| Being arrested can be a traumatic experience, and the | | | | defendants are not viewed as a flight risk, some |
| first thing to cross most minds is how to get out. The | | | | judges will not set bail bonds amounts. Instead, they will |
| only way to be released from jail after being arrested | | | | allow the defendants to be released on their "own |
| is to meet the conditions of bail bonds, set by a judge, | | | | recognizance", or the promise they will return for their |
| which usually includes a set amount of money. Bail | | | | trials. If the defendants break that agreement, and fail |
| bonds are set in amounts according to the crime and | | | | to show up at all scheduled court hearings, they can |
| flight risk of the defendant. They are set to ensure the | | | | be rearrested, and face additional charges. |
| defendant will return to court as ordered. The following | | | | Hire a Bail Bondsmen |
| paragraphs will discuss the different ways of meeting | | | | By hiring a bail bondsmen, the bail bondsmen will handle |
| the conditions of bail bonds. | | | | everything it takes to get you out of jail. If you pay |
| Paying the Entire Bail Bond Amount | | | | them an agreed upon fee, usually around 10 percent of |
| One option of meeting the conditions of bail bonds is to | | | | the amount of the bail bonds, you will be released from |
| pay the entire amount ordered by a judge. If you can | | | | jail with the bonding company serving as surety to |
| afford this option, it is best. By paying the complete | | | | insure you will appear in court as you are ordered to. If |
| amount of bail bonds, not only a you assuring the court | | | | you fail to appear at all scheduled court hearings, it is |
| you will return, but you will also get the entire amount | | | | very likely that you bail bondsmen will enlist the help of |
| back at the conclusion of your case. There are no | | | | a bounty hunter to help track you down and bring you |
| fees, but you must reappear in court, as ordered. If | | | | to court in order to prevent the bail bonds amount to |
| you fail to reappear at all scheduled hearings, the | | | | be forfeited. The fee you pay the bail bondsmen is not |
| amount of your bail bonds could be forfeited. | | | | returned when your case is concluded, it is for the bail |
| Your Own Recognizance | | | | bondsmen to keep for services rendered to you. |
| For crimes that are non-violent, and where the | | | | |