Did you know that getting a bail bond is the best way to give yourself or a loved one a fighting chance when it comes to the charges? Only 40 percent of people that post bail ends up pleading guilty to the charges pressed against them.
Hiring a bail bond agent is a great approach to take, but there are some common myths within the prison industry that surround getting a bail bond. Bail bonds are a safe way to help your loved one get out of jail while they wait for their hearing in court to begin.
It is easy to let the myths about bail bonds get to you, but there is good news. You’ve come to the right place to learn more about these myths as well as the truth behind them. Continue reading to learn more.
What Is a Bail Bond?
A bail bond is an agreement that a defendant makes with the court where they promise to appear before the court for trial and are released from jail after paying a large amount of money.
The bail bondsman cosigns the bail bond and is responsible for ensuring that the defendant obeys the rules put in place by the court and shows up for their court hearings. It is a type of surety bond.
There are two different types of bail bonds. One is a criminal bail bond and it is used for releasing the defendant in prison under the condition that they show up for their hearings and don’t try to flee the country. It also guarantees that the defendant pays all of the fines or fees decided against the accused person.
The other type of bail bond is a civil bail bond and it is used to guarantee the payment of debt and any other costs assessed against the accused person.
Myths About Bail Bonds
There are many myths that surround bail bonds and bail bondsmen that you need to be aware of when your loved one is accused of a crime. Knowing these myths and the actual truth behind them will help you decide if hiring a bail bondsman like those at Bail 2 Go is the right move for you and your loved one.
Here is a closer look at the common myths you’re bound to encounter when it comes to getting a bail bond.
Bail Bondsmen Are Unprofessional
There is an unfortunate negative stigma attached to bail bondsmen that they’re unprofessional and unscrupulous. This is a far cry from the truth of the situation. Most states have strict regulations that bail bondsmen need to abide by.
Additionally, in order to be a bail bondsman, you’ll need to undergo a background check and complete the required job training in order to receive the license you need to do your new job. There are a lot of things that your bail bondsman needs to do to be in a position to help you or your loved one.
Everyone Qualifies For Bail
While a lot of people will qualify for bail after getting accused of a crime, it isn’t true for every person or every situation. If you have a severe criminal history then the odds are stacked against you for qualifying for bail.
It is also difficult to qualify for bail if the crime you’re accused of is a severe crime. You might need to meet certain qualifications prior to the court allows you to pay bail and get released from jail.
You Need To Pay The Whole Bail Amount
One of the great benefits of hiring a bail bondsman is that it will help you get your loved one out of prison if the bail is set at a price higher than you’re able to afford.
When you decide to pursue the bail bond option, you’ll pay a predetermined amount of money to the bail bondsman. From there, the bail bond company or service pays the full amount the court needs in order to release your loved one from jail. More times than not, you won’t need to pay the entire amount of the bail set by the court.
You Need Cash To Pay Bail
Another big myth surrounding the bail bond is that you need to have cash in order to pay bail. This couldn’t be further from the truth. If you don’t have the capital to get your loved one released from jail then you have the option of using collateral with the bail bond company.
Using collateral involves the bail bond company taking an asset of yours like a car or a motorcycle or even land as a guarantee that your loved one will follow the court’s rules of their release. It is important to remember that every bail bond service has different rules, but the majority of bail bond services will accept assets as collateral in order to pay bail.
The Bail Bond and Bail Are The Same Amounts
There is a big misconception when it comes to bail bonds and bail. When you decide to get your loved one in jail released by paying bail through a bail bonds service you’ll need to pay a certain amount of money. This money is usually a percentage of what bail gets set at.
You won’t need to pay the full amount of what bail gets set at since that is the bail bond agency’s job. They’ll take the money you pay them and post the full bail amount. From there, your loved one needs to follow the rules set up by the court and show up for their hearings.
As long as your loved one does everything the court orders them to, you’ll only be stuck with paying the initial fee to the bail bond agency. The court will return all of the money that the bail bondsman put up in order to get your loved one out of prison and the payment you made to the agency is their profit for helping.
You’re Better Off Getting Started Serving Your Time
There are also myths about bail bonds that you’re better off getting a head start on serving your sentence in jail. There is no guarantee that you’ll get convicted but even if you do, posting bail gives you a chance to spend quality time with your family and those you love.
It is also a chance to continue working and providing money for your loved ones. You’ll also have more time to put your affairs in order in the event that you do get convicted of the crimes charged against you. Hiring a bail bondsman to help get your loved one out has a ton of benefits that outweigh getting started on serving your sentence.
Bail Bondsmen Negotiate For You
While some bail amounts are negotiable, your bail bondsman isn’t going to negotiate your bail for you. It is entirely up to you to ask the court if they’re able to lower your bail amount. Courts tend to have a set amount that they place bail at for each type of offense.
If your circumstances are such that you’re not capable of paying the bail for your offenses then it’s possible that the court will lower your bail amount to make it more accessible for you. Just remember that a bail bondsman isn’t going to negotiate your bail. All they’ll do is help you to pay the necessary amount.
You’re Free To Do What You Want After Paying Bail
While posting bail is a good way to get out of jail during the period leading up to your court hearings, it doesn’t mean that you’re allowed to do whatever you want. There are certain stipulations that the court puts in place when they agree to let you out of prison.
First, they’ll want you to attend each and every one of your court days and stay in touch with the courts throughout the process. Some judges will even put restrictions on your release depending on what the charges are against you. A good example of restrictions you’ll encounter are restrictions on traveling outside of the state or the country.
You’ll also have restrictions about committing future crimes or going to places like bars and clubs. It is also possible that you’ll see restrictions on being around certain people or spending time in certain places until the conclusion of your court hearings. If you fail to follow these rules and regulations then you’ll get stuck paying additional fines and find yourself back in prison.
Get a Bail Bond for Your Loved One Today
Getting a bail bond is a great way to ensure that your loved one is released from jail and can prepare for their upcoming trial from the comfort of their home. It allows them to get their affairs in order while also spending quality time with their family and loved ones.
There are many unfortunate myths that come with hiring a bail bondsman to help with getting your loved one released, but knowing the truth about these myths will help you decide if getting a bail bondsman is the right move for you.
For more helpful and informative articles, be sure to check out more of our website today
