Myths About the Role of Bondsmen

Receiving the call that your loved one is in jail is a difficult one to receive. Your question once you hang up might be, what can you do? Your next step depends on the defendant’s circumstance. You may already know that you can look to a bondsman to help get your loved one out of jail. Unfortunately, most people also have several misconceptions about the process.

Your Bondsman Can Help With Bail Amount

The bond agent does not set the bail. When your loved one is arrested, he or she has to attend a bail hearing. The judge determines the amount of bail. In some jurisdictions, the police station may have a schedule that determines the bail amount for each crime. The bond agent is not there to help you lower the amount. He or she has no say in the amount of bail.

Your Bondsman Frees Your Loved One From Legal Obligations

Once your loved one is out of jail, he or she still has to appear in court. Once the bond is paid for, it doesn’t change the obligation. In fact, if your loved one does not appear at his or her trial, then you may owe your local bail bondsman the full amount. In some cases, agents will ask for collateral. This could cause you to lose property or assets if your loved one doesn’t show up for a hearing. The legal obligations remain until the court case is finished.

When you find out that your loved one is behind bars, it can be a difficult time for both of you. One of the best ways that you can help is through meeting with a bond agent. If your preconceived notions are making you hesitant about using a bondsman, you need to know the truth behind the myths.