Last Updated on March 14, 2023 by
Bail is a legal concept that has been in use for centuries. In the US, bail has been used since the country’s founding. However, it remains a controversial topic today, with many people believing that it should be abolished or reformed to prevent abuse by unscrupulous actors who take advantage of those accused of crimes. This article explores some facts about bail bonds and why they continue to be used today despite their history of controversy and abuse.
Bail Bonds Are Not the Same as Bail
It’s essential to understand the difference between bail and a bail bond. Bail is a set amount of money paid to the court to ensure a person will show up for their court date. If someone does not appear in court, their bail can be forfeited. A bail bond is a contract paid to a bail bonds company that agrees to pay the total amount of the original bond if your friend or family member fails to appear in court.
A Bail Bond Is a Contract
The bail bond, in its basic form, is a contract between you and your bail agent. The agreement states that you will pay them an upfront fee, and they will pay off all of your court-ordered obligations. It’s important to note that while this is usually enough to get out of jail, other charges associated with your release must be paid in full before leaving the facility. These include:
- Court fines
- Probation fees
If you fail to do so within 72 hours after posting bail or release expires, you could be brought back into custody until these fees are settled.
There’s No Bail Bond Fee Cap in Texas
The amount you may be required to pay for a bail bond in Texas is not capped. That means you and your loved ones could find yourselves paying tens of thousands of dollars to get out of jail if you don’t have the funds available.
The right to bail: Under the Constitution, everyone who has been arrested has the right to bail even if they can’t afford it. This means that in Texas, as long as you’re charged with a non-capital offense, there’s no limit on how much bail can be set by a judge.
There’s No Set Bail Bond Fee
Bail bond fees vary by county. In some areas, a bail bond fee can be as little as $10, but in others, it can cost as much as $1,000 or more. Bail bond fees also depend on the crime committed and the type of collateral used to secure your loved one’s release from jail. You must research these fees before deciding whether or not to hire a bail bond company.
Some People Are Exempted
Some people are exempt from paying a bail bond fee. This can include:
- People who are charged with misdemeanors.
- People charged with felonies have a bail of less than $2,000.
- People charged with felonies have a bail of $2,000 or more but don’t pose a flight risk (e.g., they live in the area).
How Do You Pay?
You can pay your bail bond with cash, credit and debit cards, or even a signature loan. If you cannot do so yourself, someone else can pay the bond for you. They may be required to sign an affidavit of indigency to qualify for this option.
Most Companies Have 24/7 Services
Some companies have a call center you can call to ask questions, while others offer live chat and an online form to e-mail questions or concerns. For instance, Bail Hotline, which offers bail bonds in Sacramento, offers various services such as calculators for determining the amount that needs to be posted on your loved one’s bond, information about how the process works and what to expect during it, and links to state laws regarding bail bonding.
You Can Speed up the Process
One of the most critical steps to take when you bail someone out is to prepare all your paperwork. If you have been arrested, or if someone has been arrested and needs your help, it can be hard to know exactly what you need to do and how long it will take. The good news is that as long as you have all the correct information prepared beforehand, getting through this process quickly and efficiently should be much easier.
First and foremost, ensure they have their driver’s license number handy. Make sure that whoever needs bail has given permission first before obtaining this piece of information, though; otherwise, there may be problems later down the line (and yes -there could be jail time involved).
You Are Entitled to a Refund after the Case Is Closed
You may be entitled to a refund after the case is closed. The amount of your refund depends on the company and their policies, as well as whether or not you have any money left in your account. If there’s still enough money in your account, it will be returned to you after the case is over. Your contract may require that fees apply for withdrawing funds from an account before it’s closed out by default.
You Can Find out If Someone Is in Jail through Online Databases
If you have a friend or loved one who has been arrested, the best way to find out if they are in jail is by contacting the police department that arrested them. You can also look online for databases that may list inmates.
Know the Full Name and Spelling of Who you’re Looking For
When searching for a person’s name and spelling, you must include their date of birth or age (in years) if you know it. You can find out someone’s date of birth by asking them or looking at their driver’s license or other government-issued ID cards.
To search for someone using their name, you’ll need to enter the information into an online database that contains arrest records for individuals who live in your state.
How does bail bond work in New York?
A bail bond is a legal mechanism used to secure the release of a person who has been arrested for a criminal offense. In New York, when a person is arrested, they are taken to a police station for booking and processing. After this, they are taken to court where the judge sets a bail amount. Bail is a sum of money that the accused person must pay to the court in order to be released from jail while awaiting trial.
If the accused person cannot afford to pay the bail amount, they can hire a bail bondsman. A bail bondsman is a licensed professional who agrees to pay the full bail amount on behalf of the accused person in exchange for a fee, typically 10% of the bail amount. This fee is non-refundable, even if the accused person is found not guilty or the charges are dropped.
The bail bondsman will also require collateral from the accused person or their family or friends, such as a car or property. If the accused person fails to appear in court, the bail bondsman can seize the collateral as payment for the full bail amount.
In summary, the bail bond system in New York allows accused persons to be released from jail while awaiting trial by paying a bail amount or hiring a bail bondsman. While this can be a helpful option for those who cannot afford to pay bail outright, it is important to understand the risks and obligations involved.
Conclusion
Bail bonds are a great way to ensure that your loved ones or friends quickly escape jail. You can find out who’s in jail by online searching with the person’s name, date of birth, and age. It’s vital that you know the spelling of the name correctly because some people have similar names but different spellings.
