Posting of a
bail bond. This process involves a contractual undertaking
guaranteed by a bail agent and the individual posting bail. The bail
agent guarantees to the court that the defendant will appear in
court each and every time the judge requires them to.
For this service, the defendant is charged a percentage of the bail
amount. Before being released the defendant or a relative or friend
of the defendant, typically contacts a bail bondsman to arrange for
the posting of bail. Prior to the posting of a bail bond, the
defendant or a co-signer must guarantee that they will pay the full
amount of bail if the defendant does not appear in court.
Typically, a family member or a close friend of the defendant will post
bail and cosign. Collateral is not always required for a person to
be bailed from jail. Often a person can be bailed from jail on the
signature of a friend or family member. Cosigners typically need to
be working and either own or rent a home in the same area for some
time.
After an agreement is reached, the bail agent posts a bond for the amount
of the bail, to guarantee the defendant’s return to court.
If the defendant "skips", the cosigner is immediately responsible for the
full amount of the bail. If the defendant is located and arrested by
the bail agent the cosigner is responsible for all expenses the bail
enforcement agent incurs while looking for the defendant.
