If you hear that a loved one is in jail and needs help, you have to figure out what to do quickly. One of the first calls that you should make is to a bail bonds agent. Unfortunately, with all of the misconceptions about bail bonds agents, some people have the wrong expectations of bondspersons. Here is what you need to know.
Bail Bond Agents Make Deals for Defendants
The bail bond agent is not the person that makes deals for defendants. He or she cannot change the bail amount of request bail. The process of setting bail has everything to do with the judge and at times, your loved one’s counsel can help argue for lower bail. When you’re dealing with Fayette County bail bonds, the bondsperson does not negotiate your bail amount.
Bail Bond Fees Can Be Refunded
Some people wrongly believe that if your loved one is found not guilty, the bail will be refunded. This isn’t the case. The bond fees are for the agent. This is the transaction cost when it comes to having them post bail for your loved one. These fees are non-refundable, regardless of the case outcome.
You Have to Pay Bail in Cash
When someone believes that they have to pay bail in full, it usually stops them from helping out their loved one. For a non-violent misdemeanor, the bail may be as little as 500 dollars. The degree of the crime determines the bail amount. If you don’t have enough, that’s okay. You only put up a percentage of the cost, whereas the bond agent puts up the rest. The point of an agent is to keep you from having to pay the full amount. You pay a percentage of the bail and secure it with collateral.
When it comes to bailing out a loved one, it can be an intimidating and daunting process. The bondsperson can usually help make the situation easier. Once you weed through the misconceptions, it should clear up the process a lot.