Many stressful and unforeseen situations can occur in our lives. Going to prison is at the top of this list since this situation affects not only the prisoners but also their close people. Aside from worrying about how the inmates will cope with being in a prison cell, their families have another problem on their mind – how to get them out?
To learn more about procedural law when these unfortunate events happen, see below:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/procedural-law/Criminal-procedure
Detention can sometimes take time, especially if an extensive investigation is ongoing. Until the court determines the date of commencement of the trial, the prisoner is in jail. Yet, the legal system allows the option for inmates to go out until the beginning of the trial.
But there is one condition for releasing the prisoner – they have to provide some guarantee for the freedom. Most often, the bail is required in money. But it can also be real estate, securities, gold, etc. It is a pledge that the court will keep until the final judgment.
Not Enough Money for Bail
In this case, an increasing number of people are opting to hire a bail bond agent, as seen here to make things easier. It can be an agency, an individual involved in it, and even a private person who will, in some way, vouch for the prisoner.
Paying the bail directly to the court is the easiest way to get the inmate out of prison quickly. The amount of bond that the court determines depends on many factors, like criminal history, family situation, etc.
Usually, the entire amount must be paid at once (or provide some other form of guarantee) before being released. Ideally, the prisoner is out the next day. However, due to the lack of these funds, the procedure of releasing can take some time.
Hiring Bail Bondsman
Depending on who the bail bondman is, the types of guarantee will also vary. For example, if you can find someone to vouch for you with some material good, they can deposit their money or property on your behalf. That can be an option if you have someone who trusts you and who has enough money. But, if you do not adhere to the legal procedure, you and your guarantor may find in trouble.
Before the inmates consider their options, the court has to determine whether to approve the bail for a prisoner or not. If you’re not allowed to be released, looking for someone to guarantee for you is useless. But for first timers or convicts in charge of some minor crime, the court is usually not too strict.
A professional bondsman will bring the collateral instead of you. In most cases, you temporarily give them something as a pledge (if you have no money, it’s a property, a car, or any other thing of value). Based on their reputation, they plead before the court for your release and guarantee that you will comply with the court proceedings.
On the following source, see why attorneys can’t be bond agents:
Benefits and Risks of Hiring Bondsman
The price you pay for bond agent services is not high if you compare that cost to the amount of the bail. If you behave appropriately and follow the rules while out, this will be the only expense you will have. That amount is about ten percent of the estimated bail.
Finding a bond dealer is a better option than borrowing money, taking any kind of loan or mortgage. It also requires pledging, which you have to give to the agent. But if you follow the procedure (regularly respond to court calls and appear at trials), you’ll get your pledge back. That way, you will not suffer any material loss.
But if for whatever reason, you decide to ignore court orders and don’t appear on trials, prepare yourself for the consequences. Besides the price you paid for hiring a bail agent, the collateral you gave will be forfeited. Plus, you will probably suffer additional sanctions for contempt of court. More info to find on this source.
For a prisoner, every new day in jail (and especially if they are first-timers) is a burden. And for the family, being without money for bail means a missed chance to spare the inmate of torture being detained. Hiring a bail bond agent will save both inmates and their families a lot of trouble.
