If a close friend or family member suddenly calls you from jail, you will most likely want to get them home again as soon as possible. However, if you're like the average person, you probably have little experience in how bail works and how you go about posting it. That's where a bail bonds company can help. Most such companies are available 24/7 and are very familiar with the workings of the court systems in the areas in which they work.
A little about bail and the courts
In the United States, bail refers to the security that is posted to guarantee that a person charged of a crime will return for his or her day in court if released. The amount varies widely depending on the alleged crime, the flight risk the person charged is considered to be, and the judge's temperament. For minor charges, a person may be released on his or her own recognizance. That means that they won't have to pay any money unless they don't return for their court date. In major crimes, such as first degree murder, no bail may be set at all and the person will be required to remain in jail pending his or her trial. Most situations fall somewhere in between these two extremes. When the person appears for their court date, the bail money is refunded to the person who paid it.
About posting bail
Although every municipality and county works slightly differently, in general, a person isn't eligible for bail until he or she has been arraigned (faced a judge.) Depending on when the person is arrested, that can be anywhere from a few hours to a few days. In most areas, courts aren't open at night, on weekends or on holidays. So, if a person is arrested on Friday night, they may not be arraigned until Monday morning.
At the arraignment, the judge will set a bail amount. After that time, the person can be released from jail if that bail is paid to the court. Some courts allow you to pay just 10 percent of the total bail. However, in most areas, the full amount is due. That's where bail bond companies can help.
About bail bonds
A bail bond company will accept 10 percent of the total bail due and pay the entire amount to the court. When the person appears for their court date, the money is refunded to the bail company and they keep the 10 percent as their fee. However, if the person fails to show, you will be liable for the entire amount that the bail company paid on the person's behalf.
Bail bonds can make it much easier for a person charged with a crime to get out of jail while he or she is waiting on a trial. However, if you're contracting with a bail bond company, make sure you know the terms of the agreement and that you have a way to make sure that the person actually appears for his or her court date. For more information, contact a professional like Yusef Odeh Bail Bonds.
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