Many times defendants are granted bail before they go to trial. Bail is set by the judge and is determined by the severity of the crime the defendant is accused of. However, just because a defendant qualifies for bail doesn’t mean that they have the funds to pay for bail. One of the ways they can still acquire bail is by contacting a bail bondsman.
A bail bondsman is someone who already has an agreement with the courts and understands the in’s and outs of the system. The bondsman will use funds they obtain from an insurance company to pay for the defendant’s bail. Since they are familiar with the court process, and also have an understanding with the court to pay the bail if the defendant skips out on bail, they are able to post bail anytime during the day. By obtaining a bail bondsman, the defendant will be able to get out of jail within a few hours rather than a few days, if done without a bondsman.
Posting this type of bail is called a surety bond. A surety bond is where you or a family member or friend use collateral to obtain bail. Collateral such as jewelery, TV’s or other electronics, cars, or a home can be used. A lien is placed on the property until the bail amount is paid in full. It is important to understand that if the defendant does not appear in court on their scheduled date, the property can be seized by the court to pay the bail.
There are lots of places to obtain a Surety Bond in Warren. When looking for a bail bondsman, it is important to check for licenses and certifications to make sure the bondsman is legitimate. Also, like with any other contract, it is imperative that you read over the entire contract before signing it. A lot of people don’t realize that the bail must be paid in full, regardless of how the court hearing turns out. If the defendant does not appear in court, the property used as collateral will be forfeited and used to pay for the bail.
