If someone that you know was arrested and has already seen the judge who set a bail amount, they may have contacted you asking whether or not you would help process the bond and get you out of jail. If so, make sure that you ask yourself the following questions before you visit the bail bonds agent and make the arrangements.
1. Can You Trust the Person You Are Bailing out of Jail to Follow the Requirements?
One of the most important questions that you can ask yourself before you agree to bail your friend or family member out of jail has to do with trust. Do you trust that the person will meet the requirements set forth by the judge and will make their court appearances?
If you know the person well enough to be sure that they will not violate the bail requirements or run, you will probably be safe helping them out. However, if you think they may get into trouble or skip out on their court dates, it is better to decline to help them.
The reason you should be cautious before posting bail for someone is that you will be held responsible for the bail amount if they do not appear in court or get into trouble while they are out. You would then lose whatever collateral you put up for the bond, and you would have to pay whatever is left over that the collateral does not cover.
2. What Collateral Do You Have That You Can Use for the Bond?
If you have decided that you wish to help the person by getting them out of jail, the next question you should ask yourself is whether you have the means to do so. What collateral do you have that you could use against the bail amount?
Typically, collateral that is accepted for a bail bond is the deed to your house or a clear title to a newer vehicle that has no payments attached. Sometimes, you can use other items, such as expensive jewelry, but this depends on the particular company's requirements.
Asking the above questions to yourself before you decide to bail someone out of jail can help you determine if you are really able to help them. If you are ready to go through the process or have further questions about what is expected of you and what you will need, speak with a representative of a bail bond company, like All Star Bail Bonds.
