How to Access Bail Bonds
Bail is the amount of money or assets that you must leave with the court in order to go free after your court date has been set. Bail bonds are the legal agreement that you sign when you post bail, agreeing to return for your court date or forfeit the money you left. People can either leave the full amount of bail with the court or hire a bail agent for a nonrefundable fee who will post bail in your name.
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Instructions
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Courts
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Post bail yourself (called self-bail) using any cash or credit cards that you had with you when you were arrested. Tell the jailers that you want to post bail and have the resources with you and they will bring you the paperwork.
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Call a friend or family member to post bail in your name, either using resources of yours that were not with you when you were arrested or using their own cards or cash.
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Post bail by sending the friend or relative to the sheriff's office, police station or county clerk. The police will tell you where you can post bail, as most jurisdictions allow bail 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but usually have different daytime and nighttime procedures.
Bail Agent
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Call a bail agent from jail or call a friend or relative to hire one for you.
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Fill out the agent's paperwork. This should take less than a half hour, and you will have to report your available resources, your criminal record (if you have one) as well as your contact information and several references.
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Sign a pledge promising to return for your court date. In many states, the bail agent has the authority to come after you, temporarily arrest you and bring you to court if you do not show up on your own.
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Tips & Warnings
Talk with a lawyer about your options for bail. Different states have different policies, and you may be able to leave a refundable 10 percent directly with the court, leave a deed for property or even have your bail waived.
References
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