How the Bail Bonds Process Works

A bail bond agent is basically guaranteeing the court that the defendant will appear in court whenever summoned by the judge. A bail bond is a contract guarenteed by a bail agent and a defendant who is posting bail.

A bail agents fee is different in all states but is usually ten percent of the total bond which is determined by the judge. The judge determines the total amount of the bail considering the seriousness of the charges the defendant is being accused of.

Often times bail agents prefer to have the defendant or co signer arrange for collateral to be put up if they do not have the cash. If cash is not available, property such as real estate or automobiles can be used. If cash is available, it is usually preffered.

An insurance company will provide bail bonds through a bail agency who acts as an agent for a company to secure the release of a defendant pending trial.

A bond is usually good for one year and if a case goes beyond that point, an additional premium has to be produced in order to keep the bail bond working. The additional fee is up to but not more than another ten percent of the original amount of the bond.

Many jails around the US and even the world accept bail bonds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Most bail agencies are open on the same schedual and their services can be used anytime day or night.

It is up to the defendant to decide which release option fits him or her personally. There are many different types of release options that one can choose from including cash option, security bond, property bond, own recognizance, and citation release.

According to experts, there are a few things that one needs to take care of before hiring a bail bond agent. One should only hire a liscensed bail agent and prior to any transaction, one should ask to see the agent’s liscense and identification.

Tom Janky is knowledgeable about the bail bonds business. You can view his site on Toms River NJ bail bonds and Ocean County bail bonds by clicking the links.

Published by: Tom Janky on November 24th, 2009 | Filed under Legal



Leave a Comment

rss feed