Bail Bond: Bail Options to Consider To Get Post Bail

A bail bond is the most affordable method to obtain a release from jail. However, it’s a crucial decision that you shouldn’t take lightly. The legal liabilities associated with the bail bond are serious undertaking, and whether or not you face the consequence for those obligations depends on the choice of the person you’re getting bail for.

While you pay a faction of total amount required for your loved one’s bail bond, the bail bondsman will cover the rest of the cost. As long as the perpetrator appears for all court hearings and puts up with all the court orders, the agent gets their money back. But if the defendant encroaches upon any conditions of the bail contract or refuses to accept court order, the agent doesn’t get their money back until they make the perpetrator to appear in the court.

However, bondsmen usually get a certain time period to do this and in most cases, they fail to present the offender before the judge. In such conditions, you are liable to pay the agent remaining amount of bail as the contract specifies.  While using these services has many pros and cons, with so many bail bond companies and agents, it can be really difficult deciding on the right one.

In order to avoid any liability apprehensions, make sure to cosign for those you can trust. Do not sign the contract for someone you do not know closely especially if they are not working individuals nor have a criminal record or history of evading the law.

Types of Bail

Usually, a criminal defendant is sent to jail to await a hearing date in the court.  Except for serious criminal cases, an accused may be entitled of post bail to get out of the bar with the oath that they will appear for the trial. This bail typically involves paying a fee or collateral which is sometimes not refundable. Generally, the types of bail vary according to the severity of the criminal charges.

The bail money is set by the court and while the case is in the process, the bail amount is deposited with a court clerk or a bail bond agency.  This amount is returned when the proceedings are finished. However, a fraction of amount is deducted if the accused is found guilty.

Listed below are 5 types of bail:

Bail Bond

Also termed as security bond, this bail type is used when the criminal defendant can’t afford paying the total amount of bail upfront. In such cases, a family member or a friend of the defendant contacts a bail bondsman or company for help. These individuals are licensed holders to offer the full amount loan to the accused for a fee. The agency then makes a contract with an insurance company which agrees to reimburse the total amount of bail if the accused doesn’t appear in the court.  In most cases, the bail bondsmen hire a bounty tracker to find the criminal defendant and ensure their attendance for the trial sessions.

Property Bond:

If the criminal defendant owns fortune in their property, they can offer property instead of paying cash for post bail. If the accused doesn’t appear for the trial, the court may order to foreclose to property to collect on the bail.

Release on Own Personal Recognizance

There are cases where the accused poses no risk to others or has been charged for minor crime. In such a case the court may offer the release from jail without requiring any bail amount. This happens purely on accused person’s promise to appear in the court.

Cash Bail

In some cases, the accused may be offered to avail the option of cash bail. If they can afford, they pay the total money of the bail in cash or bank check to get release from the jail.