After an arrest, the court may grant you release on the condition that you pay a bail amount it decides on based on your crime. Should you take the chance, you enter into a bail bond agreement with the court. Under this agreement, you pay your full bail, which is refundable after your case conclusion. Here is how bail bonds affect you:
Financial Implications
Bail bonds impose a financial obligation on the defendant who must clear their bail to secure their release from jail. Judges decide on the bail amount based on the severity of the charges, your criminal history, and community ties. Severe charges such as violent crimes fetch a higher bail. The judge may also set a high bail if there is strong evidence against you. This is because it indicates an incentive to flee.
If you are unable to clear your bail yourself, you may seek the services of a bail bondsman who posts bail on your behalf. Bail bond agencies charge a non-refundable fee, usually a percentage of your full bail, for their services. You must clear this fee before the bail bond agency can pay your bail. You must repay the bail bondsman the full bail amount if you forfeit bail by failing to appear for court hearings.
Legal Obligations
Once you enter into a bail bond agreement, you are legally obliged to follow the court’s conditions for your release. The court requires defendants released on bail to attend all scheduled hearings for their case. The court may set additional requirements like compulsory supervision, electronic monitoring using an ankle GPS, and compulsory mental health evaluation and treatment. If you pose a high flight risk, the court may order you to surrender your passport and prohibit traveling outside the state. Courts often order minors out on bail to attend school, and adults to maintain gainful employment. Failure to meet court requirements may result in fines, re-arrests, and forfeiture of your bail amount.
Collateral Requirements
Some bail bond companies require individuals to provide collateral to secure the bond. This requirement mitigates the risk to the bail bond company in case you fail to appear in court as required. You can only pledge properties you fully own as bail bond collateral. The collateral you pledge must also not have a lien on it. That means you must not have pledged it elsewhere as collateral, such as for a loan. Collateral can take various forms, such as real estate, vehicles, or other valuable assets worth your full bail amount or more. You risk losing any assets you offer as collateral for a bail bond should you fail to fulfill your obligations to the court.
Get Bail Bonds Today
Bonds can have a significant impact on your assets and finances. You also have legal obligations to fulfill when you enter into a bail bond agreement. Understanding your obligations when entering into a bail bond agreement helps you to avoid the negative implications of non-compliance. Consider seeking the services of a bail bondsman if you cannot clear your bail yourself. Your bail bondsman can guide you through the bail process, helping you comply with court requirements.
