Understanding Bail Bonds can help you make the best decision for your situation. Knowing that the person who bails you out is responsible for ensuring you appear in court on all your assigned hearing dates is essential. Bail bond companies take several precautions to ensure that you show up for your appearances. They often prefer that you pledge a relative’s home or property as collateral, call you before each court date, and require periodic check-ins.
Security
When a person is arrested, they must wait until their trial date for their case to be resolved. This can be not easy, especially when they have work or family obligations. Bail bonds help to alleviate this stress by offering a form of security for the accused. The process is based on the principle that the accused will attend their court proceedings. The court refunds the deposit, or collateral, if they attend all court dates. The defendant can pay in cash bail bonds Wharton property, or surety bonds. They can also hire a bail bond company to post the bond for them in exchange for a fee. This fee is usually 10% or less of the total bail amount, and the person who posts the bond must promise to cover any unpaid amounts if the accused misses a court date. This person is called the indemnitor and is often a friend or loved one of the accused.
Collateral
A bail bond is a form of collateral to help a person out of jail. It is typically used when a person cannot afford to pay the total amount of their bail. It is important to note that the bail bond company will only return the collateral if the accused shows up for their court dates. Various items, including valuable jewelry and other high-end electronics, can be used as collateral. These types of assets hold their value over time and do not suffer from significant fluctuations in the market. However, many bail bond companies will require an appraisal before accepting a particular type of collateral. Vehicles are also commonly used as collateral. The car’s condition, make, and model are all considered. Additionally, the bail bond company will only accept a vehicle as collateral if it is wholly owned. They must sell it if the defendant fails to attend court dates.
Payment
When an arrestee has a pending bail amount, they can pay in cash or use a bail bond. Defendants who use a bond must pay a fee to a bond dealer and may be required to give up collateral for their release. This money will be returned if the defendant complies with all bond conditions. Typically, friends or family members contact a bail agent to help them escape jail. The bondsman will charge a non-refundable fee, usually 10% or less of the total bond amount. They will also require loved ones to put up some form of collateral. Courts will set higher or lower bail amounts for some people depending on the defendant’s flight risk. An excellent way to reduce your or a loved one’s flight risk is to distract them from hanging out with bad influences and keep them feeling positive. Then, they will be less likely to miss their court dates.
Release
Courts are supposed to consider whether bail poses an undue burden on the accused or their loved ones. Bail bonds allow people to avoid jail while they wait for their case to resolve or they decide to take a plea. The bond is paid for by the Indemnitor, a person who pledges assets or property that equal or exceed the amount of the bail. This person is usually the defendant’s friend or family member. The indemnitor must also sign paperwork stating they are responsible for the accused’s appearance in court. A good bail bonds service will work with you to quickly process the bond. They have extensive connections in the legal system and know who to talk to and how to start the process. They can also get you out of jail quicker than if you tried to handle it yourself. This is important because each day in jail costs the defendant and their family money.