Understand the Bail Bond Process
Before you embark on a search for a bail bondsman, you should be familiar with the bail bond process. First, let’s define our terms.
“Bail” is a sum of money that must be deposited by the accused to secure a temporary release from jail. Bail is set by the magistrate in court, and it is meant to ensure that the accused returns to court for all subsequent hearings. If the defendant makes it all of their court dates, then this bail can be refunded. However, many defendants cannot post the entire bail amount, either on their own or with the help of family and friends.
This is when a defendant can turn to a bail bondsman to help them post bail.
A “bail bond” is like a contract between the government and the person who posts the bond. When you hire a bail bondsman to post bond, the bail bondsman is in essence giving the government a guarantee that you (the defendant in this example) will appear in court at a later date as required. The bail bondsman will then charge the defendant a non-refundable fee in exchange for posting a bond with the government. If the defendant fails to show up in court, the bondsman is required to pay the full amount of the bail to government. In other words, the bail bondsman is investing in the defendant by posting bail for them.
Finding a Helpful & Trustworthy Bail Bondsman
Many bail bondsmen can be found online through a bail bondsman database. You simply have to search for a bail bondsman in a specific area or city. You can then contact the bondsman with details on the required bail bond and the defendant’s charges.
You should vet the bondsman to ensure that they have the necessary credentials and background. It is important that you uncover whether the bondsman has a solid reputation and is trustworthy, as you are depending on them to provide the required funds for the bail bond.
Looking at client reviews is a great way to see if a bail bondsman is known for their accessibility and helpfulness, or not.
You should also ask the bail bondsman how long they have been in the bail bonds business. Generally, the longer the bail bondsman or agency has been in business, the better their track record of satisfied clients and successful bail postings. This means they have successfully helped many clients and have an incentive to maintain a good reputation.
Dan Nesser has provided bail bonds in Los Angeles County for more than 20 years. He’s available 24/7/365 to answer your questions and provide help. Call (888) 773-8037 now!