A bail bond seems like such a simple concept that you would imagine is a very simple process. This is not necessarily true as bail bonds have a number of rules and regulations that must be followed in order for the process to be completed. Here is a list of facts that might interest you before you find yourself in a bad predicament.
- Bail bonds aren’t accessible everywhere – Interestingly, privatized lending services for bail bonds are restricted in multiple states. If you happen to be in locations such as Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Nebraska, you will have to supply your own funds. Those in North Carolina can rest easy, though, as bail bonds are accepted in our state.
- Bail money is not always required – Say a relative or friend was arrested on a small misdemeanor charge. You want to be proactive and get them out of jail as quickly as possible, so you call the local bail bond agency. It’s important to know that he or she may not need bail money. A judge may simply order the person to be released on their own recognizance. Still, the accused must appear in court to avoid additional consequences.
- More is involved besides attending the court date – Let’s look at a hypothetical. You sign your own collateral for someone’s bail bond. They get out of jail that day and attend their court date. The bond process is over now, right? Not necessarily. The accused must comply with all court orders, as well as any regulations set by the bail bond company. For example, maybe the court ordered your loved one to enroll in a drug education program. On the other hand, maybe the judge required him or her to stay in the state for a certain period of time. If they fail to hold up their end of the bargain for whatever reason, you could lose your collateral. That’s certainly one way to jeopardize a lifelong relationship.
- A bail bond agent has power – Any bail bonds service is an independently-run operation. By no means is it tied to the government. That said, a bail bondsman has the right to pursue their clients across state borders. On top of that, a bondsman can freely break and enter a client’s home without a warrant.
- Few countries honor bail bonds – The U.S. and The Philippines are the only countries in the world to have a commercial bail system in place.
If you are wanting to know more interesting facts about bail bonds or are needing our bail bond services, contact us today!