Bail bonds
One of the most scary situations you can end up in is inside a prison after being apprehended and accused of an supposed crime. Things might go south even further when you or your family have no cash available to post your bail bond, which will allow you get released from jail until your court hearing. During such a difficult situation, you first have to calm yourself, think straight, and go with the most helpful solution: Call a bail bondsman who can really help a lot in getting you out of jail.
You are allowed at least one telephone call following your arrest. Use that to connect with a family member and ask him or her to reach out to a bail bondsman. Your family member could visit our site to search for a reputable bail bondsman in St. Clair County who can then post the required bail in your place to secure your freedom.
Why does a judge impose a bail bond ?
The judicial system allows the services of a commercial bonding company to post a bail bond, also called surety bond, to help an accused get temporary liberty while waiting for their trial.
The judicial system allows two kinds of bail -- a criminal bail bond and a civil bail bond.
To be clear, a court does not impose a criminal bail bond to punish you for your supposed crime. You are still innocent until proven guilty. Having said that, the judge requires an assurance that you will show up in court to face your accuser; therefore, the need to post bail. If you participate in all your scheduled criminal proceedings as promised, and you are eventually found not guilty, the bail amount will be repaid to you. In case you are condemned, the bail money will be used to pay for the penalties and fines that the judge may impose on you. If you skip the court appearances, the bail will be forfeited and you will be subject to arrest.
The same justification holds with civil bail bonds. The bail imposed on civil cases functions as a guarantee or a surety that the accused will be able to pay the fines and penalties that the judge may enforce on the defendant after the trial.
Why do I require a bail bond?
Using a bondsman is among the most cost-effective ways of getting out of jail. In many states, the rate for a bail bond is at 10% of the bail amount, which offers you an economical possibility to get released from jail. So if you are trying to bail somebody out, your very first factor to consider must be to hire a bail bondsman in your city.
Another reason you must consider utilizing a bonding company is the simple fact that they simplify the notorious and every bit as complex judicial process. You call the bail bondsman, provide some essential info about yourself or the individual you wish to bail out, and they will post the bail in your place. Before you know it, you are released from jail and enjoying a meal together with your loved ones.
All of us understand first impressions are the most lasting, so it undoubtedly is a very good idea to appear before a judge as a dependable member of the community in civilian clothing, rather than showing up in a prison jumpsuit. A bondsman provides you the opportunity to dress the part and show the judge the opposite side of you.
How does the bail bond process work?
Choosing a good bail bondsman is important. Unfortunately, there are deceitful companies around that take advantage of unsuspecting people who are already desperate for help.
So be prepared when you contact a bondsman. Ask all your questions, and only once all your questions are answered should you take the next steps of employing them. They can then proceed with posting the bail and filing the necessary papers to get you or a family member out.
What your bondsman needs to know about you
When you or a friend get in contact with a bonding company, they will ask the following questions:
- The full name of the defendant
- The name and location of the jailhouse where the suspect is detained
- The booking number in the police blotter
- The complaints filed against the accused
- Any extra relevant info
What is accepted as collateral?
In most cases, the bail bondsman will require collateral with the deal. This is understandable, taking into account the risks that are involved. A prisoner is a flight risk, and there have been numerous examples where a bail bondsman needed to employ a bounty hunter to recover the fleeing suspect.
But what is acceptable as collateral? Essentially, when a bonding company considers something valuable, you can use it as a guarantee for the bail. Below are a couple of examples:
- Realty
- Vehicles
- Shares
- Jewelry
- Electronics
- Bank accounts
- Visa or mastercard
If you find that the bond is too high, bonding companies usually offer payment plans that you can use. Just talk to the bondsman to determine which option is the best one when it comes to your circumstances.
You can use our website to look for a bail bondsman that will be perfect for you. Most of them operate 24x7, ready to assist you or a friend to spend the as little time as possible in jail.
