Bail bonds
When a person is jailed and booked for a severe crime, they must wait in jail up until a bail hearing. It is during this bail hearing that the judge sets the bail amount. If that person can't raise the amount, they have to stay in prison until their court hearing. However that does not always need to be the case; they can also seek the services of a bondsman.
Regrettably, the majority of people end up remaining in prison until their court date because most do not have a large sum of money sitting around in the bank.
Our website will assist you with bailing out your loved ones by connecting you to reputable and economical bail bond representatives in Lewis County.
Exactly what is a bail bond?
A bail bond is a surety bond that is provided by a bonding company to help with the release of a detained person so they can await their court hearing outside of jail.
There are two types of bail bond, namely a criminal bail bond and a civil bail bond.
A criminal bail bond comes into play in criminal cases. It ensures that the offender appears during the course of the trial and at the same time ensures that the offender will pay the fines and penalties imposed by the court.
Civil bail bonds are for civil cases. These use surety on the debts, interests, and costs imposed on the offender.
Should I hire a bail bondsman?
When you can afford to post bail by yourself, you certainly don't have to work with a bonding company. For one, they ask a fee for their service, not to mention the collateral you need to provide for what is definitely classified as a loan.
In nearly all states, the bondsman will charge a rate of around 10-20% of the overall amount of the bail. You can't get this back even if you are cleared of the offense. On the upside, you don't need to bother with submitting the paperwork or need to deal with court personnel because the bail bondsman will take care of all that . Second, you will have a better chance of having your bail request accepted because of the credibility and reputation of the bondsman alone. Thirdly, as a result of their familiarity with the process, you can be released from jail in a couple of hours.
Lastly, the bail bondsman understands the importance of a good impression while appearing in court. When you are transferred to the regional or federal jail, you are going to be hauled to the courtroom in the official prisoner's uniform. In contrast, when you made bail, you can dress smartly and make a good impression on the judge and jury.
How does the bail bond process work?
Finding the right bonding company is important. Unfortunately, there are dishonest agents out there who prey on unsuspicious people that are already desperate .
Make sure you are ready when you talk to a bail bondsman. Ask all questions you might have, and only after all your doubts are quelled should you continue with the next steps of employing their services. They can then start with posting the bail and submitting the necessary papers to get you or a family member released from jail.
Information your bail bondsman needs
When you get in touch with a bail bondsman, you will have to share these details:
- Your name if you are the offender
- The name and location of the jailhouse where the defendant is held
- The booking number in the police blotter
- The complaints filed against the defendant
- Any other related information
What is accepted as collateral?
Almost always, the bonding company will ask for collateral with the deal. This is understandable, taking into consideration the risks involved. A prisoner is a possible flight risk, and there have been countless occasions where a bonding company had to employ the services of a bounty hunter to bring back the fleeing suspect.
But what is acceptable as collateral? In a nut-shell, when a bail bondsman considers something valuable, you are able to use it as a guarantee for the bail. Listed below are a couple of examples:
- Real estate
- Automobiles
- Stocks
- Jewelry
- Electronics
- Bank accounts
- Visa or mastercard
If you find that the bail bond is too high, bonding companies usually have payment plans that you can make use of. Just speak with the bail bondsman to determine what option is the best one when it comes to your circumstances.
You can use our site to find a bondsman that is perfect for you. Many of them operate day and night, ready to help you or your loved one to spend the least amount of time in prison as possible.
