Information To Help You Find A Bail Bondsman
There can be situations in life where a friend and family member may find themselves arrested. In this type of situation, you may be called upon to help your loved one get released from jail. For most criminal charges, a bail amount will be set, and when that amount is paid, the person who was arrested will be able to leave jail upon promising to appear in court. Unfortunately, bail amounts can vary, and in some cases the set amount can be more than a person can afford to pay in full. If you are in this position, a simple solution is to contact a bail bondman for assistance. Use the following tips to help you find a bail bondsman to assist in getting your loved one released from jail.
Ensure That the Bail Bondsman is Licensed
The bail bond industry is highly regulated and must follow a number of laws and rules. One of these rules is being properly licensed by the state where they are doing business. When you begin your search for a bail bondsman, always make sure that the company is licensed and that their license is currently valid. In the event that a bail bondsman is unable to provide proof of being licensed, take your business elsewhere.
Ask for Referrals
If you have never had to secure a bail bond before, you may be unsure about what bail bondsman to use. A good rule of thumb is to ask from referrals from people who are very familiar with bail bonds and the process of getting a person released from jail. You may want to consider asking the staff at the jail, or at the courthouse. If your loved one is planning to hire a criminal defense lawyer or has already done so, the lawyer can be a great resource in helping you.
Understand the Fees
When you use a bail bondsman, like those at Abel Bail Bonds, you will be responsible for paying a small percentage of the total bail amount, and the bail bondsman will provide the rest so your loved one can be released. Before you sign any type of contract, make sure that you know the exact percentage of the bail amount that the bail bondsman charges so you know how much the services cost. Try to avoid bail bondsman who charge a fee that is much higher or much lower than other licensed bail bondsman in the vicinity.