When you get the call that your relative, friend, or partner is arrested, or when you are arrested, how do you know what to do next? Not a lot of people know much about bail bonds mainly because not everyone expects themselves or their loved one to get arrested (at least those who are not deliberately committing crime).
If suddenly find yourself or your loved one in jail, here are the common questions that you may have, and the answers you’ll need:
1. How does a bail bond work?
If you are arrested and the judge sets the bail to an amount that you can’t pay on your own, you can seek help from a bail bondsman to help you pay bail. There are conditions that go with a bail bond, such as full compliance of legal responsibilities or refraining from traveling, to name a few, and you have to pay 10% of the bail amount.
When these conditions are not met, the bail bondsman takes the collateral and may have the friends and family members pay the bail. When all of the conditions are met, the collateral is returned to the principal but the 10% payment is kept by the bail bondsman.
2. What are the requirements for a bail bond?
Before you look for a bail bonds company in Salt Lake County, for example, these are the requirements that you need:
- Form of identification approved by the state
- Money order for the amount required by the jail or holding facility
- At least 10% of the total bail amount
- Personal information
- Proof of income and employment
If it’s a loved one that is arrested, these are the pieces of information you should know first:
- Name of the jail where they are being held in
- Location of the jail
- Full name of the arrestee
- Booking number of the arrestee
- Total amount of bail
3. How much money do I need for a bail bond?
The amount of money you need for bail depends on the crime and the number set by the judge. Apart from the bail itself, there are other legal charges that you are required to pay, as well as other small service charges.
You are also required to put at least 10% of the total bail to get a bond. For example, if your bail is $20,000 and you don’t violate any legal conditions, your cash-out will be $2,000. However, if you don’t comply with the legal requirements set upon you, you could lose your collateral and end up paying full bail.
4. What do I need to do after posting bail?
After you get out of jail through a bail bond, it’s important that you adhere to all legal requirements, such as:
- Attending your court dates
- Paying necessary legal and service fees
- Reporting to law enforcement, the bail bond company, and court officials
- Avoiding doing any other illegal acts
Getting arrested is a stressful experience for just about anybody. So, if you or a loved one gets arrested, these are the necessary pieces of information that should help you post bail and gain temporary freedom as soon as possible.