If you or a loved one has found themselves in legal trouble in Utah, the first step you need to take is understanding the bail bond system within the state. Utah’s bail bond laws are slightly different than in many other states across the country, and in this article, we will aim to shed light on the bail bond process in Utah.
Utah Bail Bond Laws and Regulations
In Utah, bail bond laws are governed by Title 77 of the Utah Code. Title 77 outlines various procedures and regulations related to criminal proceedings, including arrest, bail, preliminary hearings, trial procedures, sentencing and post-conviction remedies.
In regards to bail bonds, a local bondsman must be licensed and regulated by the Utah Department of Insurance to conduct business. These regulations ensure Utah-based bail bond agents operate legally and adhere to ethical standards while providing their services.
Utah also has some specific laws regarding bail forfeiture and exonerations, or, in simpler terms, what happens when a defendant misses their court date.
If an attendant misses their court date, the first thing that needs to happen is the court issuing a warrant for the defendant’s arrest. Missing a scheduled court date and having a warrant issued serves as a forfeiture of the total bail amount. However, in certain circumstances, the defendant can file a motion to exonerate the bail bond, which, if successful, can result in the return of a portion of the total bail amount.
The Bail Bond Process in Utah
Just like in other states, when an individual is arrested in Utah, a judge will determine the total bail amount based on a number of factors, including the severity of the offense and the defendant’s criminal history.
However, unlike some other states, Utah does not allow commercial bail agents to post bond directly. Instead, defendants must work with local county bail agents, who are likely to charge a non-refundable fee equal to 10% of the total bail amount in exchange for posting bond on the defendant’s behalf.
Working with a Bail Bond Professional in Utah
As previously noted, in Utah, you must work with a local bail bond agent. Because of this, our team at BailAgentNetwork.com has created a directory of Utah-based bail bondsman that are ready to help you secure your release from jail. In a majority of cases, it is much easier for the defendant to pay a 10% non-refundable fee to a reputable Utah-based bail bondsman than to pay the total bail amount on their own.
Utah Bail Bond Fee Calculator
Getting arrested and going through the bail process is very stressful for most, so we created bail bond fee calculators to help you better understand how much you will owe a bail agent for their services. Our online tool lets you input the total bail amount, and it will instantly calculate the non-refundable fee you’ll need to pay to a trusted bail bond agent in exchange for them posting bond on your behalf.
As long as you make use of the available online tools, and understand that working with a local bail bondsman simplifies the bail process, you should be able to secure your release from jail in no time.