When a loved one gets arrested for a crime, many things run through our minds. Most of the time, even before we find out if they are guilty or not, we often first focus on how to get them out of jail. Thankfully, we have the bail process for this. Once a bail amount has been set, the next step is usually to fulfil the bond’s requirement and then get the loved one out of jail. Most people rely on bail bond companies like Connecticut bail bonds group to help them with this process to avoid making any mistakes.
Suppose you want to learn more about the bail process, especially how a bail bond application is filled. Then you’ve come to the right place. Here you will learn all about it.
What Is A Bail Bond?
A bail bond is a surety bond that comes in the form of money paid by the defendant to be temporarily released from detention before their court hearing.
When a person is arrested, they have the option of applying for bail. If they do not pose a risk to the community or are not considered a flight risk, they may be granted bail by a judge. Upon paying their bail price, they would be released from detention; however, they would be required to appear in court for trial at a set date, after which they would receive the money for bail back.
Frequently the money needed for bail is high, and most people are unable to pay, so they enlist the help of bail bondsmen. Bail bondsmen are agents licensed by the state. They take the responsibility of posting your bail with the assurance that you would appear in court for your trial. In exchange for this, you would pay them some amount of money. If you fail to show up in court, they will come after you themselves.
Applying For A Bail bond
Applying for a bail bond is not as difficult as many people think. There are four major steps involved in the application process which are discussed below.
Attending The Bail Hearing
Before applying for a bail bond, you ought to attend a bail hearing first. The bail hearing would determine if you would get bail or not. If you qualify for bail, the judge would set the bail according to the state laws. Also, you would be given every information you need regarding your bail application.
Contacting A Bails Bond Agent
After your bail hearing, a third party, usually a loved one, may help you to contact the bail bondsman and begin the application process for you. To aid them in the application, they would need certain information such as the following.
- Your full name
- The jail you are detained in
- Every relevant information related to your arrest.
- The charges against you.
- Your identification number
- Referees
They must have precise and detailed information as it would help speed up the process.
Applying For The Bail Bond
When applying for the bond, the information about the detainee, which has been listed above, as well as information about the referees and co-signor would be needed to fill the form.
Also, the bail bond agent may need to carry out a credit check on you. If at all they do, you may need to provide the necessary information they would need.
As part of your application process, you would be required to provide collateral depending on the amount of your bail. This may not be needed for a low bail price, however, if the bail price is on the high side, your bail bond agent may likely request one.
Applying for a bail bond takes only a little time, between thirty minutes to one hour if you have all your details ready.
Posting The Bail
After your bail application has been completed and approved, the bail bond agent would post the bail for you. Bail bond agents are usually familiar with the legal system, so they would be able to do this quickly and efficiently. Now, what’s left is for you to be released. This may take some time as your paperwork would need to be processed.
What Can You Use As Your Collateral When Applying For a Bail?
Usually, the most common forms of collateral used in bail bonds are cash or credit cards. Other forms of personal property such as real estate, cars, jewellery, pawnable items, etc can also be used, however, they are only used as a last resort.
Importantly, your bail bond agent would put a lien on your property. This lien allows them to take over the property if you fail to show up in court. Alternatively, the lien would be dissolved if you show up in court.
With the help of bail bond agents, applying for bail for a loved one is an easy process, all you need to do is contact a reliable bail bond agent and begin your application right away.
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