Three Things You Should Know If This Is Your First Time Posting Bail

If someone you know has been arrested and you want to bail them out of jail, there are a few things you should know, especially if you have never done this before.

The idea behind a bond is that a person can get released from jail without needing to provide the full amount of money yourself. Often this amount is beyond a person's means. A bail bondsman makes it possible for people to make bail. The following are a few more things you should know about the process.

There are several ways to post bail

The most common is to use a bail bondsman. These people will post the full amount of the bail, and you will be required to pay a bondsman a certain percentage of this. It is also possible to be released without bail, but this may not hold true for your particular circumstances. You may also be able to post collateral with the court. Your best course of action is to speak to the person you are helping to find out what course of action is going to be taken. Their lawyer will be able to advise them best. Most likely, they will need to post bail using a bail bonds service.

There is certain information that a bail bondsman will need

Don't assume that a bondsman will know which jail your friend or loved one is at. A bail bonds company in some areas may provide bonds for several locations.

It is possible to provide bail for someone in another city or even another state. In this case, the exact place where the person is being held in custody is absolutely necessary. In addition, you will need to know the full name of the individual you are bailing out and the booking number. This latter information a bail bondsman may not need if you have the persons full mane. You should also know how much the bail is. A bail bondsman can then let you know what percentage you need to pay.

There is a cost associated with a bond

You will be charged for the service of a bail bondsman. This takes the form of a premium or fee. The courts require bail so a defendant will show up in court. If the individual doesn't show up to court, the money is forfeited. But both the bondsman's money and your money, minus the fee, will be refunded after the hearing or trial is over.

Although it may seem a bit overwhelming, the process of posting a bond for your friend or relative is mostly routine work for a bail bondsman. They know the customers are stressed out by the situation, and they try to make the process smooth. Often, they will take credit cards over the phone for payment.