Bail Bonds are used to secure the release of an accused person on bail. These bonds are secured by the money or property pledged by the bond agent or bail bondsman, who acts as the surety for the accused. In return for the bail money or property, the accused person must pay a small fee to the agent or bondsman. If you would like to learn more about this, please check out Apex Bail Bonds of Greensboro, NC
A bail bond is a legal contract that the defendant, or his or her co-signer, must sign before being released from custody. This bond is a guarantee that the defendant will appear in court at future dates. It is important to understand what bail means before you decide whether to hire a bond agent.
A recent study conducted by the criminal justice reform clinic examined more than 100 bail contracts and legal documents. It revealed that some bond agents ignored those protections and included all sorts of additional fees in their contracts, including late fees, interest on delinquent balances, and renewal premiums that required the defendant to pay again if the case was not resolved within a year.
In some cases, the defendant doesn’t appear for court. In such a case, the bail bondsman will be able to sue the defendant for the amount of the bail bond. This could result in the loss of collateral and additional penalties. A bail hearing is when the court sets the bail amount. The judge will take into consideration the nature of the crime and the details of the case.
The bail bond industry can be risky and dangerous. Many states, do not allow bond agents to hold the accused for more than nine months before forfeiture. They are also subject to many media reports about bounty hunters using excessive force. It is vital that the defendant appear in court as agreed upon by the bail bond agent.
Generally, non-capital crime suspects can be released on bail, though this varies by state. However, a suspect arrested for a violent crime may be held in custody until the court hearing. Some judges may not allow bail for those who are deemed a flight risk or a danger to the public.
When it comes to bail bonds, they come in two forms: secured and unsecured bonds. Secured bonds require a third party to guarantee the defendant’s appearance in court, while unsecured bonds require the defendant to guarantee future appearances. A bond may also be secured by property or cash. This means that if the defendant fails to appear in court, the court will sell his property in return for the money.
A bail bond agent must be licensed in order to perform his or her duties. The premium is 10% of the bond amount and the deposit amount. A bail deposit cannot be more than three thousand dollars. After three thousand dollars, the premium will be 8% of the remaining amount or 6% of the deposit amount.