How Bail Works
Posting
of a bail bond involves a contractual undertaking
guaranteed by a bail agent and the individual posting
bail. The bail agent guarantees to the court that
the defendant will appear in court each and every
time the judge requires them to.
For this service, the defendant is
charged a percentage of the bail amount. Before being
released the defendant or a relative or friend of
the defendant, typically contacts a bail agent to
arrange for the posting of bail. Prior to the posting
of a bail bond, the defendant or a co-signer must
guarantee that they will pay the full amount of bail
if the defendant does not appear in court.
Typically, a family member or a close
friend of the defendant will post bail and cosign.
Collateral is not always required for a person to
be bailed from jail. Often a person can be bailed
from jail on the signature of a friend or family member.
Cosigners typically need to be working and either
own or rent a home in the same area for some time.
After an agreement is reached, the
bail agent posts a bond for the amount of the bail,
to guarantee the defendant’s return to court.
If the defendant "skips",
the cosigner is immediately responsible for the full
amount of the bail. If the defendant is located and
arrested by the bail agent the cosigner is responsible
for all expenses the bail agent incurs while looking
for the defendant.