How Does A Bail Bond Work?

Getting arrested can happen for a wide variety of reasons. One reason that a person may be arrested for is a traffic violation such as a DUI. Other reasons that a person may be arrested are drug offenses, theft, burglary and more. When a person gets arrested the police officer must escort him or her to the police station for booking.

Booking

Booking is a process by which the officer enters data about an individual into a computer system. During that time, they would take fingerprints and record the crime of which the accused person is being accused. Next, one of the officers would speak to a judge about a possible bail amount. Bail is an amount of money that a person has to pay to get out of jail until the court date. The judge will usually order the person to pay bail for one of several reasons.

Bail Judgment

One reason that a judge would order bail is if the crime is severe. An embezzlement defendant would most likely have to pay bail, for example. Another reason that a judge may consider asking for bail is a history of crime. A person who has a criminal record may have to pay a bail. A judge will most definitely ask for bail from a person who has skipped bail in the past. The defendant must pay the bail amount before the police officers will let him or her go.

Call a Bail Bondsman

Jails usually give a person the opportunity to make one phone call to family members or friends. The person can request assistance from loved ones or from a bail bond provider. A bail bond company is a company that does a service to defendants by paying their bail so that they can get out of jail. The bail bond company helps the defendant to get free so that he or she can go to work or spend time with family and friends.

Bail Bonds Process

The process of receiving help from a bail bond company starts with a phone call to the company. The company will want to know where the defendant is staying in jail. A bondsman will want to know the crime that the defendant committed, as well. The intake specialist will want to know some information about the person who is requesting assistance. That person will determine whether the applicant qualifies for help with the bail bond. The applicant will have to sign papers stating that he or she will repay the bail bond and that the defendant will show up for court.

Jumping Bail or Missing a Court Date

Many negative things will happen if the defendant does not show up in court. For one, the judge will charge that person for contempt of court and put a warrant out for his or her arrest. Secondly, the bail bond company may hire someone to find the defendant. Thirdly, a judge may add another charge to the defendant’s record. The charge that may be added to the record is bail jumping.

If all is well, and the defendant shows up for court, the bail bond company will receive its investment back within 30 days. The bail bond company will also release any collateral that the defendant offered to secure the bail bond.

John Keefe is an avid blogger and professional bail bondsman in Oklahoma City, OK. John is passionate about sharing information online through his blogs, on youtube, and provides bail bonds services in OKC to his local community while working with C&K OKC Bail Bonds.