Do You Need To Post Bail For A Loved One?
If law enforcement arrested your loved one for a recent crime they committed, you may want to bail your loved one out of jail as soon as you possibly can. But if your loved one's bail is higher than you expect, they may need to remain in jail until their appointed court day. You may be able to post bail for your loved one with a bail bondsman's help. Learn how you can obtain a bail bondsman's help below.
Contact a Bail Bondsman Directly
Most bail bondsmen work directly with the law enforcement agencies in their states. The relationship allows bail bondsmen to obtain information on people who may need their services in the immediate future. However, it can be difficult for some incarcerated individuals to obtain the services of bondsmen. In this case, the individuals' family members and friends can contact a bonds person on their behalf.
If possible, ask law enforcement for the contact numbers of bondsmen in your city. Law enforcement may be able to provide the information to you. If law enforcement doesn't have the contact information of bail bondsmen in your city, take your search online.
After you find a bail bondsman for your loved one, schedule an appointment to meet with them.
Find Your Collateral
During your appointment, a bail bondsman may ask you to submit a small upfront payment for your loved one's bail. Your loved one's bail amount may determine the fee you pay upfront for them. However, most bail bondsmen charge anywhere from 8 to 10 percent of the bail amount for their upfront fees.
If you can't pay the upfront fee amount right away, a bondsman may accept collateral in exchange for the fees. The collateral needed to bail your loved one out of jail may depend on the bail person's requirements. For example, a bail person may only accept credit card payments as upfront payments for bail. Another bail bondsman may only accept car or truck titles as upfront payments. However, the vehicle must contain some type of worth before a bondsman accepts it as collateral.
After you obtain the collateral for your loved one's bail, law enforcement may release them into your custody. Your loved one must show up to their court-appointed hearing date on time. If your loved one doesn't come to their court date on time, you may forfeit your collateral.
Contact a company like Albert Ramirez Bail Bonds to learn more.