Being a bail bonds agent in Angleton is not a matter of just deciding to do it. There are qualifications to meet under Texas law, and training to complete, as well. If you are considering becoming a bonds agent or just wish to know the background of someone you might be thinking of working with, here is a description of the required process for becoming a licensed bail bonds agent.
Training and Education
To be eligible, anyone wishing to become a bail bonds agent must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of Texas. Individuals must also not be convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, which include fraud, larceny and intentional harm to others. That includes both felonies and misdemeanors.
Brazoria County also happens to be a bale bond board county, which places additional requirements on entering this field. Before applying for a license, the applicant must work for a bail bond business for 12 months full-time and have the documentation to prove it. In the last 24 months, the applicant must also have secured eight hours of continuing education.
In addition, there are also financial requirements to being a bonds agent. The applicant must provide a bond of $50,000 or secure that amount with a real property interest. An insurance or surety company can also provide this financial backup. This is not provided until after the application is granted, but applicants must show the means to provide this deposit.
Application
Once the training, education, and bond requirements are met, the applicant can submit a request for a license to the bail bond board. Information provided for consideration must include personal details (name, address and age), the business name, business address, list of nonexempt real property, a sworn financial statement and a declaration of compliance with Texas law. Applicants must also provide three letters of recommendation and submit fingerprints and a passport photo. The filing fee for the application is $500.
The board will research and verify the information. If additional inquiries are needed, they might hold a hearing. Once the application is granted, the new agent will need to make good on the $50,000 deposit with the county or secure it with an insurance policy or real estate.
The bonds agent will be legally qualified to post bail on specific inmates using personal assets to underwrite the bail. To collect profit from this, the agent will charge a percentage of the bail posted as a fee for securing the release. No bonds agent will be allowed to secure bonds if the number outstanding exceeds 10 times the value of the collateral or deposit.
It can be difficult to qualify as a bail bonds agent in Angleton. That is why at Brazoria County Bail Bonds, we always offer assistance within the confines of the law, so you gain your freedom and we maintain our licensure. If you are looking for an ethical and reliable bonds agent to assist a loved one held on charges, call us today so we can start making arrangements.