Bail bonds will get your friend or family member out of jail quickly, but you may want to think twice before you cosign that legally binding document. Be sure to know all of the facts and rules of bail bonds before you undertake this responsibility. Don’t sign without knowing what you’re getting yourself into!
As an […]
After a DUI arrest in Georgia, you will usually face two different legal matters (an administrative license suspension hearing and a driving under the influence case). The administrative license suspension is a civil matter as opposed to the DUI itself, which is criminal. You have 10 business days from the date of your arrest to […]
A criminal bond is a financial guarantee that a defendant will appear for all court appearances. If the bail amount is paid and the defendant then does not show up for court, the court keeps the bail and issues a warrant for the defendant’s arrest. The four most common types of bail bonds used to secure a defendant’s […]
With over 2 million people currently in our nation’s prisons and jails, the United States leads the world in incarceration. While crime rates have not necessarily increased, changes in sentencing law and policy have led to a 500% increase in incarcerations over the last forty years. These changes have resulted in jail and prison overcrowding […]
How do I know when the defendant has to go to court?
It is your responsibility to know when the defendant has to go to court. Typically, the courts will notify the bail agent when the accused is to appear.
Can the defendant leave the state or country while out on bond?
To avoid arrest, a defendant may […]
What is bail?
Upon the understanding that a suspect will return for trial, a cash deposit or pledge is made to a court in order to persuade it to release a suspect from jail.
How is bail determined?
After an inmate has been fully booked, a bail amount will be determined by a judge or magistrate who considers […]
A bond forfeiture occurs when a defendant fails to appear at a scheduled court date, and the company or person who put up the bond must pay the defendant’s outstanding, non-refundable bail amount.
Surety Notification
The court will send a notice to the defendant and the surety (most likely a bail bondsman) and/or their insurance company notifying […]
You are on your way home from dinner with friends, when you see flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror. You have had a few drinks. What should you do? What are your rights?
Find a safe place to pull over
Remember that as soon as a police officer decides to pull you over, their observations will […]
Unfortunately there are several tricks, traps, and scams that less than honest bondsmen or those posing as bondsmen employ to take advantage of people trying to get their loved ones out of jail. Here are some common bail bonds scams, and tips for avoiding them.
Soliciting Inside the Jail
Bail agents are not allowed to solicit business […]
When someone is arrested, they will be taken to a jail or holding facility for processing and booking. Sometimes booking can be completed in an hour, sometimes it takes several hours. Generally, the larger the jail, the longer the booking process takes.
At the facility, the arrested person will be searched for weapons and drugs and […]