If you find yourself in the position of having to post bail for someone close to you, it can be challenging knowing what to look for if you have never done anything like it before. It is important that you arrange bail as soon as you can for your loved one, but you also need to know what to expect so that you can avoid problems going forward. Here are some things that might surprise you.
A Bondsman is Not Required to Take Every Case
It may surprise you to learn that there is nothing that requires a bail bondsman to take any case they are approached with. They take every case seriously, as they are putting out money to get someone out of jail, and if they determine that someone is not a good risk, they may not want anything to do with the case.
That's why it is a smart idea to approach a number of bondsmen in the area so that you aren't waiting forever, only to find out that the bondsman you've contacted has decided not to have anything to do with your loved one's case.
The Facility Could Be Responsible for Delays
Once your friend or loved one's case has been accepted by a particular bondsman, you might believe that your friend or loved one will be released right away. However, you need to know that there may very well be delays that have nothing to do with the bail bondsman. Some facilities simply process cases more slowly than others, so it can be hard to get an idea of how long your friend or loved one might be incarcerated. Be sure to ask your bondsman about what normal processing times are for the facility that your friend is in, so that you have a better idea of how long they will be in jail before they are allowed to be released.
You Might Have to Pay Multiple Bonds
If your loved one or friend is charged with additional crimes, you may think that you can just cancel, or resign, that bond and arrange a new one for them that covers all the charges they are facing. However, some bail bondsmen do not offer that option, which means you could end up paying two different bonds, each with a separate set of administrative fees and costs.
To prevent this problem, use a bondsman who will permit you to resign primary bonds so that you can obtain a single bond that covers all the charges that your loved one is facing.
Now that you know more about the bail bonding process, you can make better decisions about how to proceed. Consult bondsmen like All-Mobile Bail Bonds for more information.
