If your loved one has been arrested, they may not have to remain in jail until their hearing. Many accused offenders can be released from jail with or without bail money so they can prepare for their trial in the comfort of their own home. While you’re free to post your own money, there are also bail bond agents who offer special loans. Check out these five benefits of hiring a bail bond agent.
- It Gets Your Loved One Home
In some cases, people don’t need bail money to be released from jail because they qualify to be released on their own recognizance (OR). Unfortunately, your loved one may only qualify for OR release in certain situations, such as:
- The offense was non-violent
- They have a good criminal history
- They have a history of attending their hearings
- They have family in the area
- They have a job in the area
- They aren’t a flight risk
- They aren’t a danger to themself or others
If your loved one doesn’t qualify for OR, you’ll have to pay a heavy fee to have them released from jail, and many people simply don’t have the liquid cash or assets on hand to afford bail. Bail bond agents help people who can’t afford bail get out of jail.
- You Keep Your Money and Assets Safe
If you do have enough cash, there’s nothing stopping you from paying the entire bail amount yourself. Similarly, if you have enough assets, you may be able to use them as collateral, or you can liquidize them for bail money.
As long as your loved one follows all the rules of their release and attends all their court hearings, your money will be returned (minus any potential fees, if your loved one is found to be guilty of the offense); however, you may need that money and those assets to help pay for your loved one’s defense. Similarly, you may not want to risk losing your money or assets if your loved one runs.
- You Keep Your Financial Matters Private
Another problem with paying the bail yourself is proving where you earned the money. This may be more of an issue if you are involved in or suspected to be involved in the offense, but even if you aren’t, the courts may want to see where you earned the money you are using for bail.
Of course, your financial matters are your business, so keep it that way by hiring a bail bond agent. The bail bond agent offers all the money, so your financial matters will not be investigated, keeping your life private.
- Bail Bond Agents Have Experience and Knowledge
Bail bond agents don’t just write you a check and send you on your way. They help you during the entire bail process because they are experienced and knowledgeable. They can help answer any questions you may have about posting bail, but more importantly, they do the paperwork for you. This may actually speed the release process, which can help your loved one get back to work faster, keeping the arrest secret as long as possible.
- Bail Bond Agents Take the Responsibility
If you do post your loved one’s bail, you may also have to make a few promises to the court, such as ensuring they will follow the rules of their release and attend their hearing. If you don’t, and you forfeit your bail money, the only option is to find your loved one yourself or hire a bounty hunter. With a bail bond agent, however, they take the risk and responsibility, so if your loved one runs, the burden falls on the agent.
Getting arrested is stressful, and if your loved one has been arrested or you suspect they may be arrested in the future, you need to get a bail bond agent to help get them out of jail sooner. For more information about bail bond loans and how we can help, contact us today at Affordable Bail Bonds.
