When a friend or family member is arrested, your first priority is to get the person out of jail on bond.The bail bond laws in the state or area where the person was arrested will affect the amount of the bond.The bail bond process will go smoothly if the person finds a good bail bondsman.
Step 1: Understand the bail bond process.
You should be familiar with the bail bond process before searching for a bail bondsman.A bail is a sum of money that must be deposited by the accused to be released from jail.The bail amount is set by the court in order for the accused to return to court later.Many defendants can't post their entire bail on their own or with the help of family and friends, so they have to turn to a bail bondsman.A bail bond is a contract between the government and a person.When you hire a bail bondsman to post a bond, you are giving the government a guarantee that the person will appear in court at a later date.The bail bondsman will charge the defendants a fee if they post a bond with the government.The bondsman has to pay the full amount of the bail if the person doesn't show up in court.The bail bondsman is investing in the person by posting their bail.
Step 2: Understand how bail bond fees work.
Most bail bond fees are 10% of the total bail amount, which is regulated by the Department of Insurance.Before you hire a bail bondsman, you should know the exact amount of the bail bond fee.The bail bondsman will charge a non-refundable fee of $1,000 to post a bail of $10,000 if the bail is set at $10,000.The bondsman will be out $9,000 if the defendants don't show up in court at a later date.The person who signs the bail bond contract needs to pay the bondsman back the outstanding amount.
Step 3: Find a bail bondsman online.
A bail bondsman can be found online by searching for him in a specific area or city.For example, there are two websites: http://www.bailbond.com.The bondsman can give you details on the required bail bond.You need to vet the bondsman to make sure they have the right credentials.It is important that the bondsman has a good reputation and is trustworthy, as you are depending on them to provide the required funds for the bail bond.
Step 4: You can ask a legal representative for a referral.
If you want to get a referral for a bail bondsman, you can ask the defendants lawyer.Many lawyers have to interact with bail bondsman on a daily basis, as many of their clients cannot post bail on their own.A bail bondsman who has been reliable in the past for a similar case or similar bail bond amount can be recommended by the defendants lawyer.
Step 5: The bondsman has a score on the BetterBail Bureau.
Better bail bureau connects people with honest bail bondsmanThere is a list of bail bondsman and bail bond agencies with grades from a high "A" to a low "F".Before you hire a bail bondsman, make sure they have a good reputation and have them confirm their grade to show they are willing to be honest and upfront with you.How long have the bail bondsman been in the business?The longer the bail bondsman has been in business, the better their track record of satisfied clients and successful bail postings.Family owned bail bond companies have been in the business for a long time.They have an incentive to maintain a good reputation because they have helped many clients.
Step 6: The bondsman has a license.
If your bail license has been suspended or revoked, ask the bondsman to show you their current license.Some bail agents have a restricted license due to legal action against them by their clients.Clear reasons why their license was revoked or suspended in the past will be given by a trustworthy bail bondsman.The bail license for the bondsman and bail bond company can be provided by the State Department of Insurance.The bondsman should be asked if they have been sued by a client in the last year.Some bail agents are sued by their clients due to unreturned assets.If the bail bondsman is not wrapped up in lawsuits due to poor service, you can check the court records in the county where he operates.Check the civil court records for the last five years to see if the bondsman has a clean record.
Step 7: Ask the bondsman if there are any conditions on posting bail.
A bail bondsman will tell you the total fees for their services.10% of the total bail bond set by the court is usually included in the upfront premium for the bail bonds.If the bail bond is in effect, some bail bondsman will try to charge you an annual premium.This is a way to turn a profit and not secure the person out on bail.Some bail bondsman may require other conditions around the bail bond to make sure they don't lose their investment.This could include drug treatment, maintaining employment, or reporting to the bail bondsman on a regular basis.Make sure the defendants understand the conditions of the bail bond and agree to follow them to make sure there are no conflicts.The conditions should be clear in the bail bonds contract.
Step 8: Before signing the bail bond contract, you should review it in full.
If you and the bail bondsman have agreed on partial payment of their fee, followed by monthly payments, make sure this appears in your bail bond contract.The bail bondsman's interest should be noted in the contract.Ask the bail bondsman how long they will wait before foreclosing on your home if you can't pay off your bail bond.Most bail bondsman give 90 and 30 days for a debt and forfeiture, respectively.The time frame should be clearly stated in the contract so you know where you stand financially if the bail bond is not paid in full.Make sure the bail bondsman agrees to give you invoices and a receipt for your bail bond payments.If you need to dispute charges relating to the bail bond in court, this information will be useful.