Can you pay your own bail? The better question is whether you should—or whether and why you should use a bail bond company instead of trying to go it alone.
Even if you have enough money to post bail, it’s often better to work with a bail bond company. They’re often available 24/7 and are more familiar with the process than you are. Their much-needed guidance can be quite helpful during this stressful time.
What to consider
When determining whether and why you should use a bail bond company, take these factors into account:
- What is their availability? When someone is arrested, their loved ones typically have one priority: to get them out of jail as soon as possible. Since arrests and bookings can happen any time of day or night, you want a company that’s available 24/7. If they’re not as available, you may want to research another one or pay bail yourself.
- Do you trust your loved one to go to court? When you post bail for someone, you tie yourself to their behavior until the case is resolved. Bail is a way for the court to guarantee that someone will show up to their court appointments, even if they’re allowed to await trial at home. If they fail to show up, the entire amount could be forfeited—which means you’re on the hook for the full amount.
- What will happen if bail is forfeited? If bail is forfeited for any reason, are you still able to support yourself? One of the reasons people choose bail bond agents is because they only have to pay a 10 percent fee up front rather than the full amount. If you don’t want your money tied up, choose a bail bond company.
- What’s the bail bond company’s reputation? Make sure you do your research. Find out as much as you can about the bail bond company’s reputation, license and policies. This will help you avoid scams and other unpleasant surprises.
- Will you get your 10 percent back? Some people assume that when you hire a bail bond company, you’ll get the 10 percent fee back. That is not accurate. The 10 percent you pay up front is how the company makes their money—even if your loved one shows up to all of their court dates and is eventually acquitted, that’s the cost of posting bail. If you pay bail yourself, you should get the full amount back if all terms are met.
- Will the company return your loved one to jail? Finally, find out whether the bail bond company will locate your loved one and return them to jail should the court issue a bench warrant. In many cases, they have a choice between finding the defendant or paying the full amount of bail.
Asking these questions will help you determine whether working with Brazoria County Bail Bonds is right for you. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services and policies.