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For many people, bail bonds can be a great alternative to paying cash bail. In fact, without the help of a bail bondsman, some individuals may not even be able to successfully post bail for their loved ones. However, it you are planning to seek out a bail bond, it is important to ensure you fully understand the way these bonds work before you obtain one. By taking the time to review the three facts below, you can make sure that using a bail bond is the right choice for you.  

#1: A Bail Bond Is A Loan

When paying cash bail, you are directly paying the amount of your loved one's bail to the jurisdiction that is holding them. When you obtain a bail bond, the bail bondsman is making this payment on your behalf using funds that they are loaning to you. As with any other loan, you can be required to repay these funds. That is why the bondsman will require information regarding your income and personal references before approving you for a bail bond. If the amount of the loan exceeds a certain threshold set by the bondsman, they may also require you to secure the loan using collateral. 

#2: You Are Responsible For The Terms Of A Bail Bond

While the bond you obtain may be used to secure your loved one's release from custody, you are the one who is held responsible for this bond. What this means is that if your loved one fails to appear in court, you are the one who will be on the hook for the full amount of the bond, not the person who was bailed out. For this reason, you will want to refrain from posting bail for anyone you don't know or are not sure you can trust to make all of their court appearances and comply with any instructions the court gives. 

#3: Bail Bond Fees Are Nonrefundable

Most people are familiar with the fact that bail funds are typically returned to the person who posted bail once a case has been closed. In some cases, people mistakenly believe that the fees they pay upfront when obtaining a bail bond work the same way. This is not the case. This is because these fees are not used to post your loved one's bail. Instead, these fees are the cost of the bail bondsman's services. Consequently, this money is not refundable even if your loved one follows through with all of the conditions of their release. 

Contact a local bail bond service, such as Steele Boys Bail Bonds, to learn more.