When someone is arrested, that doesn’t necessarily mean they must remain in jail while awaiting their day in court. Rather, a judge will typicallyset bail, and if the defendant can come up with the funds to post bail, he or she can await the designated court date outside the walls of the jail. Sounds pretty simple, right? But that’s not always the case.
Posting bail can be complicated, and the stress and financial obligations surrounding the process don’t make it any easier. If you find yourself stressed and confused, wondering how to go about posting bail, the experts at A Right Choice Bail Bonds has outlined key pieces of information you must know before contacting a bail agent.
Must-Have Information to Expedite the Bail Process
Before you contact a bail agent, you’ll need to have several details about the defendant you plan to post bail for, as well as know the jail in which the person is incarcerated. The bail agent must have these details to provide you with the most suitable bail option to meet your needs and process the required paperwork efficiently. Here are the details you’ll need to have on hand:
- The defendant’s full name. You’ll need to know the full name of the accused, as well as its proper spelling. The bail agent may also require a birth date, so be sure to ask for that too.
- The location of the jail. Ask for the name, city, and state of the jail in which the defendant is being held.
- The defendant’s booking number. Each inmate is assigned a unique booking number when they are processed into the jail. You can contact the jail to acquire this information.
- The bail amount set by the judge. You’ll need to know how much money the court has requested to temporarily release the defendant. Your bail agent will need to know this number to provide you with the best bail option to meet your needs. You can contact the jail directly to request this information.
Beyond the defendant’s personal details and information about the jail, there are a few otherthings to know that can help make the bail process less stressful and confusing. Take a look below for more information.
Bail Bond Fees Are Non-Refundable
When you work with a bail bond agent, you’ll pay a non-refundable fee for their services. Typically, bail agent fees are 10% to 20% of the total amount of the defendant’s bail, so you’ll need to make sure you’re financially capable of paying those fees. Even after the defendant goes to court, regardless of the outcome, the bail agent will retain the full amount of the service fee you paid.
You’ll Need to Sign an Indemnity Agreement
To post bail using a bail agent, you’re required to sign an indemnity agreement. This agreement releases the bail agent from responsibility for any financial or property losses you may incur. If the defendant fails to appear in court as directed, you’ll maintain full responsibility for any financial repercussions that occur.
Bail Bond Agents Can Turn Defendants Over to Police Custody
If the defendant fails to appear in court as directed, a bail bond agent retains the right to track down that individual and turn them over to police custody. The bail agent will also maintain routine contact with the defendant to ensure that he or she shows up in court on the assigned date(s). Because the bail agent will lose a substantial amount of money if the defendant evades the court, he or she may take the necessary actions to apprehend the accused individual.
Need experienced, reliable, Lake Charles, LA, bail bond services? Contact our team at A Right Choice Bail Bonds today at (337) 429-2996. We service all of Calcasieu Parish and offerfree consultations for your convenience.