Bail Bonding Misconceptions & The Truth About The Bail Bonding Process
You might think that bail bonds are expensive, but it’s the opposite. The costs for bail bonds depend on what type of bond is put up and by whom-but they’re usually much cheaper than the fines imposed by the court. There are also nine major misconceptions people have when it comes to bail bonds. It’s time to clear these up and realize that it’s not as bad as you think!
Misconception #1: Bail Bonding Is Expensive.
You’ve probably heard of someone who had to put up a lot of money for bail, especially if they didn’t have the money in cash on hand or couldn’t pay with a credit card. You may not realize that there are many other ways to post bail, such as borrowing from family and friends or giving a property, like your house, as collateral. The amount needed will often depend on the severity of the crime committed, and it could be much more reasonable than what you think when you first hear about it.
Misconception #2: You Need to Wait in Jail Until Your Trial.
Since people who bond out can come back if the case is dismissed or plead guilty, there’s no reason to stay in jail. Most cases are straightened out with a quick meeting of all parties involved to establish future dates and times, and you may not need to do either. Trials can be postponed if your attorney requests them for many reasons, or they might even find more evidence to weaken the original charges against you. If all goes well, you’ll be back at home before you know it!
Misconception #3: You Have to Pay an Additional Bail Bond After You’re Released from Jail.
Many people don’t understand how bail bonds work because they think they need to put up a lot of money right away-that doesn’t always happen. It’s not unusual to get out on a personal recognizance bond and not pay anything right away. Instead, you can pay the surety company later if necessary. Some bonds are even free of charge because they’re put up by family members or friends who love and support those involved in the case as much as loved ones would want to help them while they wait for their trial.
Misconception #4: You Have to Use an Expensive Bail Bonding Company to Get out of Jail and Stay Out.
Some bail bonding companies are really expensive, but there is no need to worry about this if you go with Abba Bail Bonds in Santa Ana instead! Our staff knows all about how bail bonds work and can help you find a way to pay for them without breaking your bank. We have an extensive network of bail bond agents throughout the state and in other states, too. If something goes wrong with your court date or another issue that would keep you from showing up on time, we can go out and get you! This is because our team includes former law enforcement officials who know exactly how to locate people and bring them back safely.
Misconception #5: You Need an Attorney While Waiting for Trial but Don’t Need One Once You’re Released from Jail.
While this may be true if you plead guilty and avoid the trial process altogether, there are many reasons why having a professional on your side is a good idea. For example, you may be able to push your trial date back, and if you do this, you could get out of jail without having to pay for bail bonding in the first place! And just because you can afford to bail yourself out doesn’t mean that’s always your best option. It might not even be an option at all because some bonds require a certain credit score or will only accept cash, which is problematic if it’s from other means than your savings account. In these cases, it’s usually better to go with a professional unless someone else can help pay for it.
Misconception #6: When Being Released from Jail on Bail, You’ll Have to Wear an Ankle Bracelet or Pay Extra Fees.
Sometimes you will have to wear an ankle bracelet so the police can easily locate you, but this is usually only a requirement if your bail is high enough that there’s a slight chance of you trying to flee from justice. Even then, the chances are quite small. Those who bond out with Abba Bail Bonds in Santa Ana won’t need to worry about this because our team knows how to help you avoid it!
Misconception #7: You Must Also Pay a Premium Charge for Your Bail Bondsman’s Services If You Don’t End up Going to Trial.
This one might be the biggest misconception of all because it doesn’t matter whether or not you have to go through with your court date! Some people assume that a surety company has no way of getting their money back if they do not use their services, but this isn’t true at all. If extenuating circumstances such as a change in your case or some other unforeseen circumstance occurs, then many agents will refund money back to you! These circumstances provide ample protection for their clients, as well as a lot of reassurance, knowing that they will not lose money if something unpredictable happens.
Misconception #8: You’ll Have to Wait on a Long List Before You Can Get a Bail Bonding Agent to Come out and Post Your Bail.
This is not true at all. There are several ways to pay for your bail bonding online or over the phone without having to wait around for hours! Many people wait until things are impossible before reaching out for professional help, but it’s highly recommended that you get in touch the moment you realize that you need to be bailed out. By acting early, you will know that you can get out of custody very quickly. The waiting period is often only a few hours until you’re out and getting back to normal life. There will never be any hidden fees or surprises waiting for you once everything is officially resolved.
Misconception #9: It’s Illegal to Bail Another Person out of Jail, Even If They’re a Friend or Family Member.
This is a common misconception that we hear at our company all the time. However, it’s not illegal at all to bail someone out of jail-even if you’re doing so for a friend who has done something wrong! Just make sure that both parties involved understand what is expected from each other beforehand, and everything will work itself out just fine.
It’s also important to know that bail bonds are not designed for people who have been charged with violent crimes such as rape or murder. If you’ve done something like this and think a bond will work to help get you out of jail quickly, it’s best to consult with an attorney because the chances are good that they can help much more than someone working at a bail agency can.
If you need a bond, whether for yourself, a family member, friend, or colleague, call Abba Bail Bonds in Santa Ana immediately. With over 30 years of experience, we can help you out of any situation and get you back to your normal routine ASAP.
We referenced this article in The Open News for our article, What Are Some Common Myths Regarding Bail Bonds.
Abba Bail Bonds also provides bail bonding services in the following counties: San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Orange County, Los Angeles County & every other county in California.
Contact Abba Bail Bonds Today!