What to Know Before Signing a Bail Bond
If a close friend or a loved one is arrested and put in jail, you may feel inclined to secure a bail bond to help get them out. While it’s understandable that you want to help out someone you care about, it’s very important that you understand the obligations that come with signing a bail bond. Signing a bail bond isn’t as simple as just putting your signature on a piece of paper and your loved one is out of jail. There’s quite a bit more to the process. Here’s what you need to know before signing a bail bond: How Bail Bonds Work Bail bonds are similar to loans in that you put down a small percentage of the total amount and the bondsman or bail agent pays the remainder. You also need to provide enough collateral to make up for the difference in the event that the defendant does not show up for their court date. Collateral is similar to a form or credit or loan and can come in many forms, including your house, your car, jewelry, or other valuable assets. How Bail Amount is Det