Many people who are arrested for crimes are able to get out of jail while their case moves through the court system. Because of the risk of a defendant not showing up for their court hearings, the court will sometimes require them to put up assets or money to secure their release.
Some defendants may be released on their own recognizance, which means they’re released with only a promise to appear in court. If that doesn’t happen, the bail must be submitted to the court before the defendant is released from jail. If they appear in court through the conclusion of the case, they will receive their assets or cash back.
What happens if you can’t afford bail?
Finances sometimes don’t allow a person to afford the amount of bail that the court requires. In this case, they can turn to a bail bondsman for assistance with securing their release.
The defendant must pay the bondsman a specific percentage of the bail plus any required fees. In exchange for that, the bondman writes a bond to the court to secure the person’s release. The money paid to a bondsman isn’t returned to the defendant upon the conclusion of the case.
The bondsman is then responsible for ensuring the person appears in court. If the defendant skips court, the bondsman must turn the person into the court or cover the entire bail that was set by the court.
Bail is one of the first factors that people facing criminal charges will have to deal with. Working with someone who can assist with the entire criminal defense process may be beneficial so you can learn about your options and set your plan according to what you feel is in your best interests.