Typically, people arrested and charged with crimes that would not result in capital punishment are allowed to post bail. They must agree to abide by certain conditions, which is where the bond company comes in.
These include not committing crimes, not drinking or using drugs, and making all of their court dates. Occasionally, they are required to communicate with the bond company.
Collateral
Many individuals may not have sufficient funds to pay their bail in full, so they turn to bail bonds West Chester PA company for assistance. These companies charge a fee and offer to aid the accused in attending their court appearances.
To do this, they require collateral, something of value held in case the defendant fails to appear in court. The item in question could range from a vehicle to accessories or money. The most reliable type of collateral is property, however. This is because homes are generally worth far more than the amount of any bail and because it is difficult to conceal or hide.
Bail bond companies often prefer to have a relative put up the collateral on behalf of their loved one.
Money
A bail bond is a contract made between the defendant and the court. It ensures that the defendant will return for all future court proceedings. The court determines the bail amount.
Bail is usually set in amounts beyond most people’s financial capabilities. A bail bond company can enter as a third party to post the bond for a fee.
The bail bondsman makes money by charging a nonrefundable premium. This is often 10-20% of the total bail amount. The bail bondsman also requires collateral. When an individual charged with a crime does not show up in court or breaks the conditions of their release, they become a fugitive. The bail agent will then pay the court the bail amount. They may also lose any collateral that was signed over to them.
If the defendant is a fugitive, they can be tracked down and arrested. They will then forfeit the bail amount and possibly face additional charges.
Property
In some cases, collateral is needed in addition to the cash portion of a bail bond. This usually refers to possessions such as a vehicle, a home, or other property type. If the defendant doesn’t attend court, this property will be seized and sold to recover the money paid on their behalf.
Sometimes, the court may allow the defendant to be released on their recognizance, especially if they are accused of a minor offense and not likely to flee. This is known as a citation release.
While working with a bail bondsman, it’s essential to remember that they see you as less of a criminal and more of a client worthy of quality treatment and customer service. This can help boost your morale through a demoralizing process for most people. It can also mean you can attend work days while waiting for your case to be resolved.
Assets
When a person is arrested and their bail amount is set, they can be released on their recognizance, with the condition that they appear in court, or a surety bond can be obtained through a bail bondsman. If the defendant misses their scheduled court hearing, the bail company will keep hold of the collateral until the case is resolved.
Typically, bail bondsmen will accept property such as cars or houses instead of cash as collateral. In case the defendant doesn’t show up for court hearings, their property may be subject to a lien and could be sold. Many individuals cannot afford to pay their bail in full, making a bail bond a valuable option for assistance. It can help alleviate the stress of coming up with the money while allowing you to continue working and avoiding the risk of losing your job.
