What You Need To Know Before You Co-Sign A Bail Bond
What To Know Before Co-signing A Bail Bond
Nothing is worse than hearing that a loved one has been arrested and put in jail. You begin to panic over what has taken place, why it occurred, and what will happen next.
Then it suddenly hits you: how can you help? Before fully committing to it, just be aware that it is no small favor when you co-sign a bail bond.
It is critical for you to fully understand the rights and risks that you will be taking on in this type of agreement. A local bail bondsman like Didn't Do It Bail Bonds might require you to put some form of collateral forward, like a car.
Collateral is required so that the bondsman will be able to recover their expenses in the event your loved one does not show up at court. Some individuals believe that they will be left in a helpless situation if they co-sign a bail bond.
However, co-signers have several rights that help to protect them throughout the entire process. The following is what you need to know before you co-sign a bail bond:
You are agreeing that your loved one, the defendant, will show up at court. When you co-sign a bail bond, you basically are going to bat on the behalf of your loved one.
However, that means there are risks involved. After all, both your collateral and credit are on the line.
If the defendant fails to show up in court on their specified dates, that is a big problem. If you are worried at all that the defendant will fail to appear in court, then it is probably better to look into other options.
You agree to pay for a bondman's services – There is the option for co-singers to either arrange for a payment plan or make an upfront payment to the bondsman. Fees in Arizona are 10 percent no matter how severe the crime is.
The defendant is released from jail – The entire reason to post bail is getting your loved one released from jail. Do you have concerns regarding the defendant's release?
If you do, make sure to discuss that matter with the bail bondsman further. They can clarify things so you don't need to worry about potentially losing collateral, assets, and credit.
You can ask for stipulations – There are many co-signers that fail to realize this right of their that is so often forgotten. According to the agreement, you can request stipulations that are associated with the terms of the release of the defendant.
Let's go over an example. A loved one is arrested and then booked at the jail on a DUI charge. For many years, you have been aware they have an alcohol problem.
You may be skeptical about co-signing since there is a chance that the defendant might miss their court appearance. However, you have the right to request that your loved one be put into a substance abuse program following their release.
So you are playing an important role in helping them get their life on track again as well as getting them bailed out of jail.
You also have the right to return your accused loved one to jail – It might be hard for you to imagine working with the law enforcement officers to get your loved one put in jail again?
You might be shaking your head, and thinking to yourself that wouldn't ever happen. But just listen to us for a minute. Let's go back to the DUI example.
You pay the bail bondsman and then the defendant gets released from jail for the time being at least. However, right away your loved one reverts back to a lifestyle of substance abuse and alcohol.
So you start to wonder if your credit is going to get worse if your loved one doesn't appear in court. You are thinking it is completely unfair.
Fortunately, though, you are protected. In this situation, you have the right to ask the local bail bondsman to cancel the defendant's bond. It is the last resort but is an option that is available to you.
Why Choose Us For Bail Bonds 24/7?
Co-signing a bail bond is definitely one of the biggest decisions that you will ever make in your life. Especially if you didn't have any prior knowledge of bail bonds, it can be a very daunting process.
That is where we can help. Our agents with more than 50 years of combined experience, will be happy to guide you through each step of the process.
We don't treat your situation as just a number the way some other bail bond companies do. We believe people do make mistakes and that they deserve to receive the assistance that they need.
It isn't any secret why so many residents of Arizona rely on us for the emergency bail bonds. We will work as efficiently as possible on your case so your loved one is released from jail as soon as possible.
In terms of payment, you can rely on us to go above and beyond on your behalf. Whether you prefer to get a flexible payment plan set up or put down collateral, we can work with you. We also accept personal checks and all major credit cards.
If you have any questions regarding co-signing a bail bond, please contact us. Didn't Do It Bail Bonds provides DUI bail bonds, domestic violence bail bonds, and more.
My name is Darrel Luth and I am the proud owner of Didn't Do It Bail Bonds. I am a retired Marine and served my Country proudly. I have been in the bail bond business for over 6 years and am one of the most successful bail bondsmen in Arizona. I attribute my success to hard work, integrity, and treating my clients with respect.