If you are in the position in which you need to enlist the help of a bail bond company for either yourself or a loved one, it can be an understandably stressful and difficult time. At Sharky & Stephen Bail Bonds, we provide you with some answers for all the difficult questions on how bail bonds work. We will also guide you on how to find a bail bond company, and how to choose a bail bondsman. Hopefully this information will help you, and your loved ones during this difficult time.
How Does Bail Work?
Many people are unfamiliar with how bail and bail bonds work within the American criminal justice system. This can lead to them being taken advantage of by bail bond scammers. Bail is an amount of money set by the judge. Thus, when a defendant pays this bail to the court, they are allowed to remain free during the duration of their trial. If a defendant does not pay their bail, they are forced to remain in jail during the duration of their trial. In some cases, trial can take months.
What Is A Bail Bond?
A bail bond is used by a bail bond company who pays a percentage of your bail for you. This bail allows you to stay free during the duration of your trial. In exchange for paying your bail, a bail bond company requires that you put a percentage down. Therefore, the bail bondsman usually requires ten percent and sometimes some collateral.
What Should I Look For In A Bail Bondsman?
When looking for bail bonds in Van Nuys, CA, the reputation of the company is everything. Like with anything, some are good and some are bad. Some bail bond companies have reputations of charging unfair prices, and of being unreliable. These scammer type bail bondsman take advantage of families in their time of need. Likewise, some bail bond companies have reputations of charging affordable prices with low interest rates. At Sharky & Stephen, being reliable and helping people who are in trouble, is what we strive for.
Inversely, a bail bond company that charges high interest rates and fees is one to avoid. While most bail bond companies will keep a percentage of your bail that you paid to them, that percentage shouldn’t be higher than ten percent. Reading online reviews by people who’ve used a company’s service is a good way to find out how that company treats their customers.
Contact our team for the best bail bond service in town. We’ve helped countless victims and their families by providing emotional and financial support. You’ll soon learn that not all bond agencies are created equally. While it’s true that all perform the same function of bailing out people from jail, there is a lot that goes into selecting the right bond agency for your family. At Sharky & Stephen, we understand that things happen unexpectedly. You need a bond agent who is prepared to act on your loved one’s behalf 24/7.
You want to choose a bond agent who has a good reputation within their community. Defense attorneys not only know how bail works in California, but will direct you to a bond agent in Los Angeles who they think has done a great job. Bond agents who work with defense attorneys have a reputation for quality work. Adding to that, a recommendation from a defense attorney that the bond agent has worked with might get you a reduction in fee.
Also, detention officers tend to have a great deal of information and could point you in the direction of a reputable bail bond company. Get to know the detention officers, or have an attorney befriend a detention officer and get the inside scoop on a trustworthy bail bonds company.
Other people’s experiences with an agency can tell you a lot. Checking people’s reviews of a bond agency can tell you how a bail bondsman’s process works. It’s easier than ever to research other people’s reviews online with organizations like the Better Business Bureau and Yelp. In addition, agencies also include reviews and testimonials on their website.
Bond agencies usually charge between 10% and 25% of the bail fee, depending on the type of crime and stipulations of the defendant’s release. Make sure you understand what your fee pays for.
Everyone loves receiving a great deal. However, when choosing a bail bond agent, you typically get what you pay for. Bond agents and agencies who have inexpensive fees, of say 5% or less, tend to be less experienced in working with the courts. Bail bondsman that charge a 5% fee or less, could also have hidden fees. Any company with hidden fees is not a good company. Also beware of scam artists pretending to be bond agents, offering deals and changing fee amounts.
Reputation, reviews, being open about fees, and experience all come down to customer service. A bail bond agency is a business just like any other, and you should expect the same level of professionalism from them. A bond agency that is available 24/7 understands the delicate needs of their clients, no matter the hour.
When selecting a bail company, know what your needs are. Do you need an agency that is available 24 hours to answer any questions you may have? Will you need an agent who will help you understand the process? Does experience and reputation matter to you? Ask yourself these questions before making the choice.
Once the defendant shows up for court and the trial has concluded, the judge gives the bail back to the defendant and the bail bond agent. The bail bond agent gets to keep the ten percent in exchange for posting up the ninety-percent needed to get you out of jail. If the defendant does not show up for trial, the bail bond agent can come after you and attempt to bring you into court. Sometimes this is done through a bounty hunter, though the laws governing this all vary state by state.
A bail bond allows most people to get their loved ones out of bail. When you, or a loved one, is in need of bail, typically the amount of bail is too much to pay for most people. So you go to a bail bond agent. After putting down ten percent and some sort of collateral, you pay the rest of the bail through a bail bond. This allows you, or a loved one, to stay out of jail while awaiting your trial.
If you co-sign a bail bond and the defendant fails to show up to court, you may lose whatever assets you put up for collateral, such as a house or car. It’s very important to think carefully about co-signing a bail bond. To that end, if you’re looking for a trustworthy bail bond agent to work with who will charge low fees and work with bail bonds in Van Nuys, then call Sharky & Stephen Bail Bonds now at (818) 696-1363. Sharky & Stephen is a top rated bail bond service.
Do you know what to do if you suddenly find yourself in trouble with the law for the first time? Who would you call to help you get out of jail? What if you do not have the money for bail? Getting arrested, especially for the first time, can be quite scary. Having a plan of action could save you, and your family, a great deal of trouble and money. Before you choose a bail bonds agent, review a bail bond agent. You can always call us with questions at (818) 696-1363.
In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s efforts to protect America’s consumer’s privacy interests, Sharky & Stephen Bail Bonds will never share, sell, or rent any consumer’s individual personal information with anyone without that consumer’s permission. Information submitted to us is managed for the limited purpose of contacting you in direct response to your request for our services.
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