freedom.
The Bail Issue
If you are offered bail, you will be informed of the total amount. Get ready — it can be in the thousands of dollars and is based on the crime to which you are accused, your criminal record, and the guidelines of the state. If you have the funds, the bail money you pay is refunded at the conclusion of the case. In some cases, court costs, penalties, and other financial costs are deducted from the refund. For many people, bail is just not affordable. Fortunately, you have an option that will get you out of jail for a lot less money than the amount charged by the court.
What Are Bail Bonds?
Bail bond companies are often located geographically near jails. They also work closely with the courts to help defendants post bail. A bail bond is a promise, or a guarantee, between the court system and the bail bonding agent. The agent agrees to pay the full amount of the bail if the defendant absconds and takes a form of custody over the defendant. This relationship exists for the duration of the court case. Once the defendant is sentenced, the bail bonding agent is no longer responsible for them. Should the defendant fail to appear for a court hearing, the bail agent must either locate and return the defendant to jail or face paying the original cost of the bail as charged.
For the defendant, bail bonds represent another type of agreement. You pay the bail bonding agent a certain percentage of the bail. Say the full bail amount is $10,000, and the bail bond costs 10% of that. Once you've paid the bonding agent $1,000, they will complete the agreement with the court, and you are free to go. For your part, you must agree to appear at upcoming court hearings and abide by all the other conditions of the bail. While bail bond costs are not refundable, taking care of bail in this manner frees up vital financial resources the might be held by paying bail.
Speak to a bail bonding agent or a local company like All Night & Day Bailbonds to learn more.