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The Bail Bond Process
What takes place after an arrest?
Once a person has been arrested, they must be booked. This process can
take as little as an hour at a local jail or sometimes up to 24 hours at a
county jail.
Once the person has been booked, there are a few options for their
release; they may be released on a citation, they may be released on their
Own Recognizance (meaning their own promise to appear in court), they may
post the total amount of bail in cash directly with the jail, in some
situations you can post real property directly with the court or a person
may be released on a bail bond.
After The Bail Bond Process
What is the first step in bailing
someone out of jail?
The first step is to call Custom Bail Bonds so we can guide and assist
you.
What do I need to bail someone out of jail?
You will need the premium (the premium is generally 10% of the total bail
amount), a qualified Indemnitor (the Indemnitor is financially responsible
for the bail bond) and possibly some form of collateral.
How long will it take to release my loved one from jail?
For most transactions, the paperwork usually takes about 20 minutes.
Release time from local jails is usually under an hour. The release time
from county jails varies, but is typically2-8 hours. In some situations it
can take longer.
As a Cosigner or Indeminitor, what are my responsibilities?
You are responsible for ensuring that the defendant shows up for their
scheduled court dates. You are not signing to guarantee the defendant's
guilt or innocence.
Will collateral be required to post bail?
In many situations, collateral may not be required. Call us and we can let
you know if that applies to your situation.
How much does a bail bond cost?
In most cases, the cost of the bail bond, which is called the premium, is
10% of the bail bond amount.
What if I dont have the full 10%?
Often times, we can arrange for you to make payments on the premium but
collateral will be required. Please call and we can explain this more
fully to you, answer your questions and tailor a solution to your
particular situation.
Do I get my money back?
The money you pay for the cost of the bail bond, the premium, is
non-refundable. This is the fee charged by the bail bond company to post
the full amount of bail with the jail or court.
Two situations can confuse people into thinking they can get the premium
back.
- If you post the full amount in cash with
the jail/court, the cash bail is returned to you by the court typically
6-8 weeks after the bond is exonerated.
- Sometimes the court personnel mistakenly
assumes that the bail bond company has taken cash for collateral and
they tell people that their bond is exonerated and they can go get their
money back from the bail bond company.
When is the bail bond released?
The court usually exonerates (releases) the bond when one of four things
happens: the charges are dropped, the case is dismissed, the defendant has
been sentenced or the defendant is returned to custody.
After the Bail Bond Process
If I sign a Bail Bond Agreement for
someone and they are found guilty, am I required to pay the full amount of
the bail?
No, you are only signing to guarantee that you will pay the premium and
that the person will make all of their court appearances.
If I'm a co-signer for a friend or family member and that person
misses court, do I have to pay you the full value of the bond?
You are liable for the full amount of the bond if your friend or relative
does not go to court, however a failure to appear in court does not
necessarily mean you'll have to pay the full amount of the bond. If you
notify us of the forfeiture and make arrangements to return that person to
the court you will only be liable for the actual expenses our company
incurs.
I signed a Bail Bond Agreement for a friend or relative and they
just missed a court date. What should I do?
Call our office immediately. The court automatically issues a warrant for
their arrest and forfeits the bail bond. If they missed their court date
unintentionally, we can generally get them back into court little
additional cost.
When do I get my collateral back?
Collateral is released when the trial or case has ended and you have no
more remaining financial obligations.
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