Bail bonds can be a confusing industry—especially if you’re not familiar with the criminal justice system. It can be difficult to get the important information you need when you’re focused on getting bail money in an emergency or last minute situation. Deciphering pages of bail documents filled with specific finance language can be stressful on top of an already emotional situation. You may not have the time you need to decipher the ins and outs of bail bonds before you have to make a decision.
So to help you out, here are a few key terms to help you better understand bail bonds in Angleton, TX:
Bail: Bail is cash, bond or property that an arrested person gives the court as a promise that they will return to appear for their scheduled court date after being released from jail. If they don’t, the court is authorized to keep the bail and will then issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.
Surety: The surety is actually just another name for a bail bondsman. They are responsible for assuring the court that the bond will be paid in full if the accused does not show up for their scheduled court date.
Obligee: The obligee, more commonly known as the court, is the recipient of the bail bond. The court is the party that sets the bail amount based on the crime, past criminal history and the likelihood of the defendant not appearing for court. They can also opt to lower the bail at a hearing if the defendant believes the amount is unreasonably high.
Principle: The accused is also known as the principle. While the surety is involved in the bail bonds process, the principle is actually the primary party indebted to the court.
Collateral: Collateral is any possession or property that is signed over to the bail agent in case the accused doesn’t show up for their court date. Items like property deeds, cars, jewelry, savings or stocks are common items used for collateral.
Indemnitor: Usually, a bail bond is just between the court, the accused and a bondsman. But sometimes a third party can become involved if the accused doesn’t qualify for a bond on their own. A friend or loved one can enter into a bond agreement on behalf of the principle. The indemnitor is responsible for paying the bail agent the entire amount of bail and any additional fees if the accused doesn’t show up for court.
Bail bonds can be an incredibly complicated process. Luckily enough, you don’t have to know the meaning of every term. A reliable bondsman will take the time to guide you through every step of the process when it comes to bail bonds in Angleton, TX. Any quality company will have an intimate knowledge of how the bond system works while also having the communication skills required to explain everything in easy to understand terms. If you need help figuring out bail bonds fast, contact Brazoria County Bail Bonds today.