When bail is set (usually at arraignment), the accused can be released immediately if the person paying the bail is in court. A bail bondsman will provide you with paperwork to complete and ensure you understand your commitment.
Arrest
When someone is arrested, the judge usually allows them to leave jail if they can afford bail. According to experts in bail bonds Bucks County PA, defendants may pay the full amount of the bail themselves or contact a bail bondsman to help them. The bail agent will charge a fee for this service, and he or she will require that the defendant promises to return to court as scheduled and stick with their bail terms.
Because bail is often set high, many defendants cannot post it alone. In these instances, a friend or family member will act as their indemnitor, paying or promising collateral in exchange for posting the bond. They will also agree to work with the bail agent overseeing their case to meet all court dates.
Court Dates
When bail is set (usually at arraignment), if family members or friends pay it in cash or with a credit card at the courthouse, it prevents the accused from being transferred to jail. However, if the person misses future court dates, that money is not returned, and the indemnitor (person paying the bail) is solely responsible to the courts.
This is a big responsibility that many people want to avoid taking on. They would prefer to get bailed out of jail and return to their jobs, children, and lives. If they do all their court proceedings without missing any when their case is over, they will receive all their money back minus a small fee charged by the courts.
Failure to Appear
A judge may decide that a written promise is insufficient and request a financial guarantee. The defendant can either pay a percentage of the bond amount upfront or hire a bail agency to purchase a surety bond for them, which must be paid back to the company if the accused is found guilty of skipping bail.
A bail agent will charge a premium fee of 10% of the total bond amount set by the court. Typically, this is paid in cash or cryptocurrency and can be used to secure the defendant’s release. A bail bondsman is experienced and has a network of contacts within the legal system. They know who to talk to and how to get the job done quickly so your loved one doesn’t spend unnecessary time in jail.
Failure to Pay Bail
A judge can set bail at a high amount, which can cause financial strain for the accused. It’s common for friends and family members to contact a bail bond agent to help post bail. Bail bondsmen charge a fee for their services, which varies from state to state but typically is a percentage of the total bail amount. They can also require collateral in some cases.
If the defendant doesn’t appear in court when scheduled, the court will forfeit the bail money. If they have a bail bondsman, the bondsman will guarantee to pay the court the bail amount and then get their collateral back from the defendant. The defendant must agree to sign a contract with the bail bond agent, which can contain a clause limiting their travel until the case is closed.
Extradition
Most people will not be able to pay the full bail alone. This is where a bail bondsman can help. This person will fill out the necessary paperwork and agree to put up some form of collateral on behalf of the defendant. In return, they guarantee that the defendant will attend all their court dates.
The court may impose other conditions to keep the accused from running away. These can include restrictions on travel, curfews, and requiring drug, alcohol, or psychological testing. The fugitive will be able to contest extradition by filing a writ of habeas corpus.
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