If someone you know has been arrested and they’ve called you for help in getting them out, it’s safe to say that no matter how many times you’ve been in such a situation, it’s a tense and stressful circumstance. Because cooler heads tend to prevail, it’s important to keep a clear head in order to be as helpful as possible. It’s also important to know what to look for in a bail bondsman to help you get your loved one out of jail. Here are a few things to ask about:

Experience

Obviously, the more experience they have, the better it is for you and your loved one. Experienced bonding agents should know the ins and outs in that particular jurisdiction. First and foremost, ask them if they’re licensed in that state. In addition, are they registered with that particular state’s insurance board? Also, consider checking review sites online and on social media for additional information.

Speed

Quite simply, ask them how quickly they can help you to get your loved one out of jail. The experience that a licensed bondsman brings to the table should aid in getting the defendant out more quickly. The process has a lot of steps to it; it’s best to find someone who knows a shortcut or two in order to speed up the process.

Payment

Even though judges are the ones who set bail amounts, and usually do so based on specific bail schedules, the individual payment terms and plans for a bail bondsman can be as assorted as the number of bond companies themselves. First off, ask how much they charge for their services. Most reputable bail bond professionals charge an amount that’s approximately 10% of the bail amount. Most will accept all conventional methods of payment, while some can also accept assorted forms of collateral for those short on money. Most will also be more than happy to discuss possible payment plans that make sense to you and your bottom line.