Posting bail for yourself or a loved one is often seen as a daunting task. A common question that arises is whether you can get your bail money back. The answer is not definite; therefore, suffice to say—it depends.
With options to choose from, you can undertake the bail payment process that suits you. Here is a brief guide on the two ways you can post bail and the benefits of the different options.
How Bail Bond Works
After bail is set, the defendant (the person arrested) must pay a certain amount. You can do this either in the form of cash or collateral (such as your house or car), or you can choose to pay through a bail bond agent to secure your release. Either the person arrested or a loved one on their behalf can help coordinate this.
1. You Can Pay It Yourself
One of the less common options is to pay the entire amount of bail in full. This is where the defendant, or the person paying on their behalf, pays the total amount of money upfront. However, bail is often tens of thousands of dollars or more, which is extremely difficult to scrape up and pay at once.
Once the case is resolved, you can get your money back if all the court’s requirements were properly fulfilled. These requirements include attending all court appearances, and may involve other requests such as psych evaluations, community service, etc.
Although this option does offer the potential for a refund, it’s important to note the risks of paying bail in full. Bail is extremely expensive, and posting the full amount may leave you with very little money left over for your family or legal services. This could put you in a financial bind for an extended period of time, as it may be a while before you get your money back.
2. Use a Bail Bondsman
The second, more common option, involves working with a bail bond agent. The bail bondsman posts bail on behalf of the defendant at a reduced rate. Typically, bail bond price ranges from 10% to 15% of the whole bond. However, this fee to the bondsman is non-refundable.
Despite this, a bail bond is the best option if you can’t pay your full bail due to financial constraints. Even if you have the funds available, working with a bail bondsman is still smart and preferred by many. People are usually reluctant to pay in full and lose such a large amount of money for an extended period of time, so they opt to pay the 10% to 15% to the bail bondsman instead.
What are the Advantages of Using a Bail Bond Agent?
Bail bonds are a popular option because of their multiple benefits. Using a bail bond will:
● Allow the defendant to continue with their routine lifestyle without having to wait for the hearings in jail.
● Prevent the defendant from losing their jobs and allows them to support their families while still going through the judicial process.
● Allow the defendant to help their attorney build a robust case, as they will be physically available.
If you’re looking for a bail bondsman, contact Bad Boyz Bail Bonds today and let us provide the help you need.
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