How Bail Bonds Work

1. How Bail Bonds Work There are many steps to get out of jail; this includes helping a friend or relative in need. To get out of jail, getting bailed out is possible. However, bail is sometimes very high, and bailing someone out of jail requires trust and responsibility. Before you bail someone out, it is crucial to ensure that they will appear in court. The practice of bail bonds is almost exclusively found in the United States. Beyond the United States, it is illegal in most countries. And in the United States, there is much controversy surrounding bail bonds. However, to understand the criticism concerning bail bonds, we first have to consider what this business is all about. What Is A Bail Bond? A bail bond allows a defendant to pay the jail to be released before their court date. However, the defendant must remain in jail until they can pay bail if they cannot afford it. You have the option to pay the entire bail amount yourself in many cases and jurisdictions. Many offenses have very low bond amounts. Sometimes, the jail

2. may accept credit card payments. If that's the case, the defendant can also pay the amount that way; however, they might be charged a small fee. When a bail bond worker—called bail bondsmen or bail agents—is hired, they will write a contract for you. This agreement will outline your responsibilities for the defendant's attendance at court proceedings. How Does A Bail Bond Work? Bail bond agencies are usually open 24 hours a day because arrests can occur anytime. Many times, paperwork and payment can be made electronically to speed up the process. Next, to ensure that the person appears in court, the paperwork written by the bondsman will also include information about what the defendant has placed on the line. What does this mean? This is to give some collateral if they fail to appear in court. Furthermore, various fees will be included in your paperwork. For example, a bail agent will need the full name, the booking number, and the charges against the defendant. They also need the address of the jail where they are being held. After this, the bail agent will release the defendant from jail. The bail bond agents are then given the court date, the receipt, and all necessary paperwork to follow up on the case. This process can take up to an hour, depending on the case's complexity and how busy it is. What Is A Bail Hearing? Sometimes, a bail hearing is necessary. This is when the court will determine the bail amount. The judge will review the facts of the case as well as the nature of the crime. Bail schedules are often posted at jails depending on where they are located and what state laws are in effect. These schedules determine the amount of bail required for each crime. They can be paid directly at the jail before a bail hearing. The jailhouse bail schedules are usually set in stone and non- negotiable. How Much is A Bail Bond?

3. If you use the services of bail bond agencies, they will charge you a fee. The fees charged by bail bond agencies vary according to the state. Some states have higher fees than others. Also, because there is some risk involved in bailing the defendant out, extra fees will also be added for that. Some extra fees include the collateral (as mentioned before), which is anywhere between 10-20% of the bail. This percentage will, again, depend on the state. The contract will specify whether the fee will be paid upfront or monthly. What Happens If The Defendant Fails To Show Up At Court? The bail bondsman will have to pay all bail if the defendant does not attend court proceedings. The bail bondsman will then hire a bounty hunter to locate the defendant and return them to jail. This is where that collateral is necessary. Depending on the contract, the person who hired the bondsman and signed the contract will most likely have penalties. What Is A Bounty Hunter?

4. If the defendant fails to appear in court and runs away, they are considered a fugitive. This means there is a warrant for their arrest. A bounty hunter is a registered or trained professional responsible for capturing and finding fugitives. Normally, they have backgrounds as private investigators or something similar. Sometimes, bondsmen can be bounty hunters as well. There are many state regulations regarding bounty hunters; some states have restricted bounty hunting altogether. After capturing the fugitive, bounty hunters are paid a percentage of the total bail amount—typically around 10-20%. The main goal of bounty hunters is to keep the interests of the bail bondsman, as well as to make sure the criminal is caught and doesn't cause more harm. Why Are Bail Bonds Controversial? While there is much support for bail bonds and bail bond agents, some people think this business should be abolished. The main argument is the price of bail and the price of hiring a bail bondsman. Many people have condemned bail bonds as a form of injustice against low- income communities and fueling mass incarceration. These low-income communities can't afford to pay bail; thus, unfortunately, they're often left with little to no options.