Do Bail Bonds Cover All Court Fees?
Bail Bonds Cover All Court Fees
Bail bonds allow loved ones to post money on behalf of an accused individual in lieu of paying the full amount set by the court. However, many people have questions about the fees charged by bond agents, and whether they cover all of the associated costs. A bail bond agent charges a non-refundable fee known as a premium, which is similar to an insurance premium you would pay on a loan application or a life policy.
Typically, this fee is 10% or less of the total bond amount and is set by law. A lawyer can advocate to lower this fee if it is excessively high for a particular case. The bondsman also requires the accused individual and any co-signers to pledge collateral worth the full value of the bond. This is usually a piece of property, such as a house or car, which the bond company will keep in the event that the accused person fails to appear in court.
The bondsman will then file a bail bonds google reviews with the court in which they assume financial liability for the defendant and promise that the accused person will return to court as required. Depending on the case, the judge may approve the bond or deny it. The bond agent will then make arrangements with the court for a future appearance date for the accused person, and the bondsman will collect the premium plus any other required charges from the indemnitor.
Do Bail Bonds Cover All Court Fees?
When the defendant does show up for court, the bail bondsman will return any collateral that has been signed over to them. If the defendant misses a court appearance, the bond agent will be required to pay the entire bond amount to the court and will try to recover the accused person. This is why it’s important for the accused person to stick to all court conditions and appear as scheduled.
The courts set bail as a way to make sure that people who have been arrested will return to their court dates to avoid being convicted of a crime. However, studies show that this practice is ineffective and often leads to poorer outcomes for the accused individuals. This is especially true for low-income families, who struggle to come up with the money to pay for their loved one’s bond.
In addition, bail fees are not tax-deductible, and many people are not aware that this is the case. The cost of a bail bond can be prohibitive for some, and the amount of time that a person is held in jail can be even more devastating for those who cannot afford to wait for their trial. However, for those who can, it’s a good idea to get their loved ones bailed out as quickly as possible so that they can continue working and caring for family while they await their day in court. The sooner the case is resolved, the better the chances that the accused will have a strong defense against any allegations.