How the bail system generally works is that in order for the defendant to avoid pre-trial detention in jail, but at the same time be assured of appearing in court for trial, bail is usually set that the defendant has to pay in order to be released.
This is where a bail bond comes into play. In case the bail amount set by the court is deemed too high by the defendant, they have the option to avail of a bail bond through a bail bondsman.
In this scenario, the bail bondsman will be the one who pays the full bail amount to the court; in return, the defendant only has to pay the bail bondsman a small fraction of the original bail amount and then successfully appear in court for trial.
Thus, the defendant gets to be released in the meantime for a fraction of the cost. This means a rising bail bonds industry in Wake County, NC, with multiple players.
Thus, should you ever need to come into contact with the bail system, it is important to engage the services of a bail bondsman who is reliable and trustworthy. Here are some things to consider when choosing a bail bondsman or a bail bond company whose services you wish to engage:
The Paperwork
It is always good to familiarize yourself with the paperwork regarding the bail system if only so you are well-informed just in case the time comes to deal with it. Moreover, having a general knowledge of the paperwork can allow you to discern if a bail bondsman is working in your best interest or not. It also allows you to be on top of the entire process so that nothing will catch you by surprise throughout the ordeal.
The Rates
The industry standard for the bail fee a defendant must pay to a bail bondsman is around ten percent. However, some bail bond companies might ask for a lower fee, while some might charge higher. It is good to know what the different rates out there available to you are.
At the same time, it is recommended you consider other services the bail bond company might also provide and decide if the package is worth the overall rate being asked for. This helps you get the best deal out of your bail fee.
The Connections
Your journey with the court does not stop after you have made bail. Bail only acts as a deposit in order to guarantee that the defendant will appear again in court come trial. Thus, while the defendant is out on bail, the work continues on preparing the defense arguments.
Most bail bond agencies have existing connections with lawyers who can assist in this area. If you do not yet have a lawyer, it is worthwhile to look at those connected with each respective bail bond company to decide which lawyer will help the most. This ensures that your bail fee will not go to waste and guarantees the best shot at proving innocence.
While going through the bail system is by no means an easy task, having a bail bondsman can help ease the burden off your shoulders. So it is best to know how to make the right choice of a bail bond agency so that this difficult time can pass over as smoothly as possible.
