Bail bonds agencies are firms that provide and post bail for people accused of criminal acts. These agencies enforce the bonds, and ensure that defendants are present in court. Should the accused fail to make their court dates, bail bondsmen can enlist the services of bail enforcement agents (BEAs), more commonly known as bounty hunters, who will find the defendants (referred to as bail jumpers) and bring them back to the relevant state to be tried.
Often, the bail amount exceeds what the defendant can afford on his or her own. Certainly, many people do not have the spare cash to cover the typical release fee of $1000 to $5000. Until this fee is settled (or until the trial commences), the accused is stuck in jail. Given how slow the legal system can work, most people want to leave jail so that they can prepare for their defense.
In these situations, the bondsman simply charges the defendant a set percentage of the amount of his or her bail. Here in Delaware, this is usually 10%. Assuming the defendant appears for the scheduled court dates, the courts will refund the initial bail amount to the bondsman who posted the bail. If everything goes to plan, the bondsman will receive his cash back, and keep the percentage paid to him by the defendant as profit.
In addition to engaging the services of an ethical bail bonds agency, defendants should also be consulting their lawyer, or meeting with a court-appointed attorney as quickly as possible. As far as deciding which bail bonds agency to work with, defendants should refrain from agreeing to any payment plans with unreasonably high charges.
If you (or a loved one) have been arrested, you will either be formally charged or released within 72 hours. Once charged and processed (being read your rights, etc.), you will attend your bail hearing. To determine a suitable bail amount, the court will consider the length of jail time the defendant is facing, and the severity of the offense (high bail amounts are imposed on people accused of violent crimes, and some crimes are not eligible for bail at all). Also, the court will take into account the defendant's personal wealth, whether the defendant is regarded as a flight risk, and whether the defendant has community ties. Often, the bail amount is set sufficiently high, so that the defendant is motivated to recover their bail collateral (see below) by attending future court dates.
Most bail bondsmen have access to particular securities, which allows them to furnish bonds to the courts. This is achieved by securing special contracts with creditors, like insurance firms or financial institutions, which enables them to access credit lines outside of regular business hours. This often means that defendants can walk free, just a few hours after presenting the court with the bond.
In Delaware, bail bonds are available around the clock. People who are released on bonds are normally better able to care for their families, and get ready for their forthcoming court appearances. Also, bail bonds help to reduce government costs and jail overcrowding, because fewer people need to be remanded in custody. Bail bonds in Delaware are available from FreeDelaware.org
Most of the time, bail bonds are provided by private agencies, and their charges are not refundable. The majority of these agencies require collateral payments too. By paying the defendant's bail, the bondsman exposes himself to the risk that the defendant may forfeit the bail, by not appearing in court. Collateral acts as a hedge against this risk, and helps to ensure that the bondsman recovers his capital. Once bail is refunded, after the defendant appears in court, the bondsman gives back the collateral, but holds onto the fees the agency has earned for its services.
Often, the bail amount exceeds what the defendant can afford on his or her own. Certainly, many people do not have the spare cash to cover the typical release fee of $1000 to $5000. Until this fee is settled (or until the trial commences), the accused is stuck in jail. Given how slow the legal system can work, most people want to leave jail so that they can prepare for their defense.
In these situations, the bondsman simply charges the defendant a set percentage of the amount of his or her bail. Here in Delaware, this is usually 10%. Assuming the defendant appears for the scheduled court dates, the courts will refund the initial bail amount to the bondsman who posted the bail. If everything goes to plan, the bondsman will receive his cash back, and keep the percentage paid to him by the defendant as profit.
In addition to engaging the services of an ethical bail bonds agency, defendants should also be consulting their lawyer, or meeting with a court-appointed attorney as quickly as possible. As far as deciding which bail bonds agency to work with, defendants should refrain from agreeing to any payment plans with unreasonably high charges.
If you (or a loved one) have been arrested, you will either be formally charged or released within 72 hours. Once charged and processed (being read your rights, etc.), you will attend your bail hearing. To determine a suitable bail amount, the court will consider the length of jail time the defendant is facing, and the severity of the offense (high bail amounts are imposed on people accused of violent crimes, and some crimes are not eligible for bail at all). Also, the court will take into account the defendant's personal wealth, whether the defendant is regarded as a flight risk, and whether the defendant has community ties. Often, the bail amount is set sufficiently high, so that the defendant is motivated to recover their bail collateral (see below) by attending future court dates.
Most bail bondsmen have access to particular securities, which allows them to furnish bonds to the courts. This is achieved by securing special contracts with creditors, like insurance firms or financial institutions, which enables them to access credit lines outside of regular business hours. This often means that defendants can walk free, just a few hours after presenting the court with the bond.
In Delaware, bail bonds are available around the clock. People who are released on bonds are normally better able to care for their families, and get ready for their forthcoming court appearances. Also, bail bonds help to reduce government costs and jail overcrowding, because fewer people need to be remanded in custody. Bail bonds in Delaware are available from FreeDelaware.org
Most of the time, bail bonds are provided by private agencies, and their charges are not refundable. The majority of these agencies require collateral payments too. By paying the defendant's bail, the bondsman exposes himself to the risk that the defendant may forfeit the bail, by not appearing in court. Collateral acts as a hedge against this risk, and helps to ensure that the bondsman recovers his capital. Once bail is refunded, after the defendant appears in court, the bondsman gives back the collateral, but holds onto the fees the agency has earned for its services.