The Bail Bond Process:

1. The arrest
2. Choosing a bail bond company
3. Obtaining a bail bond
4. What is Collateral?
5. The Bail Release Process
6. Court Appearances
7. Sentencing – and Bail Bond Exoneration

1. The Arrest –
When a person is arrested by law enforcement, they will typically be taken to the local Police or Sheriffs Department for booking. The amount of bail is determined by the bail schedule in each particular county. The Bail Schedule is a pre-determined amount of bail set for specific charges. The arresting agency often has the right to raise, reduce, or reject bail for the defendant if they feel the need to do so. Most often the defendant will be able to post bail immediately. In order to post bail you will need to contact a bail bond company.

2. Choosing a Bail Bond Company –
When choosing a bail bond company you will want to find one that meets your specific needs and requirements. For instance, do they service the jail your friend or family member is in? How quickly can they be there? Do they require collateral? Do they offer payment plans?

3. Obtaining a Bail Bond –
After you have selected a bail bond company, you will need to make arrangements with them to get your friend or family members out of jail. Once you have made arrangements and completed all the details of your agreement, the bail agent will then post the bond at the necessary jail to secure the release of the defendant. Often times you will be required to pledge collateral to guarantee the defendants appearance in court.

4. What is Collateral? –
Collateral is something used to secure the entire amount of the bond if the defendant does not appear in court. Types of collateral include: houses, land, cars, cash, credit cards, jewelry, planes, boats, or anything that is equal to or more than the amount of the bond. You will get the collateral back once the person appears in court.

5. The Release Process –
After the bail bond is posted at the jail the release process takes between 5 minutes and 12 hours depending on the size of the jail. If the defendant is in a smaller city jail it usually takes less than 30 minutes. If they are being held in a large county jail it could take up to several hours.

6. Court Appearances –
When the defendant is being released from jail he will receive a court date. The bail bond you have obtained for his release is valid throughout the entire court case. Some times if the case goes on longer than 1 year you may be subject to a renewal premium. As long as the defendant makes all of his court appearances when he is required to, the premium you already paid is all you ever pay. If the defendant misses a court date you may be subject to paying the entire amount of the bond immediately. Or you may have to pay the bail bond companies expenses in order for the company to get their bail bond exonerated.

7. Sentencing and Bond Exoneration –
Upon sentencing, whether innocent or guilty or if the charges were dropped the court will exonerate the bail bond. This means, as far as the bail bond company is concerned everything is over with. At this point you should call the bail company and let them know the case is over. If you used collateral to secure the bail bond this is when you would get it back.