A bail bond allows a person to stay out of jail while they await their trial date. It can also help them keep their job, take care of children and prepare for court proceedings.
The amount of money a judge sets for bail depends on the crime committed how likely the defendant is to flee and other factors. Read more to learn how bail bonds work.
If you or someone you know has been arrested and sent to the Las Colinas jail you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next. One option to consider is seeking the assistance of a bail bondsman.
Time
When someone you care about is arrested, the most important thing to do is get them out of jail as quickly as possible. The first thing you will need to do is find out where they are being held and whether bail has been set. A reputable bail bond agent can provide you with this information quickly and easily.
They can also help you post bail without requiring that you use up all of your personal savings or wipe out the money you need to pay your bills and feed your family. If you go straight to a bail bondsman, you will only need to come up with a small percentage of the total bail amount.
In addition, a bail bond agent will remind you of your court dates and check in with you to make sure that you are showing up for all of your assigned court dates. This will keep you from missing any important dates and potentially having your case thrown out of court.
Money
In most states, the court is required to take into account whether bail will pose a financial hardship for the accused and their loved ones. However, many courts fail to do this and people are forced to stay in jail until their case is finished or they decide to take a plea.
If an accused is unable to afford the full amount of their bail, they can contact a bail bondsman. They will charge a fee usually 10% of the total bond amount and secure it with collateral, such as property or a vehicle.
This allows the accused to get out of jail quickly and avoid losing their employment, housing or other essential assets. It also prevents them from missing out on work days, which may cost them even more money in the long run. If the accused fails to show up for their court dates, the bail bondsman will hire bounty hunters and take over their role in the case.
Reliability
When someone posts bail they’re giving a promise to the court that they will show up for their trial. A bail bondsman will often require a cosigner to guarantee the bond. Cosigners are usually a close family member or friend. The bondsman will also probably require that the defendant or their cosigner put up collateral, such as property or cash to secure the bail bond.
The bail process can be costly, especially if the defendant’s bail is high. Often, it requires that they sell heirlooms or dig into savings. If the defendant misses a court date or breaches any other terms of their bail, their bail may be forfeited, and they will go to jail.
Providing reliable references shows the bail bondsman that you are trustworthy and can be trusted to follow through on your commitment to appear in court. Having good references will help you avoid the need to sell property or dip into your savings account to pay for the bond.
Availability
A judge will usually require a defendant to pay a deposit or post security in the amount of the bail before allowing them to be released from jail. The deposit or collateral can be in the form of cash, property or a surety bond.
Using a bail bond company means that you or your loved one won’t have to put any of your own money on the line to get out of jail. It also allows you to remain free to work, care for children and prepare for court proceedings without having to worry about how to meet the high cost of bail.
When you take out a bail bond, the bail bondsman will typically sign a contract that states they are responsible for ensuring that you attend all of your scheduled court dates and trials. They will also make regular check-in calls or have you sign periodic paperwork to ensure that you are meeting your obligations and attending your court appearances.
