Apr 07, 2021

Everything You Need to Know Before Applying for a Bail Bond

When you get that call from a loved one that they have been arrested in Dallas, your first instinct is most likely to get them out of jail as soon as possible.

Bail bonds are a simple and affordable way to get your loved one back home until their court hearing. However, if this is your first time working with a Dallas bondsman, there are quite a few things you’ll need to know before you call into the 1st Call Bail Bonds office.

Who Got Arrested?

This part is simple. We will need the full name of the person who was arrested. This allows us to start preliminary records searches, potential past bail bond issues they may have had, and get the bail bond application process started.

What is Person in Jail For?

This is the second most important piece of information you will need to provide to your bail bond agent. Most charges in Texas are eligible for the use of a bail bond. However, capital crimes like murder, sexual assault against a child, or terrorism fall under the category of unbailable offenses.

As long as we have as accurate information as possible, and their arrest wasn’t for anything capital, we can quickly determine the possible bail amount and process your application faster.

Booking Information

Two other pieces of information you’ll need to know about your loved one’s arrest are their booking number and where they are being held. This information is necessary because it provides us the opportunity to reach out to the courts, find out more about their bail, and get your loved one home to you faster.

Bail Bonds are Loans

Bail bonds aren’t a one-and-done situation. They are essentially a loan and investment in your loved one’s loyalty to their word and bail bonds are required to be paid back.

When you get a bail bond through a Dallas bail bond company, your bondsman takes your ten percent and then uses their money to get your loved one out of jail. The ten percent is non-refundable.

However, as long as the offender stays true to the bail bond regulations and attends all court dates, the courts will return the bail amount to the bond company.

Bail Bonds are Regulated

When you know that you have to get a bail bond in Dallas, don’t worry about shopping around for the best rates. Bail bonds are a regulated business. This means that you’ll find that ten percent fee anywhere that you go for a bail bond.

Keep in mind that while the cost of a bail bond is pretty even amongst the playing field, you’ll still want a bail bond company that is knowledgeable about local courts and how to efficiently get your loved one home, fast. Not every bail bond company has the experience we do, so make sure that the professionals at 1st Call Bail Bonds are your first choice.

Understand Your Responsibilities as a Co-Signer

While you may only pay 10 percent of the bail amount to our lenders, your duties to our bail bond company don’t end until your loved one appears at their final court date.

As a co-signer, you are responsible for the behavior and court attendance of the offender. If they step out of line or fail to attend any amount of court hearings, the bail is revoked and you are on the line for not paying back the full amount to the bail bond company.

Bail Out Your Loved One with 1st Call Bail Bonds

If you or a loved one end up in a legal bind and need to get bailed out of jail, let the experts at 1st Call Bail Bonds help. We are open 24/7 and can help out with any bail amount. Contact us today to get the bail bond process started.