Smart Tips For Selecting A Bail Bondsman
If you or a loved one is arrested, the judge will likely set a bail amount that, if you're like most people, will be difficult to pay in full. Fortunately, that's where bail bonds services come into play.
These professionals allow you to pay a small amount of the bail, and they put up the rest. However, not all bail bonds services are created equal. For that reason, you'll want to be careful to choose a fully licensed bail bondsman who meets certain important criteria.
Licensing
As mentioned, you should always choose a licensed bail bondsman. These professionals have been through the training required by your state and must operate within the laws and bounds that the state has set. These laws exist to protect you, so when you choose a licensed bail bondsman, you are choosing someone who is bound by the law to look after your best interests.
Furthermore, licensed professionals can be reported if they do something wrong. They also undergo regular training and have passed a state licensing exam to ensure that they know how to correctly bail someone out of jail, how much they are legally allowed to charge, and how to deal with clients correctly and professionally. Your chances of a positive, fair experience with bonding are much better when you choose a licensed bail bondsman.
Full Disclosure
Every bonding service will charge a fee in order to bail you or a loved one out of jail. However, the best services will be completely upfront about their fees and about what happens if the bailed-out person does not return for their court date.
You should choose a bonding service that is open and honest about all of their policies and charges and that freely answers your questions and addresses your concerns. If you're finding lots of hidden fees or details when you read through the bonding agreement, then take it as a sign you need a different service.
Efficiency
Finally, choose a bail bondsman who cares as much about time and speed as the person in jail does.
Obviously, you want someone who handles the bail process correctly, but you also want someone who can get the job done as quickly as possible. The faster and more efficient your bonding service is, the faster you or the person you care about can get out of jail.
There are many bail services out there, but if you look for these key features, you'll be sure to select the right one.