We all have friends and family members who ask us for favors, like to help them move, housesit for a weekend, borrow household tools or pick them up from the airport. But would you know what to do if, out of the blue, someone close to you called asking for bail money? They are the one that has been arrested, but they can’t post their own bail and are looking to you for financial assistance—and the process will begin moving fast right away.
Being arrested is no walk in the park, which is why bail bonds exist. Bail bonds act like an insurance policy—it’s a promise that the defendant will appear in court. So if you are considering signing a bail bond for someone else, it’s important that you take the time to understand what role you will be playing.
So, what are your responsibilities if you decide to bail someone out of jail? Let’s ask an experienced bail bonds agent in Angleton the answer to this question.
Getting the accused to every single court date
When you sign a bail bond contract for someone else, you (the indemnitor) are agreeing to the responsibility of ensuring that the defendant makes it to all of their court dates on time and without fail. Many indemnitors misunderstand this fact, because they think their only part in the case is to get the defendant to show up the first day in court to be released from their contract. However, the bail bond and contract you signed remains in effect until the case is over.
Paying upfront fees and incurred fees
There may be several different fees associated with the defendant’s arrest and case—including additional fees should they fail to appear in court, as well as to cover the cost a bail bondsman has to pay to hire a fugitive recovery service to find them, take them into custody and bring them back to court. Also, most bail agencies have an initial fee payment, a premium of approximately 10 to 15 percent, to file the bail bond. As the indemnitor, you are responsible for this payment, or the process will not start.
Paying the entire bail amount
Here is another reason why it’s important that you carefully consider signing a bail bond for someone else: If the defendant fails to appear or cannot be located, then you will be solely responsible for paying the full amount of the bail originally set by the court. This also means the bail bond agency will be released of any financial obligations to the defendant’s case. Furthermore, any collateral that was put up to post bail at the time of signing the bond contract—such as real estate liens, vehicle pink slips or other valuables—will be used as payment and you will not have it returned to you.
When you or a loved one is in need of a reputable and experienced bail bonds agent in Angleton, you can count on the knowledgeable professionals at Brazoria County Bail Bonds to be there for you. Don’t hesitate to call us anytime!