How A Bail Bond Works
If you have a loved one who has unfortunately landed themselves in jail, and they have responsibilities at home and work that justify you helping them get out until their trial, using a bail bond may be the answer to get a larger amount of money, very quickly. Many people do not know how a bail bond works until they are up against the decision in finding a way to bail out someone out of jail. Here are some instructions on how to use a bail bond to help you decide if this is the path you wish to take to help your loved one with their release.
What Options Do I Have?
Before deciding to contact a bondsman, see if you have the means to pay the bond on your own. Find out the amount of the bail and check your funds to see if you can handle the amount. Your options include:
- Using savings account money or borrowing from someone to get the amount needed
- Getting a personal loan
- Hiring a bondsman to help by paying the money needed
- Having your loved one stay in jail until their trial
How To Secure Money From A Bondsman
If you see no other way to come up with the funds, and if you decide you cannot allow your loved one to wait it out in jail, hire a bail bond service such as All Night & Day Bailbonds to help you pay the court until your loved one goes to trial. Call a few companies to find out what the cost will be to secure the debt. This amount is not refunded and is the amount charged for the service the company is providing.
You will need to sign a contract with the bail company to have the bail paid. You will need to put up something as collateral with the bond company, such as your home or another large asset, as proof that your loved one will show up for their trial. The contract will also tell you of the stipulations of the bail money and what will happen if your loved one does not show up for trial. When your loved one shows up for their court date, you will receive your money back, minus the fee you had paid to retain the bail.
If Your Loved One Does Not Show For Trial
If your loved one does not show up for their trial, the bail bond service has the right to send a bounty hunter after your loved one. They will be able to retain custody of your loved one and return them to the jail until a new court date is set.
You will lose your bail if your loved one is not found within the statute of limitations as set by the court, usually around three months from the trial date. If you bring your loved one to the court yourself within this limitation period, you will still be able to get your funds returned. After this time, you will lose the bail money, as well as the collateral you had placed to get the bail money.