When you’re accused of a crime, the court requires you to stay in custody until your case is settled and you’re proven innocent or guilty. However, by having a financial agreement with the court and your bail bonding agency, you can be released from custody and fight your case from outside.
According to the severity of the crime, the court sets an amount for the bail. The defendant, with the involvement of a middleman, bail bondsman, or bail bonding agency makes this payment to the court.
Take a look at these four myths about bail bonds that need to be debunked:
1. Bail Bonds Can Be Made With Cash Payments Only
Don’t be fooled by those iconic movies where the defendant’s family is seen liquidating all their savings and gathering cash notes to pay to the bail bondsman. That is a false representation of how the bail bond service works.
No, you don’t have to pay in cash only. The bail bondsman you hire will pay the full bail amount for the release. You just have to reimburse a certain percentage of the bail to the bondsman, and that can be in the form of credit card payments or cheques.
Money isn’t the only way to pay off a bail bond with. Getting a loved one out of jail through bail can also be done through payment made in other ways. Land, property, and other valuable possessions are some of the things that may be offered as collateral.
2. The Reality of Collateral
Another fallacy that has to be addressed is the notion that you must put your home up as collateral. This isn’t always the case. Collateral is a way of securing the total sum of bail. Even if the bond is high, the bail agency may request a house as collateral. Most bail bonds, on the other hand, are issued with only a signature as surety. Signing the document is sufficient collateral for the bail bond.
3. Bail Bondsmen Deal With Shady Transactions
Bail bondsmen are frequently shown in movies as unscrupulous men who invade residences and scam their clients. However, things are quite different. Bail bondsmen play an important role in the legal system. They assist defendants who are unable to make their bail and save time and resources for law enforcement personnel.
4. Bail Amounts Can Be Negotiated With The Courts By Bondsmen
Bondmen are not allowed to discuss bail sums. The court determines the bail sum to be deposited based on the complexity of the allegation, the defendant’s prior criminal history, the probability that the suspect might or might not appear in court, and if the suspect poses a public safety hazard. The judge has the power to modify their judgment and set the bail sum in some situations since they’re the only officials who have that discretion.
Looking for a Bail Bond Agency in Gainesville, Florida?
Looking for a bail bondsman in Florida? Get in touch with Lee Calhoun Bail Bonds to help your loved one get out of an imprisonment situation. We have experience of fifteen years and provide 24-hour emergency services.
Call at 352-379-9100 or visit their webpage to learn more about their services.