Have questions about how bail bonds work? Around the Clock Bail Bonds of Winston Salem, Greensboro and Burlington has all the answers you need.
We’ll start with what bail is, and what we need from you before we can begin the process.
How Bail Bonds Work
When someone is arrested for a crime, authorities will take that person to jail. After being processed, the individual will then be held in jail, or will have a chance to be bailed out. This is where our agency comes in. If it is decided an individual can be released on bail, the agency will put up a bond to guarantee that the person will appear at all court hearings.
We will accept money or collateral for the bond from the person or a friend or relative. If the bail amount is relatively low, a payment plan may be enough. However, if the bail is high, staking collateral may be necessary. Collateral can range from personal property to a business or home. Some people opt to stake their credit in exchange for bail.
Staking these things ensures that you will be committed to paying the bond amount back in full. This is how bail is made.
The agency then acts for the individual to have them released from jail, and assumes legal custody of the accused until the court date.
What should I know before contacting Around the Clock Bail Bonds?
There are some basic facts that you should know, prior to contacting us:
- The place of incarceration
- Name and inmate number of the individual
- The bail amount
Generally, this information is sufficient.
This makes it easier for the bondsman to contact the jail and post bail swiftly, and without snags. Time is of the essence! Don’t let your loved one spend more time behind bars than is necessary. Contact Around the Clock Bail Bonds as soon as news of incarceration arrives.
At Around the Clock, our mission is to help you and your loved ones whenever we are needed.
What Types of Things Can Be Used As Collateral?
Most bail bondsman accept these things as collateral for the bail bond to be covered:
- Real estate
- Jewelry
- Vehicles
- Personal credit & credit cards
- Stocks/bonds
Collateral is a way to assure the bail bondsman that the fees will be covered in the worst case, where the defendant does not show up for court. When all mandated court appearances are met, the court will return the bail money paid.
If you are offering up collateral for someone else’s bail, it is very important that they appear at all court dates. Otherwise, their failure to appear can jeopardize the collateral you have put up.
Will I Get My Bail Premium Money Back Afterward?
The bail premium is the amount charged on top of the court-mandated bail amount, which is the fee for services for the bail bondsman. This fee is non-refundable, since it covers a bail bondsman’s services and expenses.
This amount is typically a set percentage of the total bail assessed by the court, and is commonly known as the bail bond.
If you paid a cash bail, meaning you paid cash to the court to satisfy the bail amount in full, you will receive that amount back from the court once the defendant has satisfied all their court appearances. If the defendant does not show up for court or is arrested again after posting bail, the bail money is not refundable.
The same goes for a property bond. If you’ve offered the real estate value of property in exchange for a defendant’s release, it’s extremely important that the defendant shows up for court dates. If they don’t, the court can seize the property tied to the bond.
What happens if the bond is not repaid, or the suspect does not appear in court?
Once the bail has been posted by the agency, the agency has taken responsibility for the defendant. It is the agency’s duty to ensure the defendant appears on time for his/her court date.
If the defendant fails to appear, the agency then has the option to hire a bounty hunter to collect the defendant.
It is always best to appear in court on the proper date. Missing the court date makes it more difficult to advocate for leniency in sentencing, and can lead to additional charges.
Leaving the state or changing an address without notification can also jeopardize the suspect’s freedom.
Generally, the court demands that a defendant does not leave the area (or state) until all court dates are met. At that point, if the defendant is found innocent of charges they are released. If the defendant needs to leave the area prior to that point, thus must seek permission from their bail bondsman to do so.
Leaving without permission leaves them subject to being arrested again. That also means the entire bail amount is non-refundable.
Why should I choose Around the Clock Bail Bonds?
Our agency offers over 15 years of experience in serving the Triad. Our agency works quickly and confidentially to ensure the hurried release of your loved one.
Offering 24 hour service, it is our main initiative to provide excellent service in what we understand is a difficult time. With Around the Clock Bail Bonds, you have nothing to worry about. We will work with anyone, anytime, to post bail as soon as possible and minimize the time spent in jail.
If you are in need of a bail bond in Winston Salem, Greensboro or Burlington, come to Around the Clock Bail Bonds to get through this as quickly and painlessly as possible. We’re always here to help.
Is Getting A Bail Bond Public Information?
Being arrested is a matter of public record, and in many areas that listing will also show who you’ve contracted for your bail bond. Beyond that, though, all information discussed with your bail bondsman is confidential.