Introduction
Bail bonds are a financial incentive that is placed upon a defendant, so that they can willingly go to court. The bail bond amount a defendant is ordered to pay will depends on the severity of the crime. Most people cannot afford to pay the whole amount, so they or their families will often use the services of a bondsman to obtain the bail bond amount.
Types of Bail Bonds
General Bail Bond: It is a provision provided by a law court to make sure that the accused person makes all the required court appearances. It allows the defendant to be released from jail until their case is completed. You can post bail for anyone over the age of 18. The bail bond amount is refundable, but it will take some time to process the paper work. The only amount that is non-refundable is a surety or sheriff’s fee.
Cash bond: This type of bail bonds is required to be paid in cash. The full amount of the bond is required to be paid in cash for someone to be released from jail. If paid after hours, there is a $10 sheriff’s fee that is non-refundable. The bond receipt should be made out to the person whose money is being used to post bail. If there is any money left, it will be returned to the person whose name is on the bond receipt.
Surety bond: This is an agreement made between a person and a bondsman. Once the agreement has been signed, the bondsman will pay the bond to release the defendant from jail. It’s backed by an insurance company contract, signed by the defendant and the bondsman. They can be useful if you don’t have the cash to pay the bail bond and sheriff’s fee.
Features
If you are in need of a bail bonds money, but don’t have the cash for it then you could use the services of a bondsman. You and the bondsman will be required to sign a contract. If you are among the consignors, you will be expected to help find the defendant if he misses a court hearing, pay the bondman’s expenses in finding the defendant and pay the full amount of the bond if the defendant cannot be found. The bail money or collateral that is paid through a bondsman is refundable, but all this is dependent on what the terms and conditions found in the contract that was signed between you and the bondsman.
Tips and comments
Bail bonds amounts issued by private bail bonding agencies are charged at a rate of interest. Just like any short-term, monetary lending institutions their repayment terms can be very strict. Therefore, you should make sure that to abide with them. Some courts will provide the alternative for accused people and their families to pay a 10% cash bond to the court. This amount is refundable as long as the accused appears before the court without incident. Make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions of the contract, before signing on the dotted line.
