Three Things To Know About Bail Bonds
Posted on: 18 December 2020
Is a loved one in jail and wants to be released as soon as possible? They are likely asking for help with getting the bail money they need for an early release. Here is what you need to know about the process of using bail bonds.
The Bail Hearing
When someone is accused of a crime and arrested, they are taken to a local area jail where they must wait for their hearing. This hearing can happen very soon after the arrest or the very next day when a judge is in to hold the hearing. The hearing is when a judge formally charges the accused person with a crime, and then, the person waits in jail until their court date.
However, a judge will typically set an amount of money required for bail, meaning that the accused person can get released early and live their life until their court date. The amount needed for bail is essentially collateral to ensure that the person returns to court.
The Bail Bond Request
If you do not have the money to bail someone out of jail, you'll need to reach out to a local bail agent so that you can receive a bail bond. This is essentially a short term loan where the bail agent provides the money that you need to post bail and release your loved one, but it does come at a price. In order to get the bail bond process started, you'll need to have some key information so that the bail agent can locate your loved one. Be prepared to provide their full name, the jail that they are being held at, their booking number, and the charges that have been made against them.
The Bail Bond Fee
The fee that is charged for using a bail bond will vary depending on the charges and where you live. That is because a more serious crime has a more serious risk to the bail agent, and you may be charged a higher premium in order to get a bail bond. Each state also has its own restrictions on how much of a premium can be charged to you, so there is an upper limit to the premium. It typically is around 10% to 15% of the total cost of bail. Of course, you can lower how much money you need by using your own money as well. This puts more risk on you and can help lower the premium as a result, as well as simple borrowing less money.
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