How Do You Arrange for a Bail or Bond?
While many people use the terms "bail" and "bond" interchangeably, a distinct difference exists between the two. Bail refers to the amount the court sets, according to your criminal activity, frequency and number of previous incidents, as the amount you must pay to receive release from jail. Bond or "bail bond" refers to the money or collateral you offer to the court to leave jail until the time of your trial. If you arrive in court on your court date, you receive the bond money or items back. Bail and bond ensures that you show up for your court date but offers you the right to leave jail to get things in order for your trial.
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Instructions
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Wait patiently in the jail cell as the judge sets your bail amount. Arguing with officers, causing disturbance among other inmates and other criminal activities could result in larger bail amounts, so keep quiet and wait for your bail amount before asking to make a phone call. Once you hear your bail amount, call a trusted friend or family member and ask that they make your bail or seek the financial services of a bail bondsman.
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Speak with a bail bondsman or have a friend or relative speak on your behalf. The bondsman may need information directly from the jail or ask you for specific information regarding the reasons for the arrest. The bondsman may also ask about property you own that you or family members may offer as collateral to ensure that you show up for your court date. A bondsman reserves the right to refuse services to anyone, so you may have to speak with several bondsmen before one agrees to bail you out of jail.
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Offer any cash amounts or property as collateral for your bond. Some bondsmen may set you up on a payment schedule and use your credit card, debit card or bank account to ensure that you pay them for bailing you out of jail, should you decide to skip your court date. Additionally, a bondsman may send a bounty hunter to find you if you skip your court date or leave town.
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Seek release from jail after your bondsman pays your bail or vouches for you to the judge that you will show up for your court date. Once you receive your court date, do not miss it! Once you show up for your court date you receive the bail amount back, meaning you get back the collateral you offered for your bond. After trial, you may still owe the bondsman a fee for his services if you did not pay at the time you secured the bond. This fee usually amounts to 8 to 10 percent of the bail amount which you must pay upfront or through a payment plan after the trial.
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