When you or a loved one find yourself in a challenging situation with the law, the last thing you want to do is spend night after night in a jail cell. Thankfully, through the bail system, you can have your loved one back home in no time.
“Bail” is a system in which the defendant pays a certain amount of money as “bail” and thereby promises to arrive for every date in exchange for their freedom. Bail is usually determined based on several factors, including the severity of the offense, criminal history, flight risk, and the risk the defendant poses to the community.
How much bail costs can vary depending on a number of factors and the severity of the crime.
Bail Bonds – What Are They?
Bail bonds are a system by which a company, the court, and an indemnitor make a financial agreement to ensure the defendant will make their appearance in court. The cosigner pays a premium (non-refundable fee) and offers up collateral (money, property, car, stock, bond, etc.) to the bondsmen. Once this agreement is paid and the correct documents are signed, the defendant is released from jail.
The bail bond fee is dependent upon the full bail amount. This amount is determined by Georgia regulations, surety companies, and the Department of Insurance and can vary from case to case. Your bond agent will assist you in determining the premium during the bail bond process.
Do You Get Your Money Back?
In the event that the defendant makes every court date until the end of the trial, whether the outcome is guilty or not guilty, the collateral will be returned. The premium, however, will not be repaid. It is taken as payment to assist in the early release of the defendant.
However, there are some instances in which the collateral will not be returned. These include such cases as:
- The defendant is arrested again for any crime
- The defendant breaches the conditions of their release
- The defendant fails to arrive for the required court appearances
In these events, the collateral will not be returned.
Why Choose Bail Bonds?
When it comes to choosing between paying the bail directly via cash bond or working with a bondsman, you may be unsure which one to pick. At first glance, the idea of directly paying may seem tempting. You won’t have to pay a premium and can get the full amount back at the end of the trial, assuming that the defendant does not breach the conditions of their release, face re-arrest, or miss a court appearance.
However, there are some incredibly good reasons why you might choose to work with a bondsman and pay the premium.
Experience
One of the worst parts of attempting to free your loved ones from jail is knowing all the steps that you have to go through and the paperwork you need to sign. Chances are high that this is your first experience working with the Georgia bail system. Isn’t it better to have an expert by your side?
A bondsman has the exact knowledge set you need. It’s their job to work with the Georgia bail system and offer advice and compassion for your circumstances.
Quicker Release
Due to a bond company’s experience with the bail system, a bond agent has formed a relationship with the court system that allows for a much smoother time working to have your loved one released.
Relying on a bond agency also means you won’t have to scramble to gather enough money to pay the full bond amount, as you can instead rely on the bond agency to provide the coverage while you work out a payment plan.
Alternative Payment Options
While cash bail requires you to pay the full amount with money, bonds allow for the use of alternative options to work as your collateral. For many people, this is a much more flexible option as it means you do not suddenly have to come up with $100,000 dollars in cash. Many bond agencies also offer a payment plan for the premium.
24/7 Bail Bonds Can Help Anytime
At 24/7 Bail Bonds, we’re here anytime to help you get your loved one out fast. We have over 15 years of experience helping people throughout 12 different counties when disaster strikes. Whether it is an average day or a holiday, we guarantee that we can help. The counties that 24/7 Bail Bonds services include Bulloch, Bryan, Candler, Emanuel, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, Montgomery, Rabun, Tattnal, Toombs, and Wheeler Counties.