It is not uncommon for someone to have no knowledge of how bail bonds work until they or a loved one is arrested. Because of this lack of understanding, there are a lot of questions about bail, the bonding process, and how to actually contact a bail bondsman. Below are the most frequently asked questions about bail bonds, and the answers. What Should I Know Before I Contact A Bail Agent? There is specific information that a bail agent will require in order to be of service, so it’s important to have the answers to these questions: Where is the person in custody? – You will need to ask the person in question where they are located. This must include the city, state, and name of the jail. What is the full name and booking number of the person in custody? – This is important information the bail agent will need in order to contact the jail. The booking number can be obtained by the bail agent if you forgot it or it wasn’t available. How much is the bail? – The bail agent will receive this information when they contact the jail if you have not obtained it already. With this information, the bail bondsman can tell you the amount it will cost you to post a bond as well as the requirements of getting the person out of jail. How Do I Get A Bail Bond? There are four ways a person can be released from custody: You use a bondsman. You post cash for the full amount of the bond with either the court or jail. You use real property (like a lot or a home) with court. The judge can decide to allow the defendant to return home on their own recognizance. Do I Get My Money Back After The Case Is Over? There are a couple of exceptions to this, but you won’t get your premium back that you gave to the bonding office. This fee is what got the defendant out of jail and is fully earned as soon as the defendant is out of custody. So if the defendant get arrested again a week later, you will not receive any portion or refund. If the bondsman fails to uphold his end of the contract, only then will you be entitled to a refund of some sort. Can The Defendant Leave The State Or The Country While On Bond? You will need to obtain permission from the bonding office in writing in order to do so. If the court has given direct instructions not to leave the state or country, you will need to get permission from both the bail agent and the court before attempting to leave. If you don’t you are subject to arrest. Are Some Bondsmen Less Expensive Than Others? The general cost in your area is going to depend on the locale’s statuses and regulations. Florida bail bonds can be much different from another state’s. Bonding agents are typically licensed and regulated by the state. This means that the premium rates are not to be “excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory.” What Do Bondsmen Accept As Collateral? Each bonding office is going to have their own standards, however you can typically expect them to accept the following forms of bail collateral: Real Estate Vehicles Credit Cards Stocks Bonds Jewelry Personal Credit Bank Accounts If you or a loved one need a Florida bail bond, don’t hesitate and contact us today!

Why Choosing a Bail Bondsman is a Good Idea

Nobody necessarily plans to end up in jail someday, but it can happen due to unfortunate or unexpected circumstances. If you do end up in jail, it’s likely you’ve heard of a bail bondsman and want to know whether that’s truly the direction you should go in this process. There are numerous reasons to use a bail bondsman if you find yourself in jail with the offer of bail. Here are five reasons hiring a bail bondsman is a good idea:

1.) Financial Leverage Bail bondsman are professionals when it comes to paying bail. They will typically pay your court a blanket bond, and leave 10-15 percent of the total bail to you depending on the charge.

2.) Reduces the Time You’re Held in Jail Hiring a bail bondsman can help you get out of jail within just 24 hours. Jail is obviously not a comfortable place to be, and you will want to get out as soon as you can. Having one of these agents will help you cut down your time in jail.

3.) Knows a Lot About Incarceration and Criminal Law Bail bondsmen are the top professionals to turn to when you are seeking the best way out of your predicament. They have a lot of legal knowledge that will help you understand your rights and limitations. They can negotiate much faster since they and the court have security agreements, getting you out quickly and smoothly.

4.) Assistance if You Were Wrongfully Arrested Having one of these agents can help you significantly if you were arrested for a crime you didn’t commit but have been charged for. They can lend a lot of advice on how to get out without a ton of complications along the way.

5.) Will Pay for You The bail bondsman is going to cover your bail, saving you the shame or embarrassment of needing to go to family or friends for financial assistance. Studies show the the majority of stress individuals feel in these situations stems from trying to find the funds to help pay someone’s bail. Especially when that bail is a huge amount. Something like $25 is not usually an issue. But finding $200,000 in a timely fashion can be a much harder task that most people can’t do.

These are the top reasons why hiring a bail bondsman is a good idea. The legal advice, experience, and financial assistance can be exactly what you and your family need to work through this. If you are looking for a bail bondsman in Tampa, Florida, contact us today!