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What Is a Bail Bondsman?
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For different reasons, the bondsman topic has seen its highest exposure in the past few years. Some may agree with the bail system in place and the accountability factor to the Judicial Branch. While others may voice their disagreement with the bail process without considering a discussion. The questions below provide key answers about what bail agents do and their impact on the United States criminal system.
What Is a Bail Bondsman?
A bail bondsman is a person or agency licensed to post bail for someone arrested and held on bond. The bail bondsman is also known as a surety agent or bail agent. These licensed bondsmen act as insurance for those unable to pay the full bond amount to the courts. The service fee is usually between 7 and 10% in Connecticut. The bondsman can get people out of jail for a portion of the bond amount however the fee is non-refundable.
What’s the Role of the Bail Bondsman in the Bail Process?
The surety bondsman is essential for the bail process because it ensures people accused of a crime return to court. Without a surety agent, people released from jail may abscond from justice forever or could only be found in the commission of another crime. The surety service bail agents offer makes bail more affordable for all.
How Can a Bail Bondsman Get People Out of Jail?
After an arrest, the bail bondsman can quickly process your release from jail. The bonding process in Connecticut requires cosigners to sign the bond contract and fees to be paid before posting the bond. As soon as this is completed the bail agent can post bail and the person arrested is released with a future court date.
What Is the Fee Charged by a Surety Agent or Bondsman?
The cost of bail with a bail bondsman in Connecticut is 7% on bonds over $5,000 and 10% on bonds under $5,000. These fees are set by the State and are highly regulated by the Insurance Department. Bail money can reach thousands of dollars making it difficult for families to afford bail. To make bail more affordable, highly reputable bondsmen have the resources to offer financial alternatives. A commonly known payment plan for a bail bond is possible. A bail bondsman can charge as little as 3 percent of the bond, presenting it as the cheapest bail option in Connecticut.
Where Can You Find a Bail Bondsman?
Nowadays you can find bail businesses online, so search diligently and identify the right bail bondsman for your needs. Most agents may be localized to an area of service but will have a headquarters location that you can visit to ensure the business is real.
Another way to find a bondsman is by asking friends, family, or people you trust who may have had a great experience with an agency. If you are hearing a very low price, there is a strong possibility that those services are illegal, and you could be a victim of a scam. Compare state-mandated fees here.
What Are the Risks Associated with Being a Bail Agent?
There is a large financial risk involved each time a defendant is released on surety bail. Bail agents guarantee the courts that defendants will come back for court hearings. When they skip court, the bondsman or agency becomes fully responsible for paying the bond.
Working as a bail bondsman is very demanding. It’s a service that must be available 24 hours a day and may involve long hours at local jails and prisons. Sometimes it may require agents to travel to a few different cities on the same day. To be a good bail bondsman, the agent also must have strong interpersonal skills to help clients navigate the system during stressful situations.
How Can I Become a Bail Bondsman?
In the state of Connecticut, people interested in becoming a bondsman can visit the Department of Insurance for details.
Some of the requirements include:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Possess a clean financial record
- Completed the pre-licensing course
- Passed the state licensing exam
- Able to produce two character references
- Ability to pay the $250 initial license fee
- No convictions involving a felony offense or a misdemeanor offense related to theft, narcotics, or assault
What Are the Alternatives to Using a Bondsman?
Using a bail bondsman is the most affordable bail option for those arrested in Connecticut. Other ways to get out of jail in Connecticut include the percentage cash option or paying the full bond amount to the courthouse. These alternatives make you the payer to be your own bondsman by taking full responsibility for the bond amount.
The percentage option becomes the most expensive when the person you bailed out refuses to go to jail or can be found. The state has the power to come after you for payment. This may negatively affect your finances and any assets.
What’s the Difference Between Paying Bail With a Bail Agent and Paying It by Myself?
The main difference is the accountability factor. When using a licensed surety agent, the agency and its resources are on your side ensuring the defendant appears on all court dates. Most importantly, if they miss a court date, the bondsmen have the resources to bring them back legally. Posting the bail yourself is quite the contrary. It involves signing an appearance bond with the State of Connecticut agreeing to pay the full bond amount if this person released fails to appear in court. In some cases, citizens could face criminal charges including kidnapping if they try to force someone to go to court because they paid the state percentage. It’s a very risky situation.
In conclusion, with the services of a bail bondsman, you pay a non-refundable fee (a portion of the bond) but have peace of mind knowing your investment is ensured with a surety agency. Having 24/7 support and guidance after an arrest helps you get through this challenging moment with ease.
