With nearly 11 million arrests happening every year, there isn’t enough space to imprison all the people who are caught and accused of a crime. That’s why the bail bond process was invented, to allow people who had their business together to go home and come back later. When you can’t afford the full cost of bail, a bail bonds provider steps in to help you.
Here are three ways that a bail bond helps you when you can’t afford bail.
1. They Cover What You Can’t Pay
When you’re given a sentence by a judge, it usually has a bail price attached to it. That’s how much it costs for you to walk out the door on your recognizance. If you’re offered a $100,000 bond price, you need to put up at least $10,000 to walk out.
If you can’t do that, you need the help of a bail bonds provider. When they come in to cover you, they take some collateral like a car note or a mortgage as a way to back up your assets. For a small fee, bail bonds representatives cover that full $10,000 so that you don’t have to put up the cash.
While there are some white collar criminals with that lying around, most people accused of a crime don’t have that.
2. They’re Backed Up By Representatives
Your bail bonds aren’t just a piece of paper. They show off a relationship with well-regarded members of the legal industry. The people who step in on your behalf usually have a long and storied relationship with the courts.
They know the judges, the lawyers, and the clerks who work there. They handle services for a lot of people so when you pick a well-respected bail bonds provider, you have some extra clout. While you’re still required to cover your bond, there’s a little bit of extra assurance that you’re good for it when you have good bonds people on your side.
3. They Show Responsibility
When you seek out a bail bond, pay your fee, and still show up to court at the required date and time, you show some responsibility. If you’ve been going to work and being a good citizen in the interim, you show the judge that you’re a contributing member of society.
The ability to successfully complete a bond transaction without signing over your car title to the bonds provider means that you really care. You respect the process of the legal system and you deserve to be positively regarded.
When you show up, you get your money back or have your collateral returned to you in exchange for upholding your end of the agreement. While you may have to pay some amount of money the the bail bonds provider, it’s far less than what you would have had to pay.
The Bail Bond Process Might Seem Daunting
While the bail bond process is a difficult idea to understand at first blush, it’s a lot like pawning your freedom. You put up a little bit of money to get out and so long as you return for your court date, you’ll get everything back.
Check out our guide to ensure you avoid falling into any bail bond scams.
