Occasionally, bad decisions can lead to an arrest. If you or a loved one has been placed in jail, you can rest easy knowing that prior to the agreed-upon court date, most incarcerated individuals can return home with the assistance of a bail bond.
If you require bail bond services in El Paso, Freedom Bail is here to help. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to learn more about our services to help free yourself or your loved one today.
What is Bail?
If you’ve watched any crime show drama, it’s likely you’ve heard the word bail following some unimaginable amount of money. But what does it mean? A bail is an agreement between the court and the defendant where the accused agrees to appear at all of their scheduled court dates.
But where does the money come into play you may ask? When bail is set to, let’s say, $50,000, it means the accused or their family has to pay that amount of money for the defendant to return home. If no one posts bail, they remain in jail until their court date and charges are determined. Most often, people don’t have $50,000 lying around, and that’s where a bail bond comes in.
How Does a Bail Bond Work?
A bail bond works as a loan between the person applying and the bonding company where you pay a percentage of the total amount of the bail. This can range anywhere between 10-15% depending on the company.
Contracts will be filled and list all of the agreements, expectations, costs and collateral to ensure the accused shows up to court. If the defendant does not show up to their court dates, a bonding company can hire a bounty hunter to track down the accused and return them to jail.
Once this is determined, the bonding company will need to know the booking number, charges, and location to bond the accused out.
Since arrests can happen at any time of day or night, at Freedom Bail, we offer 24-hour service 7 days a week to get you or your loved one out of jail as soon as possible.
How is Bail Determined and Set?
At the bail hearing, which is the first appearance in the court following the arrest, a judge will sift through many factors to determine and set the bail amount. This can include, for example, the severity of the crime, whether violence was used, the accused’s character and history, and more.
What are the Different Types of Bail Bonds?
There are four types of bail bonds:
- Surety Bail: When a bonding company, agent, or bondsman posts bail on the behalf of the accused for a fee.
- Recognizance Bail: The accused signs a written agreement with the court to follow set conditions and appear in court when scheduled.
- Cash Bail: When bail is paid to the court in cash by the accused or cosigner.
- Property Bail: When the accused or cosigner uses property (real estate, jewelry, or stocks) that is equal to or greater than the bail amount.
By showing up, any money or collateral provided will be returned to you or your cosigner. However, failing to abide by agreed-upon conditions or neglecting court dates can result in negative consequences such as the loss of collateral, money, and additional penalties.
Get Bail Bonds in El Paso with Freedom Bail
Whether you or a loved one is facing misdemeanor or felony charges, help is available to you at Freedom Bail. Contact us online or call (915) 877-9293 to hear how we can help you with your El Paso bail bond needs.