What Is a Surety Bond for Bail?
If you’re not familiar with the bail bond process, you’re not alone. In fact, most Americans have no familiarity with it. While understandable, this can become a problem if you should find yourself in jail or a loved one is arrested. One of the most frequently asked questions in these situations is, “what is a surety bond for bail?” In this post, we’ll dive into the question of “what is a surety bond for bail?” We will help you understand some of the intricacies of bail bonds and give advice on finding a reputable bail bond agent to answer any additional questions you may have.
What Is a Surety Bond for Bail?
A surety bond is essentially a guarantee that the person facing charges will remain in the area until their court date in exchange for an early release. The process to bail someone out of jail works like this:
1. A judge determines your total bail amount.
2. You contact a bail bond company to arrange for bonding out your loved one.
3. The bail bond company (also called a surety company) charges a nonrefundable fee that is equal to 10% of the total bail amount to obtain a surety bond.
4. The bond company will then post bond on behalf of you or your loved one.
5. You or your loved one is released until future court dates.
Answering Frequently Asked Questions about How Bonds Work
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about how surety bonds work.
Do I have to pay the full amount of bail?
No, the surety company will post bond on your behalf. In exchange for the surety company posting bond, you will pay them a fee equal to 10% of the total bail amount.
Do I get that 10% back after the court date?
No, the 10% fee paid to the bail bondsman is nonrefundable.
What happens if my loved one doesn’t show up for court?
If your loved one fails to appear for their court date, a warrant will be issued. The surety bond will also be voided, meaning that you will have to go through the process again if you want to bail your loved one out of jail. With that being said, if they jump bail, chances are good that the judge will deny bail the second time.
When someone obtains a surety bond, how long does the process take?
It should only take a few hours to have your loved one released from jail. That can be complicated by a few factors, such as if they were arrested over the weekend or on a holiday. If the surety company isn’t open 24/7, that will also slow the process.
What’s the difference between bail bonds and surety bonds?
Bail bonds and surety bonds are the same things. Bail is the amount the court decrees must be paid to free your loved one. The surety bond is the promise of the bail bondsman that your loved one will not leave town before their court date. The bondsman posts bond on your behalf, and you pay a nonrefundable 10% fee to the bondsman in exchange for that service.
In Conclusion: What Is a Surety Bond for Bail?
Hopefully after reading this article, you have a much better understanding of surety bonds and the overall bail process. Use the information above to streamline the process and ensure your loved one is released from jail as soon as possible.