Posting of a bail bond
This
process involves a contractural undertaking guaranteed by a
bail agent
and the individual posting bail. The
bail agent guarantees to the court
that the defendant will appear in court each and every time the judge
requires them to.
For this service, the defendant is
charged a percentage of the bail amount. Before being released the
defendant or a relative or friend of the defendant, typically contacts a
bail agent to arrange for the posting of bail. Prior to the posting of a
bail bond, the defendant or a co-signer must guarantee that they will
pay the full amount of bail if the defendant does not appear in court.
Typically,
a family member or a close friend of the defendant will post bail and
cosign. Collateral is not always required for a person to be bailed from
jail. Often a person can be bailed from jail on the signature of a
friend or family member. Cosigners typically need to be working and
either own or rent a home in the same area for some time.
After
an agreement is reached, the
bail agent posts a bond for the amount of
the bail, to guarantee the defendant's return to court.
If
the defendant "skips", the cosigner is immediately responsible for the
full amount of the bail. If the defendant is located and arrested by
the
bail agent the cosigner is responsible for all expenses the bail
agent incurs while looking for the defendant.
