If you’re among the thousands of people who get arrested in North Carolina every year, you may now need to know how to apply for bail bonds.
A bail bond will allow you to stay at home while you await your hearing following an arrest, even if you can’t afford to post bail yourself.
The bail bond process may seem complicated, but applying for bail bonds is a lot easier than most people realize. Keep reading to learn more about how to get bail bonds.
Attending the Bail Hearing
The first thing you’ll have to do is attend the bail hearing. This will provide you with everything you need to know to apply for a bail bond. The judge will set bail based on state laws and other factors.
Contacting a Bail Bonds Agent
Once you have the information you need, your loved one can contact a bails bond agent. This is the first step in the bail bonds application process.
Be sure your loved one has everything they’ll need to complete the application, which includes information about your arrest, cash, and collateral to cover the cost of the bail bond.
Applying for Bail Bonds
There are three main parts that go into applying for a bail bond. Let’s look at each of these.
Filling out the Bail Bond Application
To fill out the bail bond application, your loved one will need the following information:
- Your full name
- Which jail you’re in
- The report or booking number
- What charges are against you
Any other information you can provide with them about your arrest will also be helpful.
Paying the Agent
A bail bondsman expects a percentage of the total cost of bail in cash. This is the amount that they’ll keep no matter what happens as it’s their commission for providing you with a service.
Providing Collateral
Your loved one will also have to provide collateral to cover the remainder of the loan. This could be valuable possessions, vehicles, or property.
Posting Bail
The bail bondsman is the one who will go to the prison or court and post bail for you. Because bails bond agents know the system so well, they can do this more quickly and easily than the average citizen.
Waiting to Be Released
Now all that’s left is to wait to be released. You’ll be released within a few hours of bail being posted since you just have to wait for the paperwork to be processed. If it’s a busy time, you may have to wait longer but could be out in an hour.
After you get released, you’re free to return to your normal life while you wait for your trial. Be sure to attend all of your hearings so your collateral can be given back to you at the conclusion.
Need to Apply for Bail Bonds?
Now you know how to apply for bail bonds. As you can see, applying for bail bonds is a fairly simple process but it’s important to follow it if you want to get out of jail quickly.
If you need help posting bail, contact us today. We would be more than happy to guide you through the process to get you out of prison as soon as possible.
