How do bail bonds work?

If your friend or family member has been arrested, chances are they will need someone to post bail on their behalf. How does this work? If you find yourself in this situation, you have some options to consider.

The defendant’s bail process:

  1. A person gets arrested and booked for a crime and is considered a defendant.
  2. The defendant is held in jail while waiting for an initial court appearance, or “arraignment.” This is a brief hearing where the judge sets a bond amount that must be paid before the person is released from jail.
  3. Once the judge sets the bond, either the defendant, a friend, or a family member can pay the full amount of the bond.
  4. If no one has enough money to pay the full bail amount they can call a bail bondsman. This way, they only need to pay a small percentage of the bond to get their loved one out of jail.
  5. After the bond is paid, the defendant is released from jail.
  6. The defendant must appear at all court dates for the bond to remain active. Failure to appear may result in loss of money, collateral and, most importantly, the defendant’s freedom.

What happens if I can’t afford bail?

If you don’t have enough money to pay for bail, the defendant must wait in jail until their court date. A better option, however, is to hire a bail agent.

How much does a bail bondsman charge?

A bail bondsman in Ohio charges a 10% premium of the full bond amount. For example, a $10,000 bond will cost a $1,000 premium. Once the premium has been paid, the bondsman will post the full amount of the bond and the defendant will be released from jail.

What information do I need to post bail for a friend?

When you call a bail agent you’ll need to know the defendant’s full name and date of birth, the location of the jail, the booking number and charges, and the bond amount.

Do I need to provide collateral to get bail money?

Depending on the amount of the bond and the severity of the alleged charge, a bail bondsman can require collateral to be signed over. Collateral is in addition to any paid premiums and could be cash, property or any other asset. The purpose of collateral is to help guarantee the defendant appears in court.

After bail is paid, how long does it take to get out of jail?

Bail agents are available 24/7, so our response time is quick. Even though we can post your bail fast, it really depends on how crowded the jail is at the time the defendant is waiting to be released.

How do I find a bail bondsman?

The best way to find a local bail bondsman is to search either the Professional Bail Agents of the United States (PBUS) or your states’ bondsman association. In Ohio its the Ohio State Bail Bond Association (OSBBA). These are two of the most reputable authorities for bail bonds in Ohio. Our own Erik Castle is on the Board of Directors for the OSBBA and we’re apart of PBUS as well.

Your other option is to search Google for local bail bondsman but its best to check they are part of reputable organizations as we’ve mentioned.

What happens to the accused after they are in custody?

The accused person can make a number of phone calls after their picture and fingerprints have been taken. For instance, they can call you or us through a collect call, or make a 3-way call – that includes both yourself and our bail bond company – to make plans on how to get them out on bail ASAP.

Can you speak to the accused you want to bail out before they are booked?

Receiving a phone call from the accused is the only way through which you can communicate with them once they are in jail. Otherwise, there is no way to contact them until they are processed.

What is the process of putting up property for bail/collateral?

You will need to enter into a contract with a bail bond company and submit a deed of trust with the county recorder in order to put up a house/property as bail.

Your lawyer may be able to handle this filing on your behalf, as law firms, realtors, title companies and other entities are allowed in some states to submit deeds electronically.

If you violate the agreement, the bail company can take possession of your property as they have the deed once it is filed. Before paying the bond, the bail bond company may ask you to furnish them with proof of the filing.

For information on an Ohio bail bond or to speak with a bail bond agent, call Castle Bail Bonds at (800) 372-2245. We have locations across Ohio and can connect you with a local bondsman who can meet you at the jail or your home. Please reach out; we’re here to help.

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