Bail Bonds Tampa FL FAQs
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A bail bond is a surety bond posted on behalf of a defendant to secure their release from jail. A bail bond is a contract between the defendant, the bail bond company, and the court, and it requires the defendant to appear in court for all their scheduled appearances.
If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bail bond company will be responsible for paying the full bail amount.
When a defendant is arrested, they will be taken to jail, where they will be processed and booked. The booking process includes taking their mugshot and fingerprints and collecting personal information.
Once the booking process is complete, the defendant will be given a bail amount. If the defendant cannot post bail, they will remain in jail until their court date.
If the defendant needs help posting bail, they can contact a bail bond company. The bail bond company will then post the bail on the defendant’s behalf, and they will be released from jail.
The bail bond company will then require the defendant to sign a contract agreeing to appear in court for all their scheduled appearances. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bail bond company will be responsible for paying the full bail amount.
The bail bond cost depends on the bail amount and the state where the arrest occurred. Most bail bond companies charge a non-refundable fee of 10% of the bail amount.
For example, if the bail amount is $10,000, the bail bond company will charge a $1,000 fee. The $1,000 fee is the non-refundable bail bond premium, and it is not refunded even if the defendant is found innocent or if the charges are dropped.
In addition to the bail bond premium, the bond company may charge additional fees for collateral, warrant checks, and surety risk assessment.
To qualify for a bail bond, you must be 18 years old and have a valid ID. You will also need to provide collateral to the bail bond company.
Collateral is something of value that can be used to secure the bail bond. For example, collateral can be cash, property, jewelry, or a vehicle. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bail bond company can use the collateral to cover the cost of the bail bond.
The bail bond company will also perform a surety risk assessment to determine if you are a good candidate for a bail bond. The surety risk assessment includes a background check and a financial assessment.
If you are deemed a high-risk candidate, the bail bond company may require additional collateral or refuse to provide a bail bond.
A bail bond is posted on behalf of the defendant to secure their release from jail. A personal recognizance bond is when the defendant is released on their recognizance and does not have to post bail.
A personal recognizance bond is typically only given to defendants who are not considered a flight risk and have strong ties to the community. In most cases, a personal recognizance bond will only be given if the defendant is charged with a non-violent crime.
If the defendant is released on their recognizance, they will still be required to appear in court for all their scheduled appearances. If the defendant fails to appear in court, a warrant will be issued for their arrest.
You should contact a bail bond company immediately after the arrest. The sooner you contact a bail bond company, the sooner the defendant can be released from jail.
It is important to note that you should only use a licensed bail bond company. Many unlicensed and illegal bail bond companies operate in the United States.
Using an unlicensed bail bond company can be risky and lead to the defendant not being released from jail. In some cases, the defendant may even be arrested again.
You can find a licensed bail bond company online or ask a friend or family member for a recommendation.
When searching online, you should only consider bail bond companies licensed in your state. You can typically find this information on the bail bond company’s website.
It is also a good idea to read reviews of bail bond companies before selecting one. This will give you an idea of the quality of service you can expect.
Finally, you should always contact multiple bail bond companies to compare rates and services. Bail bond companies typically charge the same fees, but some may have better customer service or faster release times.
If you cannot afford a bail bond, you may be able to qualify for a court-appointed attorney. You can also contact a bail bond company to arrange for a payment plan.
Some bail bond companies also offer financing options for those who cannot afford the full bail bond amount. However, these financing options typically come with high-interest rates and fees.
You should always contact a bail bond company to discuss your options before making any decisions.
A judge sets the bail amount during the bail hearing. The bail hearing is typically held within 48 hours of the arrest.
The judge will consider several factors when setting the bail amount, including the severity of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history, and whether the defendant is considered a flight risk.
The bail amount must be paid in full before the defendant can be released from jail.
The cost of a bail bond typically ranges from 10% to 20% of the bail amount. For example, if the bail amount is $10,000, the bail bond company will charge $1,000 to $2,000.
The actual cost of the bail bond will depend on many factors, including the state where the defendant is being held and the bail bond company’s fees.
Some bail bond companies also charge additional fees, such as a service or annual premium. The cosigner of the bail bond typically pays these fees.
A bail bond forfeiture occurs when the defendant fails to appear in court for their scheduled appearance. If this happens, the bail bond company must pay the full bail amount to the court.
The bail bond company will then attempt to collect the money from the cosigner of the bail bond. If the cosigner cannot pay, they may be required to appear in court.
A bail bond revocation occurs when the defendant violates the terms of their bail bond agreement. If this happens, the bail bond company may revoke the bail bond and require the cosigner to pay the full bail amount.
The bail bond company will then attempt to collect the money from the cosigner of the bail bond. If the cosigner cannot pay, they may be required to appear in court.
When contacting a bail agent, you should have the following information ready:
- The name of the defendant
- The defendant’s date of birth
- The amount of bail that has been set
- The name and location of the jail where the defendant is being held
- Your contact information
- Your relationship with the defendant
- Your cosigner’s contact information
It would be best if you were also prepared to pay the bail agent’s fee, typically 10-20% of the bail amount.
There are a few different ways to get a bail bond. You can contact a bail agent, post bail yourself, or have someone else
No, you do not get your money back after the case ends. The bail bond company keeps the bail bond fee regardless of the case’s outcome.
How Do I Find A Bail Agent?
You can find a bail agent by searching online or in the phone book. You can also ask a friend or family member.
If you think the defendant will not show up for court, you should contact the bail agent as soon as possible. The bail agent may be able to help you locate the defendant and bring them to court.
As a cosigner, you are responsible for ensuring the defendant attends all of their court appearances. You are also responsible for paying the bail bond company if the defendant fails to appear in court or violates the terms of their bail bond agreement.
No, the defendant is not allowed to leave the state or the country while on bond. If they do, their bail bond will be forfeited, and they will be subject to arrest.
No, bail agents are not allowed to discount the premium. The premium is set by the state in which the defendant is being held and must be paid in full.
If you miss a payment, the bail agent may revoke the bond and require you to pay the full bail amount. The bail agent will also attempt to collect the missed payment from you.
No, all bail agents must charge the same amount for the premium. The only price difference may be for some bail agents’ additional services, such as payment plans.
The bail money is returned to the person who posted it.
The bail money is forfeited and goes to the court.
A bail enforcement agent, also known as a bounty hunter, is hired by a bail agent to find and apprehend a defendant who has skipped bail. Bounty hunters are not law enforcement officers and do not have the same powers as police officers.
Bail agents typically accept cash, property, or a cosigner as collateral. Some bail agents also accept credit cards.
If the defendant gets re-arrested while out on bond, the bail agent may revoke the bond and require you to pay the full bail amount. The bail agent will also attempt to collect any missed payments from you.
The bail bond system began in England in the 13th century. At that time, bail was money or property pledged to the court to ensure a defendant would appear for their trial. If the defendant failed to appear, they would forfeit their bail and be subject to arrest. In the United States, the bail bond system was established by the Bail Reform Act of 1966. Under this system, a bail bond company would post bail on behalf of the defendant in exchange for a fee. This act allowed commercial bail bonds, also known as surety bonds, to post bail.
If you live in a state that does not have private bail, you may be able to post bail with the court. However, you will likely have to pay the full bail amount upfront. You may also be required to provide collateral, such as property or cash, to ensure that the defendant will appear for their court date.