Understanding The Role Of Your Bail Bondsman If You Have Been Arrested

1 March 2018
 Categories: Law, Blog

Share

If you have been arrested and require the services of a bail bondsman, there are a few things you need to understand. Remember that a bondsman is taking a chance on you and not appearing in court is not a good way to repay that trust. If you are bonded out of jail, you need to do the things that are expected of you and follow the rules set forth by the court and the bonding agency.

You Need Them More Than They Need You

While it is true that a bondsman is in business to make money, they can do many things to earn a paycheck. If you are sitting in jail, you have only one option for getting out and that involves a someone willing to put up the bail and take a chance on yours. If your bail is set very high, it is unlikely that a friend or family member is going to have that money, but the bondsman can get you out. Understand that there will be rules to follow, check-ins to make, and requirements that the bondsman may put on you.

Getting Bailed or Bonded Out

In order to get a bail bondsman to put up your bail, you need to show some form of good faith. In some cases, they will require a percentage of the bail in cash, in other cases collateral like a car or house is required. The amount of collateral will vary by the amount of the bail. It is important to understand that the bondsman is taking all the risk, so often the collateral is less about them taking your house and more about building a level of trust between you and them. When you ask for a bondsman to come and see you, they will likely want to talk to you about your case a little and ask some general questions about your situation. They will also cover what they require of you and you will need to sign a contract with the bondsman agreeing to the terms of the bond. Be honest and clear in your answers if you want them to work with you.

Failing To Meet Your Obligations

If you fail to appear in court, not only is the judge going to issue a warrant for your arrest, but also the bondsman is going to revoke your bail and start looking for you as well. They will return you to jail, and it will be very hard to get bailed out a second time. Because they are risking money and their reputation with the court, most bail companies will not mess around with someone who either does not appear in court or violates the terms of their bail in some other way. This is the time to do everything right and be sure to talk with the bondsman if you have any question about the terms of the bond. They will be more than willing to help you if you take the time to talk to them.

For more information, contact a business such as Ron's Bonds Co