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How does a bail bond work?
How does a bail bond work?TV offers a wide array of police and law shows where we often hear expressions such as 'make bail' and 'post bail'. Recently, even reality shows make phrases like 'jumping bail' and 'bounty-hunter' household names. What is a bail bond and how do we know if it is being used properly?A bail bond is nothing more than a contractual undertaking guaranteed by two individuals: a bail agent and an individual posting bail. The agent guarantees to a court of law that another individual (the defendant) will appear in court as many times as required to do so. Think of it a as a security or a deposit to guarantee a defendant's presence in court. How is a bail bond obtained?A friend or a relative of a person who has been put under arrest may contact a bail agent. An agreement must be signed by the person approaching the bail agent. The agreement usually states that either the defendant or the co-signer must submit a guarantee for the amount of the bail to be paid in full if the defendant does not appear in court when expected. In some cases, and depending on the agent, collateral is required. At the very minimum, the person requesting the bail for the defendant must prove a steady income. Renting or owning a house in the vicinity of the defendant for a reasonable period of time is expected. Once the agreement is signed, a bail agent will post the bond.What does the bail bond agent charge?A bail bond agent charges a percentage of the amount set for bail. Should the defendant fail to appear in court, the agent will seek the full amount of the bail. If such is the case, the co-signer is financially responsible and will have to cover the total amount. Some bail bond agents allow the bond to be paid in installments. This alternative makes it very convenient especially in those cases where bail is set very high.How long is the co-signer held responsible for the bond?The co-signer is responsible for the duration of the court process. Once the defendant is sentenced or found innocent, the bond is cancelled or dissolved. It is until then that any collateral involved is returned to the co-signer or defendant.To learn more about bail bonds contact http://www.freedomfirstbailbonds.net
Peter Harvey is a criminal lawyer specialized in jury selection.
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