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How Bail Bonds Work

The bail system was established to guarantee a criminal defendants appearance in court. After calling the team at Woodgrange Solicitors, you will need to call a bondsman. A bail bond provides the funds necessary for the arrested individual to be released from jail until their required court appearance. It is very important that you fully understand how the process of obtaining a bail bond works in order to know what is required of you in the instance that you are arrested and charged with a crime.


Risk Evaluation


The first step in the bail bond process is for a family member, lawyer or friend to contact the bail bond company and provide basic information. This information will include:


  • *   The location that the detainee is being held;

  • *   The period of time they have been in that location;

  • *   The actual charges they are facing;

  • *   The amount of time they have lived at their present residence;

  • *   Their working status.


These questions are used for the bail bond company to establish the risk that is involved with issuing a bail bond for a specific person. In many cases this will affect the required payment to secure the actual bail bond.


Bail Bond Documents


If the bond is approved, then the person applying for the bond will be required to fill out and sign certain documentation. This will typically include:


  • *   Bail Bond Application;

  • *   The Bail Indemnity Agreement;

  • *   A receipt for payment.


Posting Bail


Once the paperwork is complete, the bail bond agent will actually go to the facility where the person is being held and “post” the person’s bail. This will then initiate the release of the person. For a quality bail bondsman, the process should only take between one or two hours, but it cannot begin until the actual arrest and booking process is complete.


Cost or Fees


In order to purchase a bail bond that customer will be charged a certain fee. The fee will typically be around 10 percent of the total amount of bail, which is a mandated state law. Keep in mind, this amount may vary from state to state. For example, if bail is set at $7,000 then a $700 fee must be paid.


It is important to avoid bail bondsmen who are offering low-cost or “cheap” versions of bail bonds. Any bond for less than 10 percent is like not adhering to state law and is likely only trying to get your money, without delivering on the services promised.


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