Facing arrest and criminal charges can be one of the more frightening experiences that a person can face. Sadly, it is common for individuals to lack the money necessary to post their bail. However, this does not have to be a reason for your loved one to stay in jail because there are bail bonding services that can be used to help pay this bail. To help you better understand these services, you may want to consider the following couple of common questions and answers.
What Should You Expect When Using A Bail Bonding Service?
For those that have never used a bail bonding service, it can be easy to be intimidated by what to expect from these services. However, it should be noted that they tend to make the process of getting a bail bond as simple as possible. You will need to provide the name of the person being held in the jail and collateral to secure the bond as well as the contact information for the cosigner and defendant.
Once this information has been processed, you will be required to pay the bonding service a fee. This fee is usually calculated according to the total value of the bond. After paying this fee, the bondsman will contact the jail to provide them with the information about the bond. Before releasing the defendant, the jail will need to process the bond and prepare the defendant for release. This process may take several hours depending on the number of bail payments that are needing to be processed.
How Is The Collateral Handled?
The act of providing collateral for a bail bond can seem rather intimidating. However, it is important to note that you will retain possession of the collateral as long as the defendant attends their required court dates. Once the proceedings are concluded, the collateral will be returned regardless of whether the defendant is found guilty or innocence. In the event that the defendant attempts to flee, the collateral will be confiscated due to the fact that the bondsman will lose the money that was paid to the jail. As a result, it is important to only provide collateral for those that you intimately trust.
The ability to leave jail once bail has been posted is an important right that most individuals charged with crimes enjoy. By understanding what you should expect from using bail bonding services and the way that the collateral will be handled, you should find yourself better able to anticipate what to expect from these services. For more information, talk to a professional like All Star Bail Bonds.