Bail is meant to be expensive as a guarantee to the court that you (the defendant) will appear for the required court dates. This doesn’t make it challenging for many people to post, though. If you can’t afford to pay the bail in full to be out of jail prior to your trial, you might consider applying for a bail bond instead. Here are a few things you can expect when you apply for a bond.
- Paperwork: The bond application primarily consists of paperwork from your choice of bail bond agency. You will need to fill out information, such as your full legal name, your home address, booking information, charges, bail amount, and more.
- Purchase the bond: After you apply for a bond, you will need to purchase the bond. Your bail bond agency may offer a payment plan or arrangement depending on your specific needs. Typically, the required amount due for the bond is only a percentage of your full bail. The bail bond agency pays the full bail in your place.
- Offer the required collateral: Many bail bond agencies will require collateral in the form of personal assets to ensure you actually appear in court on your court dates. This collateral will be returned upon the receipt of your payment due for the bail bond, as well as confirmation of your attendance in court.
- Free to go: Once you apply for a bond, make the necessary payment arrangements, and secure your bond, your bail is paid, and you are free to go home. You can prepare for your court date in the comfort of your home rather than staying in jail longer until your court date arrives.
We work to make a stressful situation easier by helping defendants post bail. Contact us to learn more about the process or to apply for a bail bond.