No one ever wants to be in the position of having to be bailed out of jail. However, if it does happen, it is important to understand how the bail bonds process works. These are three of the facts you should know about bail bonds.
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There Is More Than One Kind of Bond
can be cash or surety bonds. If you opt for a cash bond, you will need to pay the full amount of the bail. These bonds are not purchased through a bail agent. Cash bonds are usually posted for minor crimes with lower bond amounts. When you post a cash bond, the court will retain the full amount of the bond until your case is over.
Surety bonds involve a contract with a bail agent. With a surety bond, the bail bonds company finances the bond in exchange for a fee. If you fail to appear in court, the bail bonds person is liable for the full amount of your bail and will likely attempt to collect it from you. Because of the risk involved, the bail bonds person will usually interview the person guaranteeing the bond to determine how likely the accused is to fail to appear in court and how likely the person guaranteeing the bond is to be able to pay the bonds person if the accused does not appear in court.
How Your Bond Amount Is Determined
The main factors that determine the amount of the bail bond are the severity of the crime and the accused person’s criminal history. Severe crimes usually come with higher bail amounts. People who have a history of not showing up for past criminal trials may also receive a higher bail amount or even be refused bail if the judge determines they are too high of a flight risk.
Consequences for Violating Bond
If you fail to appear in court you will be in trouble with both the court and the bail bonds company. You could be placed in jail until the conclusion of your case. You may forfeit your bond money and any collateral you used to secure it. You may also receive a jail sentence for violating bond. Additionally, the bail bonds person is entitled to track you down and attempt to collect the money paid to the court.
If you get arrested for a crime, it is important to understand how bail bonds work. Failure to comply with your bond could result in severe financial and criminal penalties.