What you thought would never happen—did. A loved one was arrested, and you have to come up with a way to keep your loved one out of prison. Most people who are arrested are given a bond amount that must be paid to get the person released before the trial.
The bond might be expensive, and you might not have the required cash available. To get the money you need, you will have to contact a bail bonds company.
Before you decide to post the bond amounts, you should have enough knowledge about different companies to choose wisely. These tips will help you understand the different companies and the processes involved.
1- Fees
If you use the services of a company, you will be charged about 10 percent for the workers to post bail. It means that you will have to make a small payment, but you do not have to pay a large sum of money on the spot. Your loved one can leave the jail upon the small payment issued. Look for companies that offer you the best deal. Do your research.
2- Attorney-referred bonds
When companies work with defense attorneys, they get a reputation for quality work. Look for the bail bonds that are referred by your defense attorney. The price will be reduced to 8 percent, and you will be able to save some money. A criminal defense attorney is necessary for your trial, so why not hire one before posting the bail? You can be assured that you will get a reputable firm and not a fly-by-night company interested in getting your money.
3- Bail amount
In some situations, it is a better decision not to release a person until after his or her arraignment hearing. Your lawyer can make an effort to convince the judge into lowering the fee of the bail amount. If the judge decides to release the person on his recognizance then maybe you will not need to post any bail costs. When the judge does set an amount, often the court will provide a list of bail bonds companies it recommends. Like the attorney-referred companies, these are reputable and work with the court all the time. Often, your loved ones can convince a judge that a lower amount is not going to cause harm.
4- Duty officers
Get friendly or have your lawyer get friendly with detention officers. They also deal with a number of bail bonds companies and know the good ones. They also can suggest a lower bail amount and help you leave awkward situations. Having detention officers as friends can help you and your loved one down the road in court when you will need it.
5- Cheap Bonds
When you hear about companies with inexpensive fee structures, you will believe the deal is the best option for you. For example, some might offer a 5 percent or even lower bail fee. These companies are likely not to have the experience as other, more reputable companies. They might not have a good reputation either. They could be deceiving clients through false advertising. They might be breaking the law.
6- Agencies
When choosing the right bail bonds company for you, consider hiring an agency. These companies keep your information confidential and handle your case. It will also help in saving time and effort. The agencies can assist in posting bonds with a minimum amount of time and little trouble. They also are well-known by attorneys and court clerks. They usually are available while smaller companies have one or two people working and could be not able to reach you or your loved one in time.
7- Reviews
Before picking a bail bonds company, look for reviews about the companies online. You can find reviews about the companies in your area by doing a search and reading what others say. These are the best recommendations because they come from people who are in your same situation.
If you keep all of the tips mentioned above in mind, you will be able to choose the right company for you and your situation.
Source: Seven Tips for Choosing Bail Bonds Company
