Tips To Use A Bail Bondsman To Quickly Secure Bail Money
Posted on: 20 October 2014
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Anyone can make a mistake and get into trouble with the police. If this happens to one of your loved ones, then you may be asked to place bail after the arrest. Do not panic when this happens. Most people do not have enough cash to pay for bail up front. This means that you may need to speak with a bail bondsman. This is your best option, especially if you are confident that your loved one is responsible enough to make all their court appearances. Your main concern when you receive a phone call from jail will be how quickly you can post bail. Follow some of the bail bond tips below to make sure that the process goes smoothly.
Contact a Bail Bondsman Right Away
Get All the Information
The first thing you need to do when you receive a jail phone call from a loved one is to write down all pertinent information. The bondsman you work with will need to know the specific jail and the county where your family member is being held. The cause of the arrest and the charges filed against your loved one along with their date of birth, gender, and full name must be provided as well. You should also try to find out the booking number used when your loved one was initially booked.
Make sure that you ask your family member for all pertinent information when they call you. The bail may not be set at this time, but you will be able to start the paperwork process with the information you collect. Without the right information, the bail bondsman may need to spend a significant amount of time calling police stations in the area to find out where your family member is located.
Call as Soon as You Can
Once you have all the information you need, call a local bail bondsman right away. Some bail bond businesses are open 24 hours a day, so do not wait until the morning to make arrangements if you receive a phone call in the middle of the night. Even if the business is not open, you will have the opportunity to leave a message so someone can get back to you early in the morning.
Gather Your Collateral
Understanding Bail Amounts
If you decide to work with a bail bondsman before your loved one's bail is set, then make sure that you have more than enough collateral prepared in case bail is higher than you think it will be.
Judges will set bail according to standard practices, and this means that the bondsman can give you an approximate bail amount based on the charges filed during the arrest. Although this is true, there are many factors that can increase the bail amount. Past offenses, poor employment records, and a lack of ties to the community can all be causes for an increase in bail.
How to Provide the Right Collateral
Not only will you not know exactly how much bail will be set for your loved one, but you will need to pay a premium on top of the bail amount. This premium is the nonrefundable fee that is charged when the bondsman agrees to post bail. This premium is set by the state you live in and this means that the bondsman cannot provide discounts if you do not have enough collateral. The premium is usually between 10% and 15% of the bail amount.
You must make sure that you have enough collateral that will cover the cost of the full bail and premium amount. Cars, boats, jewelry, credit cards, houses, and other valuable items can be supplied as collateral.
If you choose to use your house, land, car, boat, or other large object for collateral, then you need to give the deed or title to the bond agent. Make sure you bring this paperwork to the bail bondsman during your initial meeting. Also, bring any documents that indicate the worth of your property. This may be important if a high bail is set and the value of your car or home comes close to the total bail and premium amount. You may not need paperwork if you are supplying a smaller object like a piece of jewelry for collateral, because the bondsman will collect and keep the object until the court case is over.
If a loved one calls you while in a dire situation, then you may be asked to bail them out. You will want to have a peek at this web-site and work quickly to do this and the tips above can help you to secure bail through a bondsman within a timely manner.