Many bail bond agents have relationships with bounty hunters because of the financial risk when a client - particularly one out on an extremely high bail - doesn't show up for a court hearing or trial. If the client isn't found and brought to authorities, the bail bond agent has to pay the total amount of the bond.
In determining a person’s bail, the judge may take several different factors into account. These include the defendant’s criminal record, his or her history of showing up for court appearances in the past, ties to the community, and whether the suspect may be a danger to others.
There are different types of bonds. Cash bonds require payment in full. Surety bonds are for situations when the bond is greater than what an individual can afford. A percentage of the bond is paid, so the defendant can get out of jail.
Bond agents have a standing agreement with local court officials, which states that they agree to pay the court if any defendant covered by the bond does not appear in court.
When a bail bond is paid entirely by the defendant or their co-signer, then they’ll get the entire amount back when the defendant shows up in court. However, these can often be large amounts, which is why people will often choose to use a bail bond company.
It’s important to remember that a bail bonds agent is a neutral party in your legal matter. Unlike the prosecution and the defense attorney who have clear stakes in the outcome, our only concern is getting you the bail you need to get out of jail and ensuring you show up for your court date.
If bail is not affordable to you, hire a bail agent to take on the responsibility of the full amount of bail. When contacting a bail agent, be sure to know the defendant’s name, what jail they’re in, their booking number, and the specific charges.
Did you know that Peter McDonough was the preeminent bondsman in San Francisco? In fact, he remains an icon in the history of the bail bond industry today.
In 1275, the Statute of Westminster eliminated the discretion of sheriffs regarding which crimes were considered "bailable." Under this statute, both bailable and non-bailable offenses were specified.
The bail bond system, in which an individual or company promises to a court that a criminal defendant will show up for trial, is unique to the United States and the Philippines, according to legal experts.
Are you concerned that your loved one will have to stay in jail until the morning when you’re able to bail him or her out? Remember, in many cases, we can get to work on the bail bond at any time of day or night, expediting his or her release.
One common misconception about the bail bonds industry is that the bail process is over once money is posted. However, the bail agent ensures that the defendant shows up for his or her court date.
When a suspect isn't booked and bonded out, but instead released on "his own recognizance," are all his charges automatically dropped? If you guessed no, you're right. This only means the accused is being released without bail because the court is confident he will appear for trial.
Currently, capital punishment is legal in 34 U.S. States. As of January 2009, there were 3,306 inmates on death row, and that number has tripled in a little over 30 years.
Attorneys who appointed by the courts to represent individual who want an attorney but are not able to afford one are considered public defenders.
The roots of the bail system in the U.S. evolved from a long history of English statutes and policies. In fact, the American constitutional provisions and statutes overseeing bail were taken directly from the old English system.
The booking process completion time varies on how busy the jail is and the person being booked. One exception applies to anyone charged with a DUI or any alcohol-related charge. In this case, the person usually held until the alcohol content drops a certain level.
Nobody plans on being arrested, but if it happens, a 24-hour bail bond service can get someone out of jail until a trial date is set.
Did you know that bail bond agents are almost exclusively found in the United States and in the Philippines? This is because bail costs in other countries are usually much more affordable.
Bail in the United States grew out of the English legal tradition that allowed the accused the ability to offer property or money to the court to secure temporary freedom while waiting for his or her case to come to trial.
The United States’ bail system evolved from a system developed in England during the Middle Ages. In 1677, the English parliament passed the Habeas Corpus Act, which, among its provisions, established that magistrates would set terms for bail.
Bail bond rates (the fee that can be charged for providing bail) are set by each state so defendants are protected against unscrupulous practices.
When a judge sets a bail, he or she usually looks at a variety of factors, including any flight risk, the nature of the crime, and more. That’s why the bail amount will often be drastically different from person to person and crime to crime.
Ideally, a bail bond should be a pretty straight forward process: The bond is posted, the bail bondsmen keeps a percentage as a fee, and the arrestee is released. In order to keep it simple, the arrestee has to make sure they show up for all court dates.