Understanding Your Responsibilities When Signing A Bail Bond Contract
Posted on: 20 October 2019
If you have a family member or loved one who gets arrested and booked into jail, he or she may ask you to secure a bail bond. When you work with a bail bondsman, the bail bond company will pay your loved one's bail in its entirety so that he or she can be released from jail. Using a bail bondsman is a very fast and efficient way to secure a release, especially when the bail amount is high and difficult for you to pay. However, if you sign a bail bond contract on behalf of a loved one, it is important to understand your obligations. Continue reading to learn more about the responsibilities that you will have when you sign a bail bond contract:
Ensure That the Defendant Appears in Court
When you sign a bail bond contract, you are ultimately taking responsibility to ensure that your loved one appears in court as ordered. It is a good idea to stay in touch with your loved one to make sure that he or she is aware of their court dates and times. Make sure that your loved one understands how important it is to appear in court when he or she is out on bond. If your loved one makes all required court appearances, you will no longer be responsible after the bail amount is returned to the bail bondsman.
Be Prepared to Pay Additional Fees if a Court Date Is Missed
In the event that your loved one misses one or more court dates, you may be held responsible for paying additional fees to the bail bond company. In some cases, the bail bond company may assign a recovery agent to the case when a defendant does not appear for a court date, and you will incur the charges associated with the agent's fees.
Repaying the Bail Amount
When it comes to signing a bail bond contract for another person, make sure that the person is someone who you can trust completely. If your loved one disappears and fails to attend any court dates, you will be legally obligated to repay the bail bond company the entire bail amount that they put up on the defendant's behalf. Most people do not want the unexpected financial obligation of paying back a large sum of money to a bail bond company, which is why is it important to make wise decisions about who to bail out of jail.
To learn more, contact your local bail bonds office today.
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