It’s really, truly the first thought that someone who finds themselves thrown in jail is bound to have…

How am I going to get out? And how quickly?

Being arrested, booked, and thrown into jail can be a bewildering experience, especially if it’s your first time. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place with your key people beforehand. In other words, determine who it is that you will call if you get into such an unfortunate predicament. Perhaps you’ll be asked to be someone else’s point person. Either way, you’ll definitely want to employ the assistance of a licensed bonding agent, or bail bondsman, as they’re better known, to help you get the arrested out of jail as quickly as possible. Here are a few quick tips to help you find a qualified bonding agent in your area.

Referral

First of all, go with what you know… In other words, try and get a personal reference from someone you know and trust. That’s usually your first and best bet in finding most anything, including a bonding agent. If nobody in your circle can recommend one, simply call and ask any defense attorney. They work closely and often with bail bondsmen and can probably give you the names of a few good ones you can trust.

Search the Internet

A simple Internet search just might yield the results you’re looking for when looking for a qualified bonding agent. Make sure to search for bail bondsmen in your local area that are licensed to work in your state. Because a bond (or surety bond, technically) is a form of insurance, make certain that they have a license to sell insurance within your state.

Vet Them Once You’ve Found Them

Once you’ve found one you’re interested in, ask all the necessary questions regarding their credentials and license to work in your state as a licensed insurance agent. Ask for testimonials or any online reviews they might have regarding their working reputation. Also, make sure to find out about all their fees upfront, before signing anything. In addition to the bonding fee – which is usually 10% of the bond amount set by the judge – they should be able to provide an itemized list of fees that you will be charged.

While nobody will deny that the thought of being arrested is a horrible one, hiring a competent, licensed bonding agent in your local area is one of the best things you can do to shorten any unfortunate stay in jail.