The 3 Most Important Things You Need to Know About Bail Bonds
So, you’re thinking of co-signing a bail bond, and you’re wondering if there’s anything special you should know about Phoenix bail bonds. When you append our signature to a bond, you’re agreeing that you will be held fully responsible for paying the bond off in full. If the accused fails to show up on court day, you’ll be responsible for paying off the bond. It is, however, a great reprieve for the accused if they are unable to pay off the bond on their own.
photo/ Johannes Plenio
All the same, it’s a big responsibility if you’re considering it, so there are some things you should know right off the bat.
1. Not Everyone is Allowed to Co-sign Bail Bonds
The laws tend to change from one state to the other. However, there are general criteria which you have to meet to be eligible to co-sign a bail bond. To start with, you have to be a citizen of the United States. You also need to have stable employment, a good credit record and an established residence. You can talk to your nearest bail bond agent to find out if you’re eligible to co-sign.
2. You Can Spell Out Your Stipulations Before Co-signing
You may be hesitant to sign a bail bond when the accused is someone you know very well, such as a loved one or a colleague. You may fear that signing their bail bond may encourage them to return to their old ways. In such cases, it would probably be a good idea to spell out your conditions before signing. This may include the requirement for the accused to go to a rehabilitation program for whatever is ailing them or even simple therapy. You can even cancel the bond with the bondsmen if, for whatever reason, you feel uncomfortable about signing or the accused has given you reasons to feel suspicious of their activity since being released.
photo/ Edar via pixabay
3. It Is a Huge Responsibility
Bailing someone out of jail is about much more than promising to make a certain payment when he or she fails to appear on the court date. It is crucial for you to know and understand that now you’re fully responsible for the other person and should do everything in your power to ensure he or she shows up to court on the due date. If the accused makes an attempt to flee and becomes a fugitive, then you also have the responsibility to give this information to the bondsmen immediately so they can begin efforts to recover them as soon as possible. Additionally, if the person flees, and you know about his or her whereabouts, it’s important to inform the bondsmen so they can retrieve the accused as soon as possible. All the same, you should do your best to avoid such a scenario. It is better for the accused to appear in court than to have bounty hunters on their tail. This is especially true if the person is a loved one.
Author: Bruno Souza
