Bail Bond Scams And How To Avoid Them!
You Can Avoid Being Victim Of Bail Bond Scams. Bail Bond Scams Cost Victims Thousands Of Dollars. In November 2020, a second arrest was made in a bail bond fraud case. The person along with an accomplice committed bail bond fraud. This case began exposing possible bail bond scams that can happen. These scammers prey on people in need of bond help. This leaves many people wondering how to ensure they are using a legit bond service. Therefore, BailOption wants you to know what to look for and how to avoid these scams. Who Issues the Bond The first thing to understand about receiving a bail bond is who issues the bond. In some of the fraud cases, the person represented themselves as a police officer. Police officers do not issue bail bonds. Only the court has the authority to set bond amounts. The only people you need to deal with are court, your lawyer and your bail bondsman. The police do not handle any money when it comes to a bond. The court clerk handles all transactions. The court clerk is also required to document document all funds going in and out of the court. You or your friend can contact the bondsman once bail is set by the court. The bondsman will meet with the person paying for the bond. The BailOption bondsman will meet you in jail if necessary. The BailOption bondsman will bring you the forms that need to be signed regarding the bond and the contract to pay the bond. When Does The Court Issue the Bond Issued In Florida, bond amounts can be set at the time of arrest and booking. Many counties have a set fee schedule for different criminal offenses. These schedules are based on not only the crime but also on certain criteria the arrested individual must meet. If the criteria are met, then the fee is then set. This helps the court system by cutting down on the need for larger dockets of people the judge must see. It also helps with reducing the amount of time someone needs to stay in already overpopulated jails. When the bond is issued for the crime, you are notified during the booking process. Bondsmen have access to the records of the arrest and can bring up the arrest with your or your loved one’s name. They can see the crime and can tell you or the loved one the amount needed to bond out of jail. This means that the first phone call can be made to a loved one to handle the bail issue or to the bondsman to start the bonding out process. Will The Bail Bondsman Meet Me At The Jail To Sign The Bond Paperwork? The bail bond can be signed at the jail or by a loved one at the bail bond office. A bail bondsman will not come to your home. In the fraud cases that have come to light, the fake bondsman would come to the person’s home and oftentimes offer their services before the loved one had sought out assistance themselves. When you are dealing with a legitimate bail bondsman, you will find that signing the paperwork and posting the bond follows a specific process. For example, you or a loved one will have to reach out to the bondsman first. Once this is done the bondsman will prepare the paperwork and meet you or the loved one at the jail. When the paperwork is signed then the bond is posted. This involves several steps that deal primarily with the bondsman and the jailers or corrections officer. When the bond is paid and posted, you will be released from jail. The key point to remember to avoid scams is that you have to reach out to the bondsman first. They will not reach out to you first. Secondly, confirm the bail bond office’s legitimacy and location through research and reviews found on major search engines and state government websites. Don’t Fall Victim To Bail Bond Scams? BailOption Can Help You! Reach Out To Us Today! The above mentioned tips will help a BailOption bail bondsman get you out of jail as quickly as possible. If you would like to learn more about how we can assist you, contact us today through the website. You can also call us directly at (800) 524-0684. BailOption representatives also speak Spanish!
Bailing Someone Out Of Jail?
Bailing Someone Out Of Jail? 5 Questions Everyone Should Ask Before Bailing A Friend Or Loved One Out Of Jail Are you considering bailing someone out of jail? Perhaps, a friend or a loved one? When an arrest happens there is the immediate feeling that events are spinning out of control. You may believe that the system is unfair or cumbersome. The court system is cumbersome. After all, it’s system designed by lawyers for lawyers. The state you are in sets guidelines for bail and bond requirements judges must follow. The state also sets the rules detainees are required to follow. So be patient. Listen to your attorney and your bail bondsman. Your friend or loved one will be out of jail soon. Learn The Bail Bond Process Before Bailing Someone Out Of Jail You may feel like getting someone out of jail gets tedious. The first issue is to determine if your loved one will be eligible for bail. The judge hearing the case sets bail. Setting bail is, of course, up to the judge in each case. Will The Court Release The Detainee On His Or Her Own Recognizance? The judge may grant this request. However, it depends on the severity of the charges. He or she may also take into consideration the detainee’s ties to the community. In addition, the court will also review any past run-ins with the law. When a detainee immediately placed on probation when he or she gets a recognizance bond. The court will require the detainee to undergo drug and alcohol monitoring with a probation officer. The court will require the detainee to pay for these tests. A third party bail bond may be a better route for the detainee. Bail bonds can end up costing less money. How Big Of A Down Payment Do I Have To Pay For Bailing Someone Out Of Jail? In general, there are two types of bail. A cash bond which is a deposit the full amount of the bond. The court will refund the bond after the detainee makes all court appearances and after all court fees are paid. A surety bond is an arrangement between a bail bondsman, a purchaser, and an insurance company. Typically, the down payment required for a surety bond will range 10% to 20%. Who Can Secure A Bail Bond? If you are 18 years of age or older, you can secure a bail bond on anyone’s behalf. You don’t have to be a relative. Be sure to provide your name and address to the court when using your own cash to pay the bond. Of course, not everyone is going to have the cash on hand to bail someone out of jail. That’s where a bail bond from a bail bonds company comes into play. It can even be a better option than paying upfront with your own cash! Instead of depleting your savings, you can get the money to bail out your loved one at very reasonable terms. How Long Does It Take To Process A Bail Bond? First, the defendant must attend a hearing and wait for a judge to set bail. Many bail bond agents operate 24 hours a day or have extended hours because people may get detained in Florida at any time. Once the judge sets a bond amount, a BailOption agent can help you speed up the process. Police usually take two to four hours to book the detainee. Once the bond is posted it can take four to 12 hours for the detainee to be released. Also note that if this is the first time your loved one has been arrested, it will typically take longer. Under What Circumstances Am I Liable For The Bond? Depending on the size of the bond or any unusual circumstances, you may be required to use collateral to secure the bond. In this circumstance, you should not attempt to secure a bond using an asset for collateral that you cannot afford to lose. For example, some bond purchasers use their home or vehicle as a form of collateral. Once the detainee is released from jail, he or she may leave the area or just not attend all court hearings. The risk of losing your collateral is determined by your ability to get this person to all court dates, and he or she may not cooperate. In most situations, though, you are not required to use collateral to secure a bond. You are, however, liable for the bond as soon as your loved one walks out the doors through the final disposition in court where the charges are dismissed, the detainee is given probation, or they are sentenced. Bailing Someone Out of Jail? BailOption Can Help You! Reach Out To Us Today! The above mentioned tips will help a BailOption bail bondsman get you out of jail as quickly as possible. If you would like to learn more about how we can assist you, contact us today through the website. You can also call us directly at (800) 524-0684.