It is no secret that communication is the secret to success. It is also a key component to successfully cultivating a harmonious relationship between yourself and your bail bondsman. Early in your relationship, there are a few key things you need to discuss with the representative who is helping secure your release from jail.
How Much will the Bond Ultimately Cost
The court determines how much bail you’ll have to pay before you can walk out of jail. If you bail yourself out, you pay the entire amount which the court returns to you once you’re case has made it through the entire legal process.
If you require a bail bonding agency such as Absolute Bail Bonds in Los Angeles, you pay us 10% of the total amount. We kick in 90%. Once the case is concluded, we get 100% of the money back.
This is the standard process. Each bail bonds business has its unique twist which is why you must discuss exactly how much money you must provide and how much the bail bonds agency supplies. Make sure both amounts are clearly stated in your contact.
In addition to finding out how much bail is going to cost you, take time to learn if you need to have a co-signer if you have to sign over any assets and if you need to provide the bail bonds business with information about your employer.
How Long will it be Before You’re Allowed to Walk out of Jail
Some people assume that as soon as they contact a bail bondsman, they’ll get out of jail. That’s not usually the case. Several factors influence how much time it will take for the bail bondsman to procure your release.
Influencing factors include:
- How long it takes you to come up with your share of the bail
- The bail bondsman’s current availability and schedule
- How long it takes the bail bondsman to fill out the required paperwork
Knowing how long it will likely take the bail bondsman allows you to arrange for things like transportation to your home, care for your kids, and when you can return to your job.
How Long Has the Bail Bondsman Been Active in the Area
It is in your best interest to get a little information about the bail bondsman you’re working with. There are many stories about people who thought they were getting bailed out of jail only to learn that the person they were dealing with wasn’t a bail bondsman but actually a con artist. Knowing how long they’ve been working in the area goes a long way towards confirming that you’re working with a legitimate business that can get you out of jail.
Knowing what questions you should ask your bail bondsman helps clear up a lot of communication problems and helps you to keep the relationship pleasant and business-like rather than stressful.