Every day, people are arrested and taken to jail in the United States. According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 700,000 people were incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails in 2016. The number shows how common it is to be arrested, and how likely it is that you or someone you know will go through the process.
If you find yourself in this situation, one of the first things you’ll need to do is post bail. Bail is a set amount of money that acts as collateral; if you show up for your court date, you’ll get the money back. But if you don’t, you forfeit the bail and may also be subject to additional charges.
The bail process can be confusing, but it’s important to understand how it works. Here are 10 things you should know about bail bonds.
- You Don’t Have to Post Bail Yourself
If you don’t have the full amount of bail money, you can contact a bail bond company. A bail bond is a surety bond that’s posted on your behalf; the company pays the bail for you and then acts as your guarantor. If you don’t show up for court, the company is on the hook for the full amount of bail.
- There’s a Fee for Bail Bonds
Most bail bond companies charge a non-refundable fee, typically 10% of the total bail amount. So, if your bail is set at $10,000, you’ll owe the company $1,000. This is the fee for their services; it’s non-negotiable and you won’t get the money back even if you show up for court.
- You’ll Still Owe the Entire Bail Amount If You Miss Court
If you use a bail bond company, you’re still responsible for the full bail amount. So, if you bail yourself out of jail and then miss your court date, you’ll owe the court the full $10,000. But if you use a bail bond company and miss your court date, you’ll owe the company $10,000 plus the $1,000 fee.
- Bail Bond Companies May Require Collateral
To get bail bonds in Salt Lake City or elsewhere, you may be required to put up collateral. This can be in the form of property, cash, or even jewelry. The company uses this as security in case you don’t show up for court and they have to pay the bail.
- There’s No Guarantee You’ll Get Your Collateral Back
Even if you show up for court and the case is dismissed, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your collateral back. The bail bond company may keep it to cover its costs. And if you don’t show up for court, the company can keep the collateral and use it to pay the bail.
- Bail Bond Companies May Charge Interest on Loans
If you can’t pay the bail bond fee upfront, some companies will lend you the money. But these loans often come with high-interest rates, so you could end up owing much more than the original bail amount.
- You Could Be Arrested If You Can’t Pay Your Debt to a Bail Bond Company
If you take out a loan to pay the bail bond fee and then can’t repay the debt, the company may send bounty hunters after you. These are people who are paid to find and bring in fugitives. They may even have the authority to arrest you.
- Bail Bond Companies May Have Their Licenses Revoked
If a bail bond company breaks the law or doesn’t follow regulations, its license could be revoked. This means it can no longer operate in the state.
- You May Be Required to Attend Drug Tests or Check-Ins
As part of the bail bond agreement, you may be required to submit to drug tests or meet with a probation officer for regular check-ins. These are designed to make sure you’re staying out of trouble and not using drugs.
- Bail Bond Companies Have the Right to Refuse Service
Bail bond companies are businesses, and like any business, they have the right to refuse service. They may do this if they think you’re a flight risk or if they don’t think you can afford to pay the bail bond fee.
If you find yourself in need of a bail bond, it’s important to understand how the process works. These 10 things will give you a better understanding of what to expect.
