Answers to Frequently Asked Bail Questions
Table of Contents
- How long does it take to get out on Bail?
- Where are you located?
- Why don't I get my Premium payment back?
- When do I get my Collateral back?
- What happens if the person does not appear in court as promised?
How long does it take to get out on Bail?
The paperwork takes approximately 15-30 minutes. The release time after the jail receives our paperwork is generally one hour or less for local police stations and 2-10 hours for larger county jails. Generally speaking, the larger the holding facility, the longer it takes.
Why don't I get my Premium back?
A bail premium (the 10%) is the Bail Agents fee for posting the bond. This is spelled out in the contract that is executed at the time the bond is posted.
When do I get my Collateral back?
When the bond has been ordered exonerated by the court. This happens when:
- The charges are dropped.
- The person enters into a negotiated plea and is sentenced.
- The person is granted deferred entry of judgement.
- The person is found innocent at trial.
- The person is sentenced at trial.
Of course, the Collateral will only be returned if there is no outstanding balance due on the Premium. Some court jurisdictions send written confirmation of the bond exoneration quickly, others are very behind and may require some research.
What happens if the person does not appear in court as promised?
The bond will be ordered forfeited by the court and a bench warrant is issued for the person's arrest. The warrant will be entered in State and National locator systems sya the fugitive may be apprehended. The Bail Agency will receive notice of the missed court appearance. The Bail Agency normally calls the person's home, work, and other references to try to find the fugitive and arrange a new court date. If these efforts are unsuccessful, the Agency may then search and employ apprehension specialists (a.k.a. Bounty Hunters) to arrest the fugitive. As the co-signer you want to convince the fugitive to return to court as soon as possible. If the defendant reappears in court without delay you will only be liable for a small failure to appear fee and possibly court costs. Typically, the longer the defendant delays making a new court date, the higher the fees will be. If ultimately the defendant has absconded and can not be located within the time allowed by the court, the entire amount of the bond must be paid.
