Life can take an unexpected turn in a matter of minutes and unfortunately, that turn can leave you or a loved one sitting in jail wondering what happens next. If bail has been set to an amount higher than you can pay, it may seem like the only option is to wait it out in a jail cell until a hearing. Thankfully, however, there are options in the form of bonds for getting you or a loved one out of jail to await the hearing.
What a Bond Is
A bail bond is a payment made by a defendant in a civil or criminal case that guarantees payment of bail at a fee and or in exchange for collateral. The main benefit of bail bonds Allentown PA is not having to put down the entire amount in cash yourself. If bail is set at $10,000, a bail bondsman would be able to pay that amount in exchange for a non-refundable fee, usually around 10% of the total bail. Once the case has been closed, regardless of the outcome, the bail amount is returned to the bondsman, but the fee paid to post bail by the defendant is not.
How It Can Help You
With bail amounts often being as high as $10,000, $20,000, or even $50,000, it is often unlikely the defendant’s friends or family will be able to post bail on their own. This is where bonds come in as a saving grace. A bondsman takes responsibility for paying the full amount after being paid the personal fee.
Why a Bond Can Be the Best Option
A good bondsman or bond company can make posting bail painless so that you have more time to focus on the outcome of the case. Even if you have the full bail amount on hand, allowing a bondsman to take responsibility for it allows you more capital to spend on attorneys, court fees, and more.
Having a loved one sit in jail unnecessarily for months during the court proceedings is painful and often times unnecessary with bonds. Hiring the best bondsman for your case should be the first thought when you or a loved one are swept up in life’s unexpected turns.