Bail Bonds in Lancaster, PA

Bail Bonds

You might think that the worst thing that can ever happen to you is to end up in jail and get booked for a crime, but it can be more terrifying not to have cash for bail. This is a process where the judge will set the amount that serves as a guarantee to the court for the temporary liberty of the suspect. Unless the offender can produce the required amount, or unless he or she can get assistance through a bail bondsman, he or she is not allowed to get out of jail until the court hearing.
But there’s a legal way to earn your temporary freedom even when your case is ongoing.

Bail Bond to Gain Temporary Liberty After Arrest

Bail bonds do not imply that you are guilty of the crime you are being accused of. If the defendant flees or fails to attend the scheduled trial despite repeated summons, the court will forfeit the bond.

A judge imposes a criminal bail bond not as a punishment for your alleged crime but only to secure your agreement to show up in court for your hearing. For instance, the judge will look at your criminal record, the severity of the crime you are accused of, whether you are a flight risk and if you can afford the bail. If you skip the court hearings, your bail will be forfeited and you will be subject to arrest.

Civil bail bonds, meanwhile, are for use in civil cases. In this form of surety, there is guarantee that debts, interests and other costs charged against the defendant will be settled.

Why do I Need a Bail Bond?

If you can afford to post bail on your own, you certainly don’t need to hire a bail bondsman. In most states, the rate for a bail bond is at 10% of the bail amount, which gives you an affordable opportunity to get released from jail. In addition to the actual bail bond, an 8%-10% fee is to be applied by the company. Premiums are mostly reasonable considering the high risk companies take in financing bail bonds for an accused offender.

A bonding company also makes it loads easier to navigate the judicial process. But now that you’re free on bail, you can appear before a judge in civilian clothes. The next thing you know, you are back in the care of your family.

You still have to attend your court hearing though. Enjoying a temporary freedom puts you to an advantage as you can ask for guidance from knowledgeable people on how you should present yourself and your case in court. They will then post the bail in the particular court—this could be in the form of cash, check, or money order. This could greatly affect the outcome of the hearing and the final decision of the judge.

How the Bail Bonds Process Works

Finding the right bail agent is important. Whether you choose to go online to do this or not totally depends on us. You can visit the office of the bail agent, you can set a schedule over the phone or even complete the transaction online. Once the deal is made, the bondsman will proceed with the steps to secure your release.

What Information Should I Have When Contacting a Bail Bondsman?

When you contact a bonding company, you have to share these details:

• The defendant’s full name
• The name of the jail where the defendant is placed
• The booking number
• The charges
• Any other piece of information you think is necessary

What Constitutes the Collateral?

You will be seeking the assistance of a bail bondsman precisely because you have no immediate source of money to use in paying your bail. But of course bail bond companies will not shell out money on your behalf without a guarantee that they will be paid back.

They will require collateral in the form of your assets such as:

• House or land
• vehicles, boats, yachts
• jewelry and gemstones
• Shares of stocks
• Bank accounts
• TV, appliances and gadgets
• Antiques and art collections
• Farm equipment

Yes, the bail bonds process can be overwhelming, especially if it is your first time and you have absolutely no idea how it works. Most of them operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all the more to help your loved one to spend the least amount of time in jail as possible. He or she will welcome the opportunity to get you or your loved one out of jail.