Whether the one arrested was you or you’re just a friend wanting to help, sometimes the set bail amount is just too high. Although you may not be able to afford bail in full out of your own pocket, in reality, you can afford to make bail when you go through an experienced bail bondsman. Better yet, many agencies are flexible with the types of collateral they accept—it will vary by state and individual bail agencies. With that in mind, here are six common forms of collateral used for bail bonds in Angleton, TX:
- Cash: Also called a surety bond, cash is the most common way, and best way, to post bail for a low bail amount, but it can also go toward higher ones. In a typical situation, a friend or family member takes care of 10 percent of the bond amount in cash. But they will likely have to offer up some other form of collateral to make up for the rest of the bail money in the event the accused jumps bail.
- Real estate: Real estate, which includes residential homes, RVs, mobile homes, owned commercial buildings and land without liens and enough equity to cover costs, can be used as bail collateral. If you are not the one accused of a crime but the property is yours, think hard about the person you are vouching for. You could lose your home if he or she skips bail and doesn’t show up to court.
- Vehicles: Based on its true value, a vehicle that you own may be used as a form of bail collateral. However, like real estate, you could end up losing ownership of your car if the accused (or you yourself) do not make court appearances or if you are unable to come up with the initial premium of 10 percent of the bail amount in cash.
- Jewelry: Because precious metals and stones tend to hold their value pretty well, jewelry is a viable option to put toward bail. And although the value of gold fluctuates, catching the market at a high peak can make it a good way to secure bail help. Unfortunately, if jewelry is the only collateral you have, you must roll with the current value of a piece, whatever that may be.
- Firearms: Do you own firearms? You probably never thought your gun collection could be used to back something like bail, but guns in prime condition just might work. Check with bail bond agencies first about their policy on accepting guns before you consider bailing out a family member or friend with your gun collection.
- Items that can be pawned: Other physical possessions carrying value may be considered as possible forms of insurance for a bail bondsman—though these still need to be valuable enough after pawning to cover a bail jumper. Such items might include instruments, electronics, collectables, bicycles and tools.
When money for bail is needed, but you don’t have it, talk to the team at Brazoria County Bail Bonds about acceptable forms of collateral. Let us help you or someone you care about!