Getting arrested in McKinney usually means you want to find the quickest way out from behind bars and back at home. A bail bond is the best way to get back into the real world until your first hearing.
However, if it’s your first experience behind bars or with helping a loved one acquire a bail bond, there are several points you need to know before filling out an application with a Dallas bondsman.
1. What is a Bail Bond, and How Does it Work?
A bail bond is a financial agreement between a defendant and a bonding company. The bonding company agrees to post bail for the defendant in exchange for money or other collateral like private property that is equivalent to the cost of the bail..
Bail bonds allow people who do not have enough money to pay bail themselves to get out of jail. A bail bond is an agreement that means the defendant will appear in court and meet all check-ins or other requirements under the bail bond’s contract.
The bonding company must pay the full bail if the defendant fails to appear in court.
2. How Much a Bail Bond Costs
When someone is arrested, they will likely be eligible for bail unless they’ve committed a grievous crime.
Bail is a set amount of money that is paid to the court to ensure that the defendant appears for their trial.
A bail bond company will post the full amount of bail for the defendant in exchange for a fee, usually 10% of the total bail amount.
Fortunately, people buying a bail bond don’t have to put up all the cash at once for higher bail amounts. Many payment options are available for those who need to use a bail bond company, including credit cards, installment plans, and financing options.
3. Bail Bonds for Someone Arrested Out of State or Country
If you need to get a bail bond for someone who is incarcerated out of state or country, it’s possible, but there are a few things you need to know.
First, you should contact a bail bond company in your own area, not the area where the arrest occurred. Most bail bond companies steer clear of long-distance clients (they are a non-payment risk).
A local bondsman can help you make all bail arrangements and ensure your loved one gets back home before their preliminary hearing.
Certain documents will be needed to process the bond, including the defendant’s criminal history, fingerprints, and mugshot.
Finally, you will need to be able to pay the full amount of bail for the bond.
4. The Consequences of Not Paying Back a Bail Bond
If you don’t pay back a bail bond, the bonding company can take legal action against you.
After all, it isn’t in their business plan to forfeit the total bail amount to the courts.
The bonding company is responsible for paying the full bail if the defendant does not appear for their trial.
To protect themselves from losing money, most bonding companies have strict policies regarding repayment if the bond isn’t paid in full upfront.
If you do not repay the bail bond money after your loved one is released from jail or prison, the bonding company can take legal action against you. This could include filing a civil lawsuit or seeking a judgment against you in court.
Aside from legal action, the bond can be revoked, and you could end up back in jail.
5. Knowing if a Bail Bond is the Right Solution for the Situation
If you are unsure whether getting a bail bond is the right decision for you and your family members or friends, you can do a few things to make the best decision possible.
The first thing you should do is talk to a criminal defense lawyer to get more information about the legal process and what your options are.
You should also talk to friends or family members who have gone through the same situation and get their advice.
Finally, you should research different bonding companies and read reviews from past customers. This will help you find a Dallas bail bond company that you can trust and that has a good reputation.
6. Potential Risks Associated with Helping a Family Member Get a Bail Bond
There are risks associated with getting a bail bond, and it’s important to understand what they are before making any decisions.
When you purchase a bail bond for another person, you are taking on the risk that the defendant may not appear for their trial. If this happens, you will be responsible for paying back the bondman’s full bail amount.
Arrested in McKinney? 1st Call Bail Bonds can Help
If you or a loved one have recently been arrested, a bail bond can help you get home faster to work on your defense for your court date. 1st Call Bail Bonds is open 24/7 and can help you with bail at any cost.
Contact us today to start the bail bond application process.
