Bail bonds
Essentially, a bail bond is a kind of assurance that you are going to attend your court hearing at the specified date. In return, you are allowed to remain free even if you are still undergoing trial for a criminal or civil charge. Otherwise, you will sit in prison while awaiting the court to decide on either conviction or acquittal. A bonding company can put up bail for you and get you out of prison.
Depending on the charge, the cost of bail can be steep. Few suspects have the ability to post the bail. There's a reason why the penal system is overburdened. But there's a legal manner in which to gain your temporary release from jail even while your lawsuit is on-going. Using our website you can search for a reputable bonding company in Lynn County.
Use a bail bond to gain temporary freedom after getting arrested
The judicial system permits a bail bondsman to post a bail bond, also referred to as surety bond, to help persons apprehended and charged with a crime get temporary freedom while awaiting their court appearance.
The judicial system allows two kinds of bail bond-- a criminal bail bond as well as a civil bail bond.
To be clear, a judge does not impose a criminal bail bond to punish you for your alleged crime. You are still presumed innocent until proven guilty. Having said that, the court needs an assurance that you will appear at trial to face your accuser; therefore, the need to post bail. If you attend all your arranged criminal proceedings as promised, and you are in the end acquitted, the bail amount will be given back to you. In case you are condemned, the bail money will be used to cover the fines and penalties that the court might impose on you. If you skip the court appearances, your bail will be lost and you will be subject to arrest.
On the contrary, the civil bail bonds imposed on civil cases function as a guarantee or a surety with the court where the financial obligations, claims, and fees enforced on the accused can be drawn from.
Should I hire a bondsman?
When you can afford to pay bail on your own, you certainly don't have to employ the services of a bail bondsman. For one, they require a small fee for their assistance, not to mention the collateral you have to provide for what is definitely categorized as a loan.
In almost all states, the bonding company will charge a fee of around 10-20% of the overall amount of the bail bond. You will not get this money refunded even when you are acquitted of the crime. However, you do not need to bother with filing the paperwork or need to deal with court staff since the agent will handle everything for you. Besides that, you will have a better prospect of having your bail application accepted because of the reputation of the bail bondsman alone. Third, because of their familiarity with the process, you can possibly be released from prison in a couple of hours.
Finally, the bondsman knows the benefit of a good first impression on the judge and jury. When you are transferred to the regional or federal prison, you are going to be hauled to court in the official prisoner's jumpsuit. In contrast, when you are out on bail, you are able to dress well and ensure a good impression on the court.
How does the bail bond process work?
Choosing the right bondsman is important. Sadly, there are deceitful individuals out there who take advantage of unwary families that are already desperate for help.
Make sure you are ready when you talk to a bonding company. Ask all your questions, and only after all your questions are answered should you continue with the subsequent steps of hiring them. The bondsman can then proceed with paying the bail and submitting the necessary documents to get you or a family member out.
What information does a bondsman need?
When you contact a bonding company, they will want to know:
- The full name and age of the defendant
- The prison where the offender is held
- The booking number and the charge
What is accepted as collateral?
Almost always, the bondsman will require collateral with the transaction. This is understandable, taking into consideration the risks involved. An inmate is a possible flight risk, and are many occasions where a bonding company needed to hire a bounty hunter to bring back the fleeing offender.
But what is acceptable as collateral? Essentially, when a bail bondsman considers something valuable, you are able to use it as a guarantee for the bond. Listed below are a number of examples:
- Real estate
- Cars
- Shares
- Jewelry
- Electronic devices
- Bank accounts
- Visa or mastercard
If you have trouble paying for the bail bond, bail bonds companies often offer payment options that you can make use of. Just talk to the bondsman to determine what option is the best one when it comes to your situation.
You can use our website to look for a bondsman that is perfect for you. Almost all of them are open day and night, ready to help you or a friend to spend the as little time as possible in prison.
