A bail bond allows an individual accused of a crime to be released from custody as they await trial. The bond is posted by a bail bondsman or bail agent. The money isn’t free, of course, and you usually have to pay an upfront, nonrefundable fee.
It’s smart to ask a bail bond agent how much the fee is.
So why are bail bonds needed? Let’s say that someone is taken into custody. A judge can set bail, meaning money that the defendant must pay to be released from jail. The money acts as collateral. If the defendant cannot afford to pay the full bail, they can work with a bail bondsman.
The defendant is required to show up for all court dates while they are out on bail. If the defendant does appear in court as required, the bail bondsman might send a bounty hunter after them. This bounty hunter can take a person into custody and turn them over to the courts.
Ultimately, bail bonds help people secure freedom. The court process is long and without bail bond agents, many people would spend long stints in jail even before go on trial. If you or a loved one are facing a criminal trial, make sure you contact a bail bond agent.
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