What You Need To Know When Enlisting A Bail Bond Service For The First Time

Having a loved one get arrested can be a stressful experience. What makes this situation even more nerve-wracking is if you do not have enough money to bail them out of jail as they await trial. This is not surprising considering that bail money tends to be an expense that is not budgeted for. Moreover, the cost can be quite exorbitant depending on the crime they are charged with.

However, this does not automatically mean that all hope is lost. If you are determined to get your loved one out of jail, you could consider contacting a bondsman. This individual will pay the bond on your behalf but at a fee. At the outset, this may sound like a complicated process but it does not have to be. Keep reading for what you need to know when enlisting a bail bond service for the first time.

Does the bondsman need personal details of the defendant?

Typically, bondsmen do not need to know everything about your loved one for them to pay their bond. However, they will require specific information that will help with facilitating the bail process. For starters, you need to provide the bondsman with the defendant's official name as well as the booking number assigned to them.

Secondly, the bondsman needs to know where your loved one is being held and the exact amount of money required for bail. As long as you provide the bondsman with accurate details, they can draft the paperwork.

How much will you be charged for a bail bond service?

There is no standard charge for this process, irrespective of your state. Instead, your expenses will depend on the amount of bail required, since most bondsmen will bill their services at a percentage of this figure. You should also be mindful of the fact that the amount of money you will be charged will not be returned to you. Therefore, even when your loved one attends court when required to, this fee will not be reimbursed.

Are there consequences if the defendant evades their hearing?

The answer is yes. Once you take out a bail bond, similar to having a signatory on a loan, you immediately assume the position of being an underwriter for your loved one. Thus, if the defendant flees the state and, consequently, misses their hearing, you will be liable for paying back the bondsman. Any assets you provided as collateral will be confiscated by the bail bond company.

If you have more questions, contact a business that provides bail bonds services.