Understanding How Bail Bondsman Services Work

By Walter Wagner


If you find yourself in serious legal trouble leading to an arrest, probably the only thing on your mind is how to get out of jail and how soon it can happen. Or you might get a call in the middle of the night from a friend or family member who has been arrested and wants you to bail them out. Many people would not even know what to do first. Most have watched enough television to know it will cost money to free someone and that a bail bondsman is the person to call.

Most of these people are on call twenty four hours a day seven days a week. They can explain what you need to do and how much it is going to cost. The court usually sets the bail amount in accordance with the severity of the offense. You will probably be required to put up ten percent of the amount in cash or collateral. The bondsman will handle the transfer of funds to the court. This money is supposed to make sure the accused appears in court as scheduled.

Becoming one of these individuals usually requires taking a class on the subject and passing a test at the end of it. After that has been completed the person must apply for a license from the state. Their fingerprints and an extensive background check goes on file as well.

Anyone eighteen years or older can post bond for someone. You can also use your house or car as collateral if you choose to do so, but you need to keep in mind if you do that and the person doesn't appear in court, the court can have your asset repossessed and sold. Bond money can't be used as a write off on your taxes, and you probably won't get it back later.

If the accused leaves town and doesn't appear in court, the court will issue a warrant for his or her arrest. After that the court has several options. The accused can be arrested by law enforcement, by someone authorized and licensed, or by a private investigator.

If a bondsman decides to go after you, they usually use the services of a surety recovery agent, or bounty hunter. Not everyone knows such people really exist outside movies and television shows, but they do. It might seem like an exciting and adventurous job to some. They might even be interested in learning what it takes to become one.

Requirements vary from state to state. In some places you really don't have to do anything but get the bondsman to hire you and tell you what to do and where to go. In other areas it is a felony to operate as a bounty hunter without a license. These individuals are paid a percentage of the bail money. How many cases they handle a year depends entirely on them, but most work on more than a hundred.

The best course of action is probably to avoid getting yourself in a bad legal situation that requires bail in the first place. Otherwise, knowing who to call in the middle of the night might be a good idea.




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