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To most people, the complexities of the judicial system and legal processes are foreign concepts. This can, unfortunately, make it much more difficult to understand the finer points of emergency bail bonds and the situations that call for them.
The language the judicial system uses can make things even more difficult to process. For example, what is a “bail bond,” and what’s the difference between the two terms? While questions like these may seem insignificant, oftentimes, they hold key information.
McAllen bail bonds agency, A-Quick Bail Bonds, near Hidalgo County Jail can clarify these details to help our clients better understand the language utilized in bail bond agreements. This way, you’ll be prepared in case any legal trouble comes your way!
What’s the Definition of “Bail?”
Bail is an amount of money determined by the court that a defendant can pay to be released from jail before their trial date. The money acts as a show of good faith that you will not miss your court date.
Bail amounts can vary greatly and range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. A few factors that affect the total include:
defendant’s prior criminal record (or lack thereof)
severity of the charges
defendant’s behavior in preliminary hearings
Occasionally, defendants can use other assets like property to cover their bond, though this usually comes with more rules and regulations.
When you can’t post bail on your own, A-Quick Bail Bonds near Hidalgo County Jail can be of assistance.
What Is a “Bond?”
If someone cannot afford to pay their bail, a bail bondsman can step in to post bail and get your bond. Essentially, a “bond” is an agreement you make that you will appear in court for the trial.
Thankfully, if you or your family cannot afford to pay your bail, bail bonds agencies will cover the full amount for a service fee of 10-15% of the total bail amount. This means that the bondsman takes responsibility for your agreement with the court. If you do not appear in court for your trial, this violates your bond agreement.
What Makes “Bail” and “Bond” Different?
Bail and bond aren’t the same thing, despite the terms frequently used interchangeably. In basic terms, bail is the actual total set by the court, whereas the bond is the agreement itself.
While it is costly, you get the benefit of a full refund if you post the total amount of bail on your own. Because you are the only one who takes on any risk, you are the only one liable to the court, which can be advantageous for some.
However, not all of us can afford such a sudden and costly expense, which is why McAllen bail bonds agencies like A-Quick exist. You or a loved one can pay a percentage of the total bail to a bondsman who will then take responsibility for the bond. However, in this instance, you will not see any sort of refund.
Watch out – defendants can often be made liable for additional court fees.
Get the Basics of Bail Bonds With Help From the Top Hidalgo County Bail Bondsman
Let the highly-qualified team at A-Quick Bail Bonds near Hidalgo County Jail be there for you when mistakes are made. We understand that you’ll be better off in any situation when you don’t go in blind.
Please feel comfortable reaching out to our very professional and knowledgeable bail bondsmen, available 24/7 to help!