No one likes to get that phone call that a friend of a family member has been arrested and needs bailed out of jail. In times like these, trusting the services of an experienced company like Premiere Bail Bonds can make all the difference. Before you cosign that bond, however, consider a few facts first.
How does a bail bond work? Bail bonds are a percentage of the amount of bail that the police or a judge has determined the defendant must pay in order to be released from jail on their own recognizance. For example, if bail is set at $30,000, a Riverside bail bondsman will likely require $3000 (plus any fees) in order to start the process. This can save money, since the entire amount does not have to be offered upfront in order to get your loved one back to his or her family. The bond works as a sort of “insurance.” It is a pledge that the defendant will appear in court at a later date. If that pledge is not honored, the bond is forfeited and a bench warrant is issued for the defendant’s arrest.
Can you afford to do bail someone out? As the cosigner, you are guaranteeing you will pay the full amount of bail if the defendant does not appear in court. This includes any fees the bail bond agents might incur if the defendant skips the court date and has to be found. If the defendant is located within a certain amount of time by the bail enforcement agent, then the cosigner is only responsible for the expenses the agent incurred while looking for the defendant.
Weigh your financial situation before committing to cosigning a bail bond. Although collateral is not always required to bail a person out of jail, the cosigner usually does need to be employed. Additionally, they should either have been renting or owning a home in the area for some time in order to be considered a good fit for a cosigner.
Consider the defendant’s character and situation. Has the defendant met any other court dates, or did they “skip out” on them? Past behavior usually (but not always) indicates future behavior as well. Is the defendant employed or otherwise a strong part of the community? Not only do these things matter when setting the bail bond, but they are also good indicators of whether the defendant will show up in court.