How Do Bail Bonds Work?

Experiencing an arrest of yourself or a loved one can be stressful, confusing and scary. Many people do not understand bail bonds, how they work and how they can benefit from them.

What Are Bail Bonds?

A bail bond is a predetermined amount of money that a defendant agrees to pay the court. The bail amount is usually determined by a judge at a bail hearing. The amount depends on the crime committed and the likelihood of the person willingly returning for trial. Paying this fee guarantees that the defendant will attend all necessary hearings and pay any required fees. After paying bail, the defendant is free to await trial at home rather than being held until the date of their hearing.

How Do Bail Bonds Work?

The defendant can either pay their own bail or visit a local bail bondsman for assistance. A bail bondsman agrees to pay the court the entire bond if the defendant they are representing does not attend required hearings. The defendant pays the bond agent a percentage of their bail amount to procure their services. In some cases, the defendant may have to offer collateral to the bondsman to guarantee their cooperation with the court. Examples of collateral include vehicles, houses, stocks, jewelry or other valuable possessions. The value of collateral required depends on the amount of risk the bondsman assumes by agreeing to pay your bail.

If the defendant attends their hearings and pays all required fees, the bondsman will not have to pay the bail amount to the court. Similarly, if the defendant or a loved one pays the bail, the money will be returned at the end of the court proceedings as long as all requirements were met by the defendant.

Paying bail or signing an agreement with a bail bondsman will grant you or your loved one freedom while awaiting trial. As long as all hearings are attended and fees are paid, you will get the bail amount back from the court or the collateral back from the bond agent.