Sometimes, the unexpected happens. If someone you love calls you in the middle of the night to ask you to get them out of jail, you may not know where to start. Regardless of why your loved one was locked up, it is important to know how to bail someone out of jail if you want to expedite the process.
Know-How a Bail Bond Works
Simply put, a bail bond is an amount of money that you can provide to the court to ensure your friend or relative gets out of jail and back home to wait for his or her court date. Typically, the court will set bail at anywhere from $1,000 to several hundred thousand dollars, but a bail bondsman only requires you to pay a percentage of that.
Providing Information
Gather some information before you contact the bail agent. You’ll need to know where your friend or loved one is being held as well as his or her full name and booking number. Finally, you’ll need to know the full amount of the bail.
How Much You Pay
When going to a bail bondsman, you typically pay 10% of what the court whats. For example, if the defendant is being held on a $20,000 bond, you’ll need to give the bail bondsman $2,000. He or she will then pay the remaining $18,000. Keep in mind that you will almost always need to provide collateral. This could mean turning over the title to your car, pawning jewelry, or otherwise guaranteeing you’ll repay the money.
After Release
Once you know how to bail someone out of jail Scranton PA and your loved one is released, you’ll need to ensure he or she complies with the conditions of bail. This typically means no leaving the state or country, showing up for all court dates, and avoiding the situation that caused him or her to get into trouble in the first place.
Knowing how a bail bond works can help you let go of much of the stress in this type of situation. By knowing what to expect, you can focus on getting your friend or loved one back on the right track.
