Learn about the responsibilities of a bail bondsman before becoming one

A bail indemnifier, or co-signer, is a person with serious legal liability. If your friend or loved one has just been arrested, take the time to consider all the responsibilities that come with being a cosigner before you sign the legally binding contract to get them out of jail. You may be liable for hundreds and even thousands of dollars if you fail to comply with all court orders and bail conditions. Read on to learn what these responsibilities entail and who to call for reliable information on bail bonds in your county.

use a bail

Using a bond is the easiest and cheapest method of obtaining release from jail. But when you’re faced with the decision to get a friend or loved one out of jail, it’s a decision you should never take lightly. This is because the legal liability attached to the bail bond is a serious undertaking, and whether or not you face the ramifications of those liabilities depends on the choices of the person you are bailing out of jail.

Although you only pay a fraction of the total cost of your loved one’s bail premium, the bail bondsman covers the rest of the amount. So, if your loved one’s bail amount was $10,000 and the bail bondsman charges a 10% fee, you will pay a non-refundable $1,000 fee, while the bondsman pays the remaining $9,000 to the courts. As long as the defendant shows up for all scheduled court hearings and follows all court orders, the agent gets his $9,000 back.

But if the defendant violates any terms of the bail agreement or court orders, the bondsman does not get the money back until he or she can get the defendant to appear in court with the judge. They only have a certain period of time to do this, and are usually unsuccessful. If this happens, you are responsible for paying the surety the remaining $9,000 as stipulated in the contract. If you used collateral to purchase the bond, such as your car, boat, house, or other asset, you will have to give up that collateral.

who to sign for

To avoid any liability issues, be sure to only sign for people you know closely and can trust. Do not sign on behalf of someone if you have not known the person for more than a year, are unemployed, have a history of evading the law, have a criminal record, and are likely to commit further crimes or disobey court orders .