Refuting Common Myths About Bail Bonds

There are few things in life that can be more stressful or scary than being arrested and charged with a crime. While the court system allows individuals to post bail so they can leave the jail until their scheduled court date, many people have a poor understanding of the process of securing bail. Very often, individuals will need the services of a bail bondsman to do this, but if you believe the following couple of myths, you will likely have an incorrect expectation for the services these professionals provide. This post seeks to refute those myths.

Myth: You Will Receive All Of Your Bonding Deposit Back After Court

When a person posts bail, this money will be returned as long as the person is in court for their trial. However, it should be noted that you will not receive this full amount back if you use the services of a bondsman. This stems from the ways that these professionals conduct their business, and there is really no way to avoid this. 

If the bondsman accepts a small deposit for the bail bond, there is a strong chance that this deposit will simply be retained as their service fee. For bondsmen that require high deposits, the fees will usually be subtracted from the deposit before it is returned to you. Luckily, this will all be clearly detailed in the contract you sign with the bondsman, so make it a point to closely review this document to know what to expect. 

Myth: Bondsmen Will Help You To Get A Lower Bail Amount

There may be times when the bail amount is set far too high for you to be able to afford. Sadly, some people assume that the bondsman will be able to work with the court to lower the amount. While this would be convenient, this is not possible, and most communities have strict regulations banning bondsmen from attempting to influence bail amounts. 

If your bail is too high for you to afford or get bonded, then you will need to hire an attorney. These professionals will be able to file motions with the court explaining why the bail is too high, and they may be able to get it reduced depending on the severity of the crime. 

When a person is arrested, one of their first concerns may be to get out of the jail so they can start preparing for their legal defense. To this end, bail bonds can allow individuals that would otherwise lack the financial resources to afford bail.