Often times, when someone is arrested their friends and/or family will call a local bail bondsman to get them out of jail. Bail bonds, though, are not the only way to get someone out of jail. There are a few other options available that can be used to secure someone’s release, though they all have their pros and cons.
For example, one option for getting someone out of jail is to use a cash bond. To bail someone out on a cash bond, you pay the full amount of bail to the court clerk, and your friend or loved one will be released once they’re processed out of the jail system. Provided the defendant attends all of their court appointments, the money will be returned to you (minus any administrative fees). If they do not attend all of their court dates, the full amount is forfeited to the courts. Cash bonds can be pretty quick and easy, though they’re also quite expensive. Additionally, they can only be posted during court business hours.
Another way to get someone out of jail is to use a property bond. Instead of paying money, a piece of property can be used to bail someone out of jail. Not every piece of property will qualify, though, and the appraisal process can take several weeks to complete. During this period, your friend or loved one will remain in police custody. Again, provided they attend all of their court dates, ownership of the property will be returned to you. If they do not, the property is forfeited to the courts.
Last but not least, there are bail bonds. When you secure someone’s release via bail bond, you pay 10% of the total bail amount as the bail bondsman’s fee for getting the defendant out of jail. Bail bonds can be posted any time of day or night, with the exception of a few small, rural jails. Only bail bondsmen can get someone out of jail 24 hours day. The bail bondsman will also help monitor the defendant while they are released and assist in ensuring that they make all of their court dates. Once the defendant’s court obligations are met, there is no further financial obligation. If the defendant does not show up, the person who signs the bail bond will be responsible for paying the full amount of bail to the court.
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