The Importance of Acting Fast in Bail Bonds

Bail is money paid to the court that allows an accused individual to be released from jail before their court date. There are four types of bonds; cash, property, unsecured, and surety. Friends and family often work with a bail bond company to secure a defendant’s release. In exchange for the fee, the bond agency will agree to put up some collateral to ensure the defendant shows up for all their court dates.

Time is of the Moment

Bail bonds Harrisburg, PA, allow defendant freedom to work on their defense and attend to family obligations while awaiting trial. It also allows them to get to court on time and avoid being transferred to county jail. In exchange for their fee, bond agents promise that the defendant will appear for every court date. If they fail to do so, the bail bond company owes the court the total amount of the original bail. This is why a person who posts a bond must know what they are getting into. A good bail bond agent will remind their indemnitor of these obligations and provide additional non-financial conditions such as requiring periodic check-ins at the office, calling before each court date, and requiring an asset (like a home or car) to be signed over to the bond agent. They will also ensure the defendant understands that if they skip bail, the bondsman may have to enter their home or other third-party property to find them.

Time is of the Essence

Many courts impose a monetary bail amount that the defendant and their family must meet to get them out of jail. They will remain in jail until their trial starts if they don’t. This makes it impossible for them to maintain their job, maintain child custody and other obligations, or build a defense against the charges against them. If you or your loved one cannot afford the full bail amount, they can ask a bail bond agent to write a surety bond. Typically, a bail agent will require the indemnitor, or co-signer, to put up property or other assets worth the entire bond value as collateral to secure the bond. The Indemnitor will also agree to sign contracts requiring them to attend every mandated court date and make periodic check-ins with the bail bond company to ensure they know court dates. Despite the legal protections bond companies have secured and the practically zero losses sustained by their insurance providers, it is not unusual for someone to skip bail. This is why it is essential to act fast.

Cash is the King

When arrested, they may be released from jail if they pay a certain amount to the court before their trial date. This practice and fee varies from state to state in the US and is called “bail.” An arrested person or their family often can’t determine the bail amount upfront. This is where a bail bond agent can help. A bail bondsman acts like a loan officer, providing a way to secure a bond without draining your savings or wiping out money you need for things like food, utilities, rent, and clothing. Bail bond companies also ensure that their clients show up for their court dates. This is in the company’s best interest as it helps them collect the money they lend. If they don’t, parties, including the bail bondsman, lose their money. Understanding this complex transfer of money and risk is an integral part of the criminal justice system and a key reason many rely on bail bond agents for assistance.

Time is of the Tide

Bail bonds provide a critical function to the criminal justice system that allows defendants freedom to work on their defense and take care of life obligations before their trial. But it’s a big responsibility, and bail bond agents (surety producers) must be held accountable for ensuring the defendant shows up in court. Currently, when a fugitive skips bail and fails to appear in court, the bail bondsman owes the courts the amount of the original bond. The only way that they can get this money back is to find the fugitive and bring them back into custody. To make that happen, the bail bond company requires the indemnitor — typically the defendant’s family member — to sign up for property or other assets worth the total amount of the bond. They also call before each court date and require periodic check-ins to ensure the defendant does not leave town. Despite these precautions, many bail bond companies fail to recover the fugitives they release and suffer significant financial losses.