Need To Call A Bail Bondsman? 5 Pieces Of Information You Need To Know

If a loved one has been arrested, the bond will need to be paid to get out of jail. When it comes to paying bonds, most people turn to a bond dealer who will help pay off your bond in return for you putting up collateral and paying them a small fee. If you need to call one, there is some information you need to gather and know before making the call.

1. Personal Information

First, you are going to need the full personal information of the defendant. This includes their full legal name as well as their current address and phone number. This will help the agent find your friend in jail and will help them complete the paperwork needed to be released.

2. Previous Record

Second, you need to know if your loved one has any previous criminal records. Prior criminal records will impact if the agency is willing to work with your friend. For example, if your friend previously was out on bail and respected all the bail conditions, they have a better chance of getting help again. If they violated terms of bail before, you will have a more challenging time finding an agency that will want to take a risk on them.

3. Jail Location

Next, you need to know where they are being held. In a small town with only one jail, this may be easy to figure out. In a larger town, though, it can be more complicated to figure out where they are being held. You are going to need to figure out exactly where they are located, including the address. The more information you can give to the agent, the easier it will be for them to get your friend out of jail.

4. Payment Method

Understandably, a bail bond isn't free. You will have to pay a fee, which is usually equal to a small percentage of the overall bail amount. This fee is non-refundable and is generally how you pay the bail bondsman for their services. In many states, exactly what you can be charged is set by state law. Some agencies will require you to pay the full fee upfront, and others will allow you to make payments on the fee while moving forward with getting your loved one released.

5. Collateral

Last, you are going to need to provide collateral for the full bail amount. The bail bondsman will collect the collateral as reimbursement for the bail amount if your friend violates the terms of their bail and it is revoked. Collateral could be a line of credit at a bank or on a credit card, or it could be the title to a car, house, or something else that you own. Knowing what you will use for collateral will speed up the process.

When it comes to calling up a bail bond agency, you are going to want to know your friend or family member's full name and contact information, where they are being held, and their previous record. You also need to know how you will pay the agent's fee and what you can use as collateral. Knowing all this will help speed up the process of releasing your friend or family member. Contact a bail bondsman to learn more.