Have you ever received a call from a loved one telling you they’ve been arrested and need help posting bail? If so, you’re not alone. Every day, thousands of people are arrested and taken to jail in the United States.
Most of these people are eligible for bail, which means they can be released from custody until their court date by paying a bail bond company a fee (usually 10% of the bail amount).
If you’re thinking about posting bail for a loved one, there are a few things you should know first. Here are 10 things to keep in mind before posting bail for a loved one:
- Bail is not always available. In some cases, bail bonds in Utah or elsewhere may not be an option if the judge believes the defendant is a flight risk or a danger to the community. The bail amount may also be set very high, making it difficult to come up with the necessary funds.
- You will need to pay a bail bond company a fee. As mentioned above, bail bond companies typically charge a fee of 10% of the bail amount. This fee is non-refundable, even if the case is dismissed or the defendant is found not guilty. The bail bond company will also require collateral, which can be in the form of property or cash.
- You are responsible for making sure the defendant appears in court. Once bail is posted, the defendant is released from custody and given a court date. It is your responsibility to make sure the defendant appears in court on the specified date. If the defendant fails to appear, you may be liable for the bail amount.
- You may have to wait for a bail hearing. A bail hearing is a court proceeding where the judge will decide whether or not bail should be granted and, if so, how much bail should be set. In some cases, you may have to wait for a bail hearing before bail can be posted. This can take a few days or even weeks.
- You may be asked to sign a bail bond contract. Before posting bail, you will be required to sign a bail bond contract. This contract outlines your responsibilities as the cosigner of the bail bond. Be sure to read the contract carefully before signing it.
- You may be required to pay bail in cash. In some cases, the bail bond company may require you to pay bail in cash. Cash is usually only accepted if the bail amount is $5,000 or less. If the bail amount is more than $5,000, you will likely need to use collateral.
- You may need to provide collateral. As mentioned above, bail bond companies usually require collateral to post bail. This collateral can be in the form of property or cash. If you don’t have any collateral, you may still be able to post bail by getting a cosigner.
- You may need to get a cosigner. If you don’t have any collateral, you may still be able to post bail by getting a cosigner. A cosigner is someone who agrees to pay the bail bond company if you fail to do so. The cosigner must have good credit and be able to afford the bail bond fee.
- You may be required to undergo a background check. In some cases, the bail bond company may require you to undergo a background check. This is usually done to ensure that you are not a flight risk or a danger to the community.
- You may be required to pay bail in installments. In some cases, the bail bond company may require you to pay bail in installments. This means you will need to make regular payments until the bail amount is paid in full.
Keep these things in mind before posting bail for a loved one. If you have any questions, be sure to ask a bail bond company for more information.
Have you ever posted bail for a loved one? If so, what was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.
