What You Need to Know About Bail Bonds

Did you know that one in every 20 people will serve time in prison? With this number increasing, it is important to understand how bail bonds work in the event that you need to worry about dealing with them in the future. Here are some facts about bail bonds:

1. Bail is set within 48 hours. Once the bail has been set, the person can legally leave jail as long as they meet certain conditions of the bail.
2. There are multiple types of bail including cash, property, and surety bonds. It is important to work with a bail bondsman to know you are selecting the right one for your situation. Felonies are typically one of the highest-priced bail bonds due to the nature of the crime.
3. You normally need to pay a 10 percent fee of the total amount of the bail. A formal agreement needs to be signed with the bail bondsman stating that you or the person you bailed out will show up to court.
4. Collateral can be used to secure the bail bond. Any asset you have can normally be used to secure the bond including your home or car.
5. The bail amount is set based on the crime. A judge is in charge of setting the bail, and they may have a higher bail amount because of the criminal record of the person and the nature of the crime committed. Judges will also increase the bail amount if the individual has skipped court appearances in the past. In other situations, a judge will deny bail due to the criminal history of the person.
6. If the person fails to show up to court, the bond is revoked. A warrant will be issued and the collateral used will be seized. Law enforcement will also be dispatched to find the defendant, and bail bondsman will also be on the hunt for the person. If the defendant fails to appear in court within a specific amount of time, the full bond amount is required to be paid back in full.
7. A bond is not refundable. The amount you pay the bail bondsman is for their services. Cash bonds usually give back a percentage of the money following sentencing.
8. The person that signs the bail is legally required to pay for the bond. If the defendant fails to appear in court, you will need to deal with the fallout and pay for the bond, or have your assets seized that were used to secure the bond.
9. You can file a motion to reduce the bail amount if you feel the bail is set too high. The judge will need to review the motion, and it pays to hire an attorney to assist in this situation as some judges could increase the bail based on their findings.

Selecting a bail bonds company comes down to assessing your needs. It is important to hire a company who is on your side and understands the sensitive nature of the situation you are dealing with. Contact AAA Bail Bonds in Ogden for all your bail bonds needs and requirements.