It can be stressful if you or someone close to you is arrested. There are essential steps to ensure your rights are protected and your loved one is released from jail. The first step is hiring a criminal defense lawyer to provide legal representation. Once you have done this, you should contact a bail bond agent licensed by the state and obligated to follow strict regulations.
Know Your Limits
Generally, defendants are released from jail before their court date after posting bail or obtaining a bond. This arrangement assures the judge that the accused will appear for their court dates as scheduled and will not pose a risk of flight or other potential pre-trial violation. Bail bonds Allentown, PA companies may charge a fee between 10-15% of the face value of the bond. They may also charge other minor fees. If a friend or loved one is arrested and can’t afford the total amount of their scheduled bail, a criminal defense lawyer can request that the judge consider certain factors to reduce the amount of the scheduled bond. This could include a person’s prior criminal record, family and community ties, job, etc. The judge will then release the money back to the bail bondsman, which satisfies their loan and leaves them nothing further to pay. Nevertheless, if a bail bond agent charges below-average rates or makes false statements about their fees, you should report them to the proper authorities.
Don’t Be Pressured
Bail allows defendants to escape jail before trial, which can be important for their family life, career, and personal health. However, bail amounts are often higher than the defendant can afford. Unless they can get out on their recognizance or use the property as collateral, they will have to pay the bail bond company a fee of around 10% of the total amount of the bond. Bail bond companies charge this fee to cover their risk if the defendant skips court or does not show up for their trial. They also must pay the court for a warrant to search for the defendant and bring them back into custody. This is why it is important not to contact a bail bond agent until you first consult with an experienced criminal defense law firm. A criminal lawyer can explain how to reduce or eliminate bail bond fees for your loved one based on the specific facts of their case.
Ask Questions
Bail is an agreement between the jailed individual, or defendant, and the party who posts their bond. The person posting the bail – whether a family member, friend, or bondsman – agrees to guarantee that the defendant will appear for all court dates. The court takes public safety seriously, so it must establish that you will not present a threat to the community before granting your release. For this reason, it is essential to establish that you have not committed a high-level offense and do not have previous felony convictions. Your attorney can help you make these critical determinations.
Negotiate
When a person gets arrested and placed on bail, they get a set amount to post to be released. Bail bond agencies step in as a third party to help with this. The service assures the accused to attend all necessary court proceedings, such as the first plea, hearings, and other required appearances. In exchange, they require a fee of approximately 10% of the total bond value. However, the premiums are often much higher than people can feasibly pay, so they try to negotiate with the bondsmen to lower the amount. However, it is essential to know that the premiums and bond amounts are set by judges and not by the bondsman. It is illegal for a bail bond company to charge more than the law stipulates. Any bondsman who says otherwise is likely trying to take advantage of you. A legitimate bondsman will be able to answer all of your questions about the process and how repayments are made in easy-to-understand terms.
