Understanding Bail Bonds

What is a bail bond?

Most people are familiar with bail bonds. Someone arrested on a criminal charge may be held until trial, unless they furnish the required bail. The posting of a bail bond acquired by or on behalf of the incarcerated person is issued, the bonding company guarantees that the defendant will appear in court at a given time and place. The jurisdiction in whose court the defendant must appear, is protected by the bond. If the defendant fails to appear, the bond amount becomes payable and is forfeited as a penalty by the surety issuing the bond. Bail bonds usually require collateral or a security deposit to protect the surety.

As you can see, there are a number of ways we can help you secure the release of your friend or family member from jail. Our phones are answered 24/7/365. If you are not sure if we can help you, please call and we can explain the situation.

How Is Bail Set?

After booking the defendant, the arresting officer files a probable cause affidavit with the court. This is basically the officer’s short version of what the allegations against the defendant are. The judge reads this report and checks the defendant’s criminal history. At that point, the judge sets the bail amount. The seriousness of the allegations and the length of the defendant’s prior arrest history are probably the most important factors in determining the amount of bail set by the judge.

How long does it take to get out of jail?

The paper work takes approximately 15-30 minutes. The release time after the jail receives our paperwork is generally less than one hour for county jails. Generally speaking, the busier the holding facility, the longer it takes.