Bail bonds
If an offender is arrested, he or she will have to spend time in jail while awaiting a bail hearing. This is a process in which the judge is going to establish the amount that serves as an assurance to the court for the temporary liberty of the suspect. But not everybody is able to come up with the requested amount, and when that is the case he or she will need to stay in prison during the trial. Fortunately, {it is possible to enlist the services of|you can make use of the services of a bonding company to cover the bail.
We will help you search for respectable bail bond agents in Seattle that will make sure that you or your loved ones can be free, at the very least up until the sentencing.
Use a bail bond to gain temporary freedom after an arrest
The judicial system permits a commercial bonding company to post a bail bond, also referred to as surety bond, to help those apprehended and accused of a criminal offense get temporarily released from jail while waiting for their court appearance.
The law allows two types of bail bond-- a criminal bail bond as well as a civil bail bond.
To make it clear, a judge does not require a criminal bail bond to punish you for your alleged crime. You are still innocent up until proven guilty. Nonetheless, the court requires a guarantee that you will appear in court to face your accuser; therefore, the need to post bail. If you show up at all of your scheduled criminal proceedings as required, and you are in the end acquitted, the bail amount will be repaid to you. In the case that you are condemned, the bail money will be used to pay for the penalties and fines that the court might enforce on you. When you skip the court hearings, your bail will be forfeited and you will be subject to arrest.
On the other hand, the civil bail bonds enforced on civil cases function as an assurance or a surety with the court where the financial obligations, interests, and costs enforced on the accused can be taken from.
Why should I care about a bail bond?
Unless you are planning to remain in prison, you will have to get out on bail. However, very few people can come up with the money, and that is why a bonding company is vital to anybody that wants to wait for their trial out of prison.
The exact amount of bail {will vary|depends on a lot of different factors. For instance, two persons who committed the same crime can have very different bail amounts. This can happen because the judge will take into consideration your financial situation, previous arrests, your family ties to the area, and whether you are likely to run.
In almost all states, the rate charged by the bondsman is typically 10-20% of the overall bail, and you will not get this back.
Furthermore, the bondsman can assist you navigate the complicated judicial procedures. It's easier to employ their services then to deal with the legal system on your own.
How does the bail bond process work?
Finding the right bail bondsman is very important. Sadly, there are shady agents out there that prey on unsuspecting people who are already desperate .
So be prepared when you talk to a bail bondsman. Ask all questions you might have, and only once all your doubts are quelled should you take the subsequent steps of hiring their services. The bail bondsman can then proceed with posting the bail and filing the necessary documents to get you or a family member out.
What your bondsman needs from you
When you or a friend get in touch with a bondsman, they will ask for the following info:
- The full name of the accused
- The name and location of the jailhouse where the suspect is held
- The booking number in the police blotter
- The charges filed against the accused
- Any extra relevant details
What is accepted as collateral?
In most cases, the bondsman will ask for collateral with the deal. This is understandable, taking into account the risks involved. A prisoner is a possible flight risk, and are numerous occasions where a bonding company needed to hire a bounty hunter to bring back the fleeing offender.
But what is acceptable as collateral? Basically, when a bail bondsman considers an asset valuable, you are able to use it as a guarantee for the bond. Listed below are a number of examples:
- Realty
- Autos
- Equities
- Jewelry
- Electronic devices
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
If you find that the bond is too steep, bonding companies usually offer payment options that you can make use of. Just talk to the bondsman to figure out which option is the best one with regard to your situation.
Use this website to look for a bail bondsman that will be perfect for your needs. Many of them are open 24x7, ready to assist you or your loved one to spend the least amount of time in prison as possible.
