If you have a friend or loved one to bail out and need help, a bail bondsman can assist you during the process. However, you might not be aware of what factors you should consider in order to avoid paying high fees and to ensure that your loved one gets the help they need in a timely fashion. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Know They May Not Take the Case
Depending on the state you are in and the particular locality where the crime was allegedly committed, a bondsman may opt not to take on your loved one's case. There may be a delay before you discover this news, as the bondsman may pull their credit report and find out as much as they can about your loved one. Because of this time lag, you may wish to consult more than one bondsman when seeking help so that you will be able to find one who will get your loved one out of jail as soon as possible.
Find Out the Penalties Involved
You may be so interested in getting your loved one out of jail that you may not do due diligence and find out what will happen to you if they don't make their court appearance. If you're like many who bail out loved ones, you might not even dream that they won't make their court date, so you don't pay very much attention to the terms put forth for bail.
Different bondsmen have different guidelines and rules, so it is in your best interest to find out what penalties you might incur and shop around for a bondsman who offers the fairest deal for you. That way, if your loved one skips out on their court date, you don't have to lose all of your money or whatever you've used as collateral.
You May Have to Pay Two Bonds
If your loved one is arrested again on other charges and you seek bail again, you might find yourself paying the premium on two separate bonds. Instead, find out whether the bondsman you're thinking of using would allow you to resign your position on the first bond. Some bondsmen do not, so it is best to know this before choosing one to begin with.
The information laid out above can help you make better choices during the bail bonding process. Be sure to consult a bail bondsman to give you and your loved one the help you need.
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