If a friend or loved one has been arrested and you’re feeling overwhelmed about the bail bond process, here are three things you need to know about the bail bonds process in the San Antonio area:
- Choosing a Bail Bondsman
- The San Antonio Bond Process
- Multiple Locations Make it Convenient
Choosing a Bail Bondsman
There are a few things you should think about when you’re looking for a bail bondsman in the San Antonio area. First and foremost, you should only choose a bail bondsman who is licensed in the state you’re in. Ask them if they’re licensed and get their license number. You can confirm this information by contacting your state’s Department of Insurance. You should consider the fees charged by the bail bondsman. A reputable bail bondsman will usually charge a non-refundable fee that’s a percentage of the total bail amount.
Bail bondsmen may also require collateral to secure the bond, so it is important to understand what type of collateral is required and what will happen if the defendant fails to appear in court. Finally, it is important to ensure that the bail bondsman is available 24/7 in case you need to contact them outside of regular business hours. By taking these factors into consideration, you can choose a bail bondsman that you feel comfortable working with.
You’ll likely have a lot of questions when shopping around for the right bail bond agent. Make sure you ask any potential bail bondsman these seven questions before hiring anyone.
The San Antonio Bond Process
The bail bond process can be complicated no matter where you live, and the San Antonio area is no exception. If you’re new to the bail bond process, read our list of bail bond terms and definitions you should know.
The bail process gives a person who has been arrested and charged with a crime an opportunity to be released from jail while they wait for their trial date, as long as they comply with certain conditions and show up for every court appearance. Here’s how it typically works:
- Arrest: When a person is arrested, they are taken to the police station for booking.
- Bail hearing: The court sets a bail amount based on the severity of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history, and other factors. The defendant can either pay the bail with their own money or seek the assistance of a bail bond agency.
- Contacting a bail bond agency: If the defendant cannot pay the full bail amount, they can contact a licensed bail bond agency. The agency will ask for a percentage of the bail amount, typically 10%, as a fee.
- Filling out paperwork: The defendant, or someone on their behalf, will need to fill out paperwork and sign a contract with the bail bond agency. The contract usually includes the conditions of the bail, such as attending all court hearings. It’s crucial to understand the terms of the bail bond agreement and to ask questions if there is anything that is not clear.
- Posting bail: Once the paperwork is complete, the bail bond agency will post the bail on behalf of the defendant. The defendant is then released from jail.
- Court hearings: The defendant must attend all court hearings as required. If they fail to do so, the bail bond agency may have the right to locate and apprehend the defendant to surrender them to the court.
- Bail bond release: After the case is resolved, the bail bond agency’s lien on the bail amount is released, and the fee paid to the agency is not refundable.
It’s important to note that the bail bond process can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, and it’s always recommended to consult with a licensed bail bond agent or an attorney for specific guidance.
You may not know where to start or how to sift through all the information you may find online. To help you out, you can read our quick guide to help you post bail in San Antonio.
Multiple Locations Make it Convenient
Opting for a licensed bail bond agency that is located too far from your residence can cause inconvenience, compared to choosing a San Antonio bail bond agency like River City Bail Bonds, which has multiple branches. With multiple locations, a bail bond agency can serve a wider area, making it easier for individuals to obtain a bail bond. This can be especially useful if the defendant is arrested in a different city or county from where their loved ones reside.
Let’s look at an example: Suppose someone gets arrested in Seguin, Texas, and secures a bail bond from a local agency. In that case, they would need to travel back and forth to Seguin repeatedly to handle the bond, which could be a significant amount of driving time for someone residing on the southwestern side of San Antonio, Texas. On the other hand, selecting an agency with multiple locations means that you can visit the nearest location to handle the bond.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to secure a bail bond, River City Bail Bonds has 8 locations in and around the San Antonio area. Get in touch and get answers to all your question about the bail bonds process.
