Why do bail bonds need references?

When you or a loved one is arrested, you may be required to post bail before they can be released. But what exactly does that mean? And why do bail bonds require references? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the role of references in obtaining a bail bond and explain why providing references is a necessary part of the process. 

What is a Bail Bond? 

Bail is an agreement between the court and an individual (or group) who posts money as collateral for another person’s release from jail. The bail amount is set by the court and can range from hundreds or thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. If the person being released fails to appear for their scheduled court date, the money posted as collateral will be forfeited to cover any fines or fees imposed by the court.  

A bail bond is slightly different. 

When a person cannot afford to post bail or does not want to use their own money to post bail, they can get a bail bond from a bail bond company. A bail bond company will charge the person 10% of the total bail amount, and afterwards, that company will post bail on behalf of the defendant. Although the 10% fee is non-refundable, it is often considered a more ideal method of posting bail. 

Related Content — Out on Bond vs Bail: Understanding The Difference

What Are References? 

References are people who can vouch for you and your character. When applying for a bail bond, references are people who can attest to your reliability and trustworthiness, making them an invaluable part of the bail process. They serve as proof that you will follow through on your promise to appear in court and take responsibility for whatever charges you may be facing. 

Related Content: Can a co-signer of a bond go to jail?

Why Do Bail Bonds Need References? 

The primary reason why references are required when applying for bail bonds is because they provide assurance that the person applying will actually show up in court on their assigned date. This reduces the risk of putting up a large sum of money without any guarantee of return—which is why references are so important in the first place. By providing reliable references, it makes it easier for the bonding company to trust that you will follow through with your obligations and not fail to appear in court. 

In addition, having reliable references allows the bonding company to obtain information about your background and any previous criminal history. This helps them make an informed decision about whether or not they should approve your application—since all of this information can also be used as evidence against you if necessary. By having good references on hand, it gives them an idea of what kind of person they’re dealing with and whether or not they should proceed with issuing a bond. 

When applying for a bail bond, it’s easy to overlook one key element – providing trustworthy references who can vouch for your character and reliability. Without these vital elements, it would be difficult (if not impossible) to secure a bail bond in most cases as there would be no assurance that the person seeking release from jail will actually follow through with their obligations by appearing in court on their assigned date. Therefore, it’s important to have reliable references on hand before submitting an application.