For many people getting a bail bond, the first time is often the most difficult. Asking the right questions before finishing the transaction can be very reassuring. If you’re posting bail for a friend or loved one, ask these questions to help you get through the process.
1. How Much Will This Cost?
In Nevada, the bail bondsman may charge 15 percent of the bail amount. A bail bondsman who charges more or less than 15 percent is not following the law and may not be employed by a legitimate business. Always ask how much the bond will cost when trying to decide which business is right for you.
In addition to the 15 percent, the bail bondsman may also charge a few nominal fees to recoup costs associated with the bail transaction. These fees can include notary fees, travel fees, and guard fees.
2. Are You Licensed?
Nevada bail bondsmen are required to be licensed. Bondsmen cannot get a license without meeting certain requirements. They are required to be over 18 years old, cannot be employed by a jail, must not have been convicted of certain crimes, and so on. Bail bondsmen also need to have lived in Nevada for one year at minimum.
This license is designed to protect you, the consumer. Hiring a bondsman who is not licensed could leave you vulnerable to a fraud or scam. When talking to bondsmen, ask them about their license.
Get the license number, then look it up on the Nevada Division of Insurance website. When you look up the license, check that the name on the license matches the name of the bondsman. If the license is expired, inactive, invalid, or if the name on the license does not match, do not hire that bondsman.
3. How Do Bail Bonds Work, and What Is the Process?
Before you complete the transaction, make sure you understand exactly how the bail bond procedure works. A typical bail experience goes like this:
- You will pay the bail bondsman the 15 percent charge for posting bail and whatever fees that bondsman charges. In addition, you might need to sign a signature bond. This shows the bondsman that you can pay for the bail if the defendant does not show up in court.
- After the payment is complete, the bondsman will finish the transaction by notifying the jail and hand delivering the defendant’s bail paperwork, the defendant will then be released. The defendant must show up for their court date, whenever that may be. If the defendant does not show up, you could owe the entire bail amount to the bondsman.
4. How Long Does It Take to get a Defendant Out of Jail?
The length of time depends entirely upon the circumstances and the jail where the defendant is being held. However, you should be able to find out the bondsman’s timeline by asking how long it usually takes to complete their end of the deal.
Once the bondsman has done their part, what happens next is out of the bondsman’s hands. Your bondsman may give you an estimate of how long it may take to get the defendant out of jail, but they have no way to know exactly how long the process will take.
Be wary of any bondsman that makes a guarantee. This is a sign that your bondsman is telling you what you want to hear.
5. What Happens If a Defendant Doesn’t Show up in Court?
If the defendant misses a court date, the bail bondsman will turn to you to find out where the defendant is. Many bail bondsmen want you to maintain open lines of communication. If the defendant has a good reason for not showing up in court, the situation may be rectified if he or she works with the bondsman.
If the defendant does not show up or turn themselves in, you may lose everything you put up for collateral.
If you’re concerned that the defendant may miss a court date, contact your bail bond company as soon as possible to rectify the situation. Your bail bondsman can help you troubleshoot the situation so you can protect yourself.
Need More Information? Contact a Reputable Bail Bond Company Today
If your loved one has recently been arrested and you’re not sure where to turn, get in touch with All Star Bail Bonds as soon as possible. We can walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
At All Star Bail Bonds, we want to make the process easy for you. Contact us to find out more about securing a bail bond for someone you know.