How Does a Bail Agent Offer Assistance to Defendants?

Bail Bonds are designed to assure that defendants will appear in court for the criminal proceedings at the designated time and date. Consisting of written assurances signed by defendants, bail bonds indicate that a fixed sum must be paid to the court if the defendants fail to appear at their hearing dates.  Incapable of posting bail, numerous defendants necessitate the services of a bail agent.  By enlisting the services of a bail agent, defendants pay a nonrefundable fee of about 10 to 20 percent of the bail requirement, and the bail agent posts bail. 

Upon the payment of bail in the form of a bond, the defendant along with the bail agent agrees to return to court at the specified date.  A court clerk supplies a ticket to the defendant to document the payment of the bail, and the defendant is then released from custody.  If the defendant fails to appear in court at the given time specified to them by the court, a warrant will be issued for the arrest of the defendant for “jumping bail.” 

The United States has popularized the use of bail bondsmen.  Bail bondsmen are allowed by the law to force their defendants to appear in court in order to recover the money they have paid.  A bail bondsman may enlist the help of a bounty hunter to track down their defendants and bring them under the jurisdiction of the court.  Almost all jurisdictions require that a bondsman obtain a license to conduct business.  In addition, the bondman may even sue the defendant if the defendant fails to appear in court.

Four states in the United States have prohibited entirely the use of commercial bail bondsmen.  These states, in some instances, permit certain organizations to provide bail bond services for members of these organizations.  An example of such an organization might be the American Automobile Association (AAA) or various insurance organizations. 

There are several options presented to defendants in the forms of bonds upon their release.  Cash bonds, surety bonds, and property bonds are among the types of bonds that, when paid, warrant the release of the defendant and the assurance that the defendant will appear in court.  A cash bond is generally completely paid in cash.  A surety bond enlists the services of a bond agent, as previously indicated.  In a property bond situation, the defendant uses property of the corresponding value as security that they will appear in court.  If the defendant fails to show up, the foreclosure process is initiated on the property.  In many circumstances, surety bonds are utilized, and the assistance of a bond agent is required to handle bail situations.