Many myths and misconceptions have been passed from one person to another regarding bail, the bail bondsman and events that happen in between them. If you are caught in a situation where you seek a bail bondsman to help you, it would be good for you to know the truth about the bail bond. Believing in myths would only derail you from your true objectives.
Here are the five common bail bond misconceptions you need to discard from your system:
1. Bail Bond Agents Do Not Accept Payment Other than Cash
We are in an age when credit cards and electronic payments are considered negotiable instruments. If a bail bond company chooses cash payments only for bail, they will be left behind. It’s their choice but they’re only putting their business to a big disadvantage with it.
Most if not all bail companies know this. They should accept payments other than cash because it’s the way the modern world lives. Besides, accepting credit cards and electronic payments are convenient and more secure.
2. Bail Bondsmen Are Authorized to Negotiate Bail Amounts with the Courts
Bail bond agents can only act as surety to the bail, but they are not authorized to haggle with the courts as far as bail amounts are concerned. The judge sets the bail amount based on certain factors which include:
- The gravity or seriousness of the offense
- The defendant’s criminal history
- The defendant’s likelihood of not returning to court to attend hearings
- The defendant’s likelihood of becoming a threat to the public
In some cases, a judge may change the bail amount especially if he sees that the defendant is not a fight threat nor a threat to other people. But only the judges have the authority to reset bail amounts.
3. Bailing out of Individuals is Limited Only to Family Members
This is another myth you shouldn’t believe in. Actually, anyone who is at least 18 years of age and has the financial capacity to post bail can do so. However, that person must understand that when he posts bail for someone, he becomes responsible for ensuring the defendant’s compliance to the bail conditions including his presence on all court dates. The defendant’s failure to comply with the bail conditions constitutes ground for the revocation of the bail and the person who posted it loses his money.
4. Bail Sets You Free – There’s No Need for You to Return to Court
This is actually a bad idea. Bail is not a payment for someone’s freedom nor a penalty for an offense. Rather, it is a guarantee that a defendant will not flee and be present on all court dates while his case is being resolved.
A bail is granted to allow a defendant to continue living a normal life while his case is in court. But he should adhere to the bail conditions or the court will forfeit it and have the defendant rearrested and charged with bail jumping.
5. Bail Bondsmen are Bounty Hunters as Well
Bail bondsmen are not bounty hunters; they hire bounty hunters to track down and retrieve fugitives who skip bail. Their main job is to post bail and expedite the release of someone arrested for an offense. This will enable the arrestee to avoid jail time while his case is in court.
These are the myths that prevail up to this day. You should change your outlook about the bail bond in order to gain peace of mind if you are dealing with a bail bondsman. One thing you must be sure to do is work with a licensed, experienced and trustworthy bail company like Adams County Bail Bonds whenever a loved one gets arrested.