
When someone is arrested and charged with a crime, they will often be given the option to post bail to be released from jail while they await trial. Bail is essentially a form of collateral that posted as a guarantee that the accused will return for their court date. There are two main ways to pay bail. By hiring a bail bondsman or by paying the bail amount directly. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed decision about what is best for your situation.
Convenience: Hiring a bail bondsman is often the easiest and quickest way to get someone out of jail. The bail bondsman will handle all of the paperwork and logistics, which can be a great relief for those who are not familiar with the bail process.
Credit or Collateral not always required: If you have bad credit or no collateral, a bail bondsman can still assist you. Bail bondsmen are often willing to work with clients who have limited financial resources.
Payment plans: Many bail bondsmen offer payment plans which can make the cost of bail more manageable for the client.
Cost: Hiring a bail bondsman is cheaper than paying bail directly. Bail bondsmen charge a non-refundable fee, from 0-15% of the bail amount, for their services.
Cost: The money that is given to the bondsman is nonrefundable unless cash collateral was used.
Risk of forfeiture: If the accused person fails to appear in court, the bail bond may be forfeited, and the bail bondsman may require the cosigner to pay the full bail amount on top of the fee that was used to bond the individual out.
Cost: Paying bail directly is more expensive than hiring a bail bondsman, but you are issued the money back after the defendant is done with court.
Time: Paying bail directly can be shorter process than hiring a bail bondsman. You won’t have to do an application and you just go directly to the magistrate or clerk to pay the bond.
Cost: Paying bail directly can be costly, especially for high bail amounts.
Responsibility: When paying the bond yourself, you are fully responsible for the defendant. If the Defendant misses court its up to you to handle the situation with the defendant, which may be a difficult task.
In conclusion, there are pros and cons to both options, and the best choice will depend on your individual circumstances. We are always here to assist you with your bail bonding needs. Give us a call today 704-431-6229 to better serve you.