When someone has been arrested, there’s little to no doubt that they would like to be out of jail as soon as possible. It’s a frightening experience that can leave someone feeling helpless, confused, and isolated, among many other things. In such an instance, getting out of jail should be the very first priority.

First, in order to be released, a judge must first set a bail amount for the detainee. Bail is money or some form of valuable property that is pledged to the court for the purposes of securing the temporary release of the accused as they await their upcoming trial date. If the accused has the available funds to post bail, they may choose to do so in order to gain release from jail.

No Money For Bail?

If the detainee doesn’t have money for bail, however, they (or someone they know) should employ the help of a bail bonding company to post the bail (in the form of a surety bond) on their behalf. In a nutshell, the bail bonding company guarantees the full bail amount to the court and charges the defendant a fee (generally equal to 10% of the bail amount) called a bail bond premium. While the fee isn’t refundable, the bond allows the defendant to be released from jail for much less than the full bail amount.

No Money For Bond?

If the accused is lacking the funds necessary to even pay the 10% bond, most bail bonding companies even go a step further by offering a few additional options to negotiate the terms of the bond.

• Collateral – While most anything that possesses a high resale value and is also fully-owned can be used as collateral, it ultimately depends on the individual bail bonding company to decide what they choose to accept as collateral. In almost every instance, real estate can be used, with the understanding that the property can be foreclosed if the accused “skips bail,” or doesn’t appear for their day in court. Other widely acceptable forms of collateral such as fully-owned vehicles, boats, fine jewelry, and firearms could also be considered, depending on the individual bail bonding company. In some instances, the owner can even maintain physical possession and use of larger items such as houses, vehicles, and boats while they’re being used as collateral. The bail bonding company simply maintains possession of the title, in such cases.
• Financing – The bail bonding company can sometimes finance the amount of the bond in order to negotiate a convenient payment plan for the defendant. Of course, there is interest to be paid for the amount being borrowed, but the defendant will still be able to post “bond out” in a reasonable amount of time without wasting precious time trying to come up with the bond premium upfront.

Trust a Licensed Bail Bonding Company

While every situation is unique and could present a unique set of circumstances, a licensed and trustworthy bail bonding agent is a true advocate for someone who is in jail and seeking release by way of bail. Oftentimes, because of their experience and the contacts they’ve developed on both the law enforcement and judicial sides, a competent bail bonding agent can help the detained and their loved ones navigate the process from arrest to release.