2 Questions To Ask Before Going Through A Bail Bonds Service To Help A Loved One Out Of Jail
If you have a friend or family member who got into some trouble and was arrested, you may have decided to help them out by posting their court-ordered bail. To do this, you may have already looked up bondsman in your area and are ready to click on the first one.
However, before you start working with a particular service, you should make sure you have as much information as possible about them. When you first contact a bail bondsman, start your information-gathering efforts by asking them the questions below.
1. Do They Have an Original Copy of a Bail Bond License Obtained from the State?
One question you should ask when determining the legitimacy of a bondsman has to do with their licensure. Do they have an original copy of their bail bond license that was administered and stamped by the state?
When you look at the license, make sure the signature is in ink and that the state seal is present next to it. If the service has such a license copy, you can rest assured that they are authorized by the state to help people with posting bail.
2. What Fees and Interest Rates Do They Apply to the Bail Amount When Posting a Bond?
Another question to ask the bail bondsman when trying to decide whether to use them to help bail your friend or family member out of jail has to do with additional costs added to the bail amount. What fees and interest rates does the bail bond service charge in addition to the bail amount plus required court costs?
Each state has a set parameter that the bond service must adhere to when they are licensed. The interest rate amount should not be lower or higher than the state's standard rates. When the service stays within the state's parameters, however, you can feel confident going through the bail bond process with them.
When you go through a bondsman to help bail a friend or loved one out of jail, you want to obtain as much information about the service as possible. Make sure you ask to see an original, sealed copy of their bail bond license from the state. You should also ask about their fees and interest rates, which should not be lower or higher than the state's parameters. For more information and to obtain the answers to these and other questions you may have, contact a bail bonds service in your area, such as Santa Rita Bail Bonds.