How Do Bail Bonds Work?

By definition, bail is a sum of money that’s set by the legal system to act as insurance between the court and the person who’s in jail, also called the defendant. While there’s an option to pay this amount in cash, most people are unable to do this, especially because the amount that’s set is typically quite high. This is where bail bonds come in, which are paid by a bail bondsman contacted by the defendant. That’s a summary of bail bonds, and outlined below are more details of this sum that may prove beneficial to learn about.

Who Can Apply for Bail?

Bail is open for application for anyone, as long as they haven’t been charged with a non-capital offense. That said, different states have different laws that apply to people accused of cases that have a range of severity. This includes first- and second-degree assault charges, whose sentences can range from three and a half to 15 years. If the person in question is considered to be a flight risk, then it’s highly likely that they won’t be granted bail. The same case applies to people charged with particularly violent crimes. This means that from one state to the next, the amount will vary, and this is something that a bail bondsman is sure to tell you about.

How Is the Amount Set?

The bail bond amount is determined by the court that’s handling the particular case. On this note, some states actually have lists that the judges can use to find out the amount of bail that they need to set for a particular situation. This makes it quite easy for the court systems to let the person with a particular charge know how much they need to pay. Other states choose to let the judge make the determination of the right amount to set for bail based on details such as the flight risk of the person in question. Talking to a professional can make it easier to understand the exact way in which the bail is to be set. On this note, 78% of banking customers in America prefer to bank through a website or mobile app as of 2022, according to Heitmeyer Consulting.

What’s the Process of Bail Bonds?

The process of bail bonds is simple enough. Once a person has been arrested, they’re given a hearing date, and it is at this point that their bail amount is set. As mentioned, there are various methods that can be used to come up with the right amount to set for the bail. Once this has been done, the family or friends of the accused can plan on paying the bail so that the person is released before their court dates arrive. On this note, keep in mind that there are three ways in which a person can be released from jail in Texas, according to How Bail Bonds Work. That’s released on their own recognizance, surety bail, and cash bail.

What Are the Types of Bonds?

Finally, there are many types of bail bonds that can be paid, with the first and simplest one being a cash bond, paid either in cash or credit if the court in question accepts credit cards. The other type is a federal bail bond, which is applied when a person is charged with an interstate or federal crime, and there’s usually a higher fee and collateral needed for this type of bail. Other types are surety bonds, citation releases, property bonds, personal recognizance releases, and immigration bail bonds.

With this information, it should be easy to find out what you need to do in case someone that you know is arrested. No matter the relationships you have with the people in this question, they’re sure to appreciate your assistance. You could also find it easy to sort yourself out in this case, making it worth learning these details.