Did you know that there are 14,000 bail bond agents in the United States writing about 2 billion dollars worth of bail bonds? Bail bonds are when a bail bond agent guarantees payment on behalf of the defendant in case they don’t show up for their court date.
If you skip the court date, then all the bail bond money gets forfeited to the courts and must be repaid in full. But if the bail requirements get met, the money (minus any bail bond agent fees) gets returned to the defendant.
Worried about making some bail bond mistakes because it’s your first time? Then this article below is for you.
1. Lying
When you are setting up your bail bond, the bail bond service, the courts, and/or both will ask you several questions. Make sure that you respond truthfully to all these questions.
These questions are meant to help the bail bond agent and courts figure out if you can pay your bail and if you can be relied upon to show up to your court date after being released from custody. When you lie in response to any of these questions, it can result in your bail bond being revoked or you ending up in jail again, which isn’t ideal.
2. Choosing an Unlicensed Bail Bond Service
There are many unscrupulous, unlicensed, and inexperienced bail bond agents and services out there. And they will try to get your business by charging exorbitant rates.
Make sure you choose a reliable, well-reputed, and licensed bail bondsman, so you don’t end up paying through the nose for someone who doesn’t even know what they are doing. Make sure to ask for their license number, and if they don’t have one or are cagey about giving it to you, find another bail bond service asap.
3. Using the Wrong Address When Posting Bail
You will be filling out various forms during the bond application process. You have to be extremely vigilant during this time so you fill out the right address for the defendant. If you make a mistake when filling out these forms, your bond could be revoked and you could lose all that money you put forth.
It can also be used against you in a court of law, as you could be portrayed as an untruthful and unreliable defendant. Avoid all this by writing the right address with no legibility errors.
4. Getting Arrested When Out on Bail
When the courts allow you to be out on bail, rather than being stuck in police custody, they are doing so, because they trust that you will stay out of trouble when out in the real world. And that’s what you should be doing.
Keep your head down, don’t associate with the folks who got you into trouble in the first place, and spend time at home catching up with family. If you end up doing something illegal while out on bail, then your bail will be revoked of course.
But it also means that you won’t be able to leave court custody on bail again and you will have to stay in jail while you wait for your court date. You will also lose all that money you spent on your bail bond, which is an absolute waste.
5. Choosing the Wrong Cosigner or Upsetting Them
Perhaps you don’t have the funds for the bail bond and are getting a cosigner to help pay for your bail. You are lucky that you have friends, family, or relatives who are willing to do this for you.
Make sure to treat them well and not upset them, because they carry a lot of power over you in this scenario. They could back out any time and if that happens, you are going right back into custody, because your bail would be unpaid.
The cosigner needs to get approved by the bail bond service, needs to have a government-issued ID card, and proof of employment. If you choose the right cosigner, you can get out of jail fast. But not every person is going to be a good cosigner, so choose carefully.
6. Not Showing up to Your Court Date
The main person you wish to have in your favor during court proceedings is the judge in charge of your case. One easy way you can get them on your side is by showing up to your court date.
If you miss your court date, for whatever reason, you are going to forfeit your bail bond money and the judge might be inclined to look at you in an unfavorable manner, which could result in longer jail times, or a worse sentence.
7. Travelling While on Bail
When you are being let out of custody on bail, there are certain rules and restrictions you have to follow. Some people might have a restriction on travel while on bail. Others might have a restriction on the people they can hang out with.
Whatever it might be, make sure you follow the rules to a T. If it says no travel on your bail bond document, then make sure you don’t travel.
If it’s alright for you to travel, inform your licensed bail bondsman so they are in the know. This way they can stay in touch with you if something untoward comes up.
Bail Bond Mistakes Are Easy to Avoid
The court system and the bail bond agents are quite reasonable human beings. If some weird circumstances come up that cause you to miss a court date, make sure you inform your bail bond agent right away.
It’s lies, deceit, and deception that is the problem here. If you remain honest and truthful with your bail bond agent and with the courts and avoid all bail bond mistakes, you are well on your way to being a free human being again.
Searching for a licensed bail bond service in Wake County? Raleigh Bail Bonds is open 24/7 and serves all defendants in Wake County. Don’t delay – contact us today to secure the release of your loved one.