Two Misconceptions About Bail Bonds That People May Have
Paying bail is a way to get someone out of jail that is awaiting a court date. If they do not have the cash on hand to pay for bail, then they will need to reach out to a bail bondsman for a bail bond. It is essentially a short-term loan used specifically for bail money and follows its own state regulations for how much can be charged to use one. However, there are a couple of misconceptions about bail bonds that people have, and it's important to know the truth about them.
Misconception 1: Bail Bonds Are Only Needed If You're Guilty
It doesn't matter if you are guilty or innocent when requesting a bail bond because guilty and innocent people are in the exact same situation. They are being accused of a crime and detained in jail until their court date. Using cash as collateral to get out of jail early is incredibly common, and not having that cash doesn't make you any more or less guilty. It just means that you cannot legally afford to pay bail and must use a bail bond. Since innocence or guilt is decided in court at a later date, anyone can use bail bonds.
Misconception 2: Bail Bonds Can't Always Be Used Based On The Crime
It's important to know who approves the use of bail and a bail bond and how it relates to a crime. A judge typically decides if a person should be allowed to use bail and how much that bail amount will be during an arraignment. Bail can be allowed for any crime, but a judge can deny it if they feel like the accused person is a flight risk. This means that they are likely to leave town and not return to court if released from jail. A judge can also deny bail if they feel the accused person would be a danger to the community.
As long as bail has been allowed then a bail bond can be used to pay for it. With that in mind, a bail bondsman doesn't have to approve everyone that requests a bail bond. The bondsman is within their right to deny a bail bond based on if they personally think the accused person is a flight risk. If someone is denied a bail bond, they can always try using another bondsman.
Contact a local bail bond service to learn more.
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