How much do bail bonds cost?
One of the first questions people ask when they are arrested and bail is set is “How much do bail bonds cost?” The answer to this question depends on a few different factors. Let’s break down what impacts the cost of bail, how bail bonds works, and what the typical fees are for getting a bail bond.
What affects the price of bail?
Bail is set by the judge and can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors.
- The type of crime that was committed. The more serious the crime, the higher the bail will be.
- The flight risk of the person. If it is believed that there is a high chance that the person will not show up for their court date, then the bail will be set higher.
- The history of the defendant. If you have a lengthy criminal history, then you’ll likely get stuck with a much higher bail.
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What is a bail bond?
When someone is arrested, they are taken to jail where they will await their trial. If the person cannot come up with the money to pay for their bail, they have the option to get a bail bond. A bail bond is a loan that is used to pay for the bail. The person who gets the bail bond pays a percentage of the bail to the bail bondsman as collateral. If the person does not show up for their court date, the collateral is forfeited and the bail bondsman keeps the money.
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How much do bail bonds cost?
The purpose of a bail bond is to ensure that the defendant appears in court. If the defendant does not appear, the court will forfeit the bail and issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest. The bail bondsman will then use any collateral posted to cover the cost of tracking down and returning the defendant to custody.
For this service, the bail bondsman charges a non-refundable fee. This fee is typically 10% of the total bail amount, but it can vary depending on the state and type of case. For example, in some states, the fee for a federal crime may be 15%.
In some cases, collateral may also be required in addition to the premium. Collateral is property that can be seized by the bail agent if the defendant does not show up for court. This could include things like cars, jewelry, or houses.
Once collateral has been posted, the bail agent will usually work with the defendant to create a payment plan for the premium. Depending on state laws and regulations, there may be limitations on how much money can be charged for a premium.
Bailing someone out of jail can be an expensive endeavor but it does not have to break the bank. There are several things that affect the price of a bail bond including the severity of the crime, flight risk, ability to pay, and credit score. However, many companies offer financing options and discounts to make posting bail more affordable.
Looking for more bail bond resources?
We’ve got you covered. At Cowboy Bail Bonds, we help people throughout Kern County post bail fast, and we’d love to help you understand this process better. Check out our additional resources below and reach out to us if you have any lingering questions.