Phone Call With a Bail Bond Agent? Ask These Questions
When you find out that your best friend or a loving family member has been arrested, you likely have a lot on your mind. If you are unsure what to do next, you might want to pick up the phone and ask your local bail bond agent what you need to do next. One of the first things you must consider is what to ask on the phone with your bail bond professional.
These questions will help you begin the process of bailing a loved one out of jail, and you can initiate the information-finding process on the phone.
What Is Your Price?
Bail bond services may vary slightly across the board in terms of cost, but the cost to you is typically a percentage of the price of the set bail. For example, if bail was set at $5,000, a bail bonds professional who charges a 10% fee will charge $500.
Part of this question might also involve asking what kind of payment the company accepts. Some bail bonds companies accept credit cards, while others may accept items of equal value. If you call ahead, you can prepare the form of payment you want to use, whether it is a check or the title to a vehicle.
Are You Licensed?
Bail bonds companies are typically licensed, as they are regulated by the states in which they do business. If the company is not licensed, they may not have the authority to operate as a bail bond agent. You should only trust bail bonds companies with a license.
Will You Provide a Written Contract?
Anytime you establish a contract with a business, you want the information in writing. Bail bonds services are no exception. Ensure that you receive an accurate document that reflects exactly the value of the money or collateral you handed over. Secure evidence the transaction occurred.
Will I Need a Co-Signer?
The bail bond service you choose may require a co-signer depending on the facts at hand. The co-signer gives the bail bonds professional payment should you fail to pay, but the co-signer also offers information about the individual who requires bail should he or she not show up for their court date. In lieu of a co-signer, some bail bond professionals accept collateral.
When Will My Loved One Be Released?
An experienced bail bonds professional will have a solid idea of when they can release the defendant from jail. Consider the fact that the office’s proximity to the jail may have something to do with the speed at which your loved one is able to leave the jail.
What Is the Process of Receiving Your Money Like?
Feel free to ask a bail bond professional about the process of bonding out of jail. The process differs, and it depends on the actions your loved one takes when he or she is out of jail. If your loved one does not show up for their trial, the process differs a lot than if your loved one does show up for court. For the specifics regarding your case, you need to ask the agent you work with directly.
What Are Your Ratings?
This is a question you may not ask on the phone but rather look up on the Internet ahead of time so you know what to expect. If you have questions based on the reviews you read, now is the time to ask them.
Affordable Bail Bonds is a bail bonds company with years of experience with cases just like yours. Give us a call today to ask any questions you may have about your loved one’s case.