The process of securing a bail bond and what to expect after
Having a loved one in prison is a difficult time for communities. Judges set bail amounts for imprisoned people to pay for release until sentencing, but these amounts are too high for many families.
Bail bonds allow families to get their imprisoned loved ones to freedom until they await their court dates, even if they cannot afford to pay bail in full. This process is a lifeline and makes getting caught up in the court system less traumatic.
If you’re not familiar with the legal system, here is how to get a bail bond and what happens afterward.
Meet with a bail bond agent
The first step in securing a bail bond is to meet with a bail bond agent. These professionals work for companies that secure the bail on your family’s behalf. For more details on how the process works, you can visit Future Bail Bonds website, amongst other experts’ sites, which has a step-by-step guide through the process. They explain that like most other bail bond companies, initial consultations are free.
A bail bond agent can also help you gather the information that you need to post bail and navigate prison communications.
Sign an agreement
The next step is to sign an agreement with a bail bond agent. A bail bond agreement ensures that the agency pays the bail amount in full so that the defendant can be released from jail.
You or someone else needs to act as a cosigner on behalf of the defendant. This means that you guarantee that the defendant will appear for their court date and will not cause the agency to lose their money.
When the agency posts bail, you only have to pay a percentage of the bail as a fee. The amount is set by state regulations. However, you have to provide some collateral, such as jewelry, real estate deeds, or a cash deposit, in the amount of the full bail.
After the bail bond
What happens after you secure a bail bond depends on the action of the defendant once it is time for their court appearance.
If the defendant appears in court and meets their bond conditions, then your work with the bond agency is done. They will return your collateral since you have met your agreement.
However, if the defendant does not appear in court or does something that violates their bond agreement, you as the cosigner must pay the full amount of the bail to the agency. This gives you an incentive as the cosigner to encourage the person to meet their legal obligations.
Navigating the bail bond process
Getting a bail bond is one of the best ways to have a loved one home with you, even if you don’t have the financial resources to secure their bail yourself.
However, knowing how to get a bail bond and what happens afterward can be confusing. The best thing to do is to work with a reputable bail bond agent who can help you navigate the process.
