| All the obvious technological marvels aside, one of the | | | | The worse the crime, the less likely the judge will be to |
| greatest inventions for some individuals has been a bail | | | | do this type of bail bond. He or she does not want the |
| bond. It is hard to imagine but once upon a time these | | | | person to flee if the defendant thinks that he or she |
| did not exist. | | | | will be found guilty. |
| If you were arrested, then you sat in jail until the judge | | | | Bail bond agents act as a surety. They are a third |
| sentenced you. Bail bonds are for the benefit of the | | | | person that agrees to be responsible. The usual |
| people that have been arrested but cannot afford to | | | | arrangement is that the bail agency puts up a certain |
| sit in jail until the trial occurs. | | | | amount of money towards the total bond. |
| Bail bond agents work on a pretty simple premise. A | | | | This is usually ten percent. Unlike posting a cash bond |
| bail bond is a guarantee that you will show up to court. | | | | yourself, you will not get this ten percent back |
| It works like this: the person is arrested, the judge | | | | because it is the fee that the agency charges for |
| decides what the bail will be and bail bond agents then | | | | getting you out of jail and putting up the guarantee that |
| pay a percentage to the court to allow the defendant | | | | you will show for the trail or sentencing. If you put up a |
| to leave. | | | | cash bond, then you will get the money back once you |
| The bail agency is guaranteeing that the person will | | | | show up at court, minus the fees of course. |
| show up to court. If that does not happen, then trouble | | | | If you find yourself in need of bail bonds, either for |
| starts because they want to get their money back. If | | | | yourself, a family member or a friend, then they work |
| the defendant does not show up for the court | | | | in the favor of the defendant. It allows them to get |
| appearance, then the money placed for bail is forfeited. | | | | back to their lives while waiting for a backed-up court |
| Bail bonds are not always used. There are times when | | | | system to get to their case. |
| the judge will release a defendant on his own | | | | This freedom is greatly appreciated when it comes to |
| recognizance. That means he will trust the person to | | | | work and family life. There is no point sitting in a jail cell |
| show up to court and not flee before the court date. | | | | when you could be safely back at home. |