Few things are as startling or, if you\’ve never done it before, as confusing as the request from someone to post bail. Although you\’ll be tempted to ask for details, ask only what you need to know, such as his location and the amount of the bail; time is of the essence when someone has been arrested and doesn\’t want to spend time in jail.

Clearly, the first thing to ask is the amount of money that is necessary. Most jails have standard amounts that have been set by judges for common crimes. This figure is not negotiable. You\’ll want to speak to the booking officer and find out if the judge has demanded cash. If the answer is \”yes\”, you will need to produce actual money. Personal checks are rarely accepted. Some states accept debit or credit cards, but the process involves a third party and is somewhat complicated. If cash is required, stopping at an ATM is probably the easiest thing to do. Once the cash is turned over to the booking officer, the arrestee will be released to your custody. By posting bail, you are responsible for seeing to it that the defendant shows up for the trial, after which your money (minus some administrative charges) will be given back to you.

On the other hand, if bail is set at an amount beyond your means, you will need the services of a bail bondsman. The booking officer may be able to suggest bail bond companies in your area, or you can simply look in the local phone book for a convenient office. Once there, be prepared to answer a fairly lengthy list of questions and to part with some cash.

The usual non-refundable fee bail bond companies charge is at least 10 percent. For example, if bail is set at $5,000, you will need $500 in cash to obtain it. They will ask about your relationship to the defendant, what you know about his or her background, employment, living arrangements, and any other information about him or her that you may possess. Additionally, they will get a report from the police on the details of the arrest. If the bondsman thinks that the defendant might not show up for trial based on what they learn, they may ask for additional collateral from you. What this amounts to is that you may be asked to back the loan with property worth the full amount of the bail in addition to the ten percent fee. In other words, you may be putting your house, your car and any other property you value at risk.

Given these circumstances, it\’s clearly a better idea to pay the money yourself if you can afford it rather than to use a bail bond company. No matter which you choose, it\’s important to recognize that the process will be expensive. Even a best case scenario court case is costly. After paying lawyers and court costs, the person you bailed out is likely going to be in debt. You\’ll be just one more person he or she owes money to. Thus, think twice about posting bail for anyone unless you\’re in a financial position to shell out a substantial amount of cash for an indefinite period of time.

In Miami, Florida, if you\’re looking for an experienced bail bondsman, call on Blandon Bail Bonds. Family owned, they offer the lowest legal rates, and have bilingual agents available 24/7. This article powered by SEO 2.0 Services

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