Co-signers and Bail Bonds Then and Now

After an arrest, the process of being assigned to pay and paying a bail bond can either be simple or a multi-step process. Even though historically it was always a piece of property owned outright that was offered to the court. Now it is the defendant’s reputation and financial ability to pay that is determining the set of bail, there is always someone outside of jail waiting to help him or her. The defendant is dependent upon that help. However, from then to now, the possibility of bail is still determined by the severity of crime and whether the accused is deemed a danger to the community. 

When it comes to bail bonds, the co-signers are the wives, husbands, friends, cousins, parents, or co-worker(s) that receives the phone call in the middle of the day or night. Much like the collateral used historically, it is up to the friend or family member to come up with the bond percentage in order to get a bondsman to put forth the remainder. However, now the bondsmen represent middle men who represent the surety (initiated by the co-signer and defendant) with the courts on the defendant’s behalf. Nowadays, the co-signer has to do a little leg work with internet searches and countless phone calls to anywhere between one and twenty-one bail bond companies. 

As the co-signer you may have to call several companies just to find one that will take your friend’s case. The first, second, and third bondsman may decline because of the nature of the charges your friend is up against. Historically, the court would be the only determining authority on whether a defendant was a flight risk and should remain in jail. Today, flight risk may be the reasoning for a decline in conjunction with the previous charges he or she has faced. Bondsman can make their own judgment calls for whom they choose to post a surety bond with. This is why it can take several tries to find the right company for your particular situation. And when you do, you have to be ready to pay the bond percentage up front.

As a co-signer you are responsible for committing to the initial documentation that the defendant will be present in court for his or her trial date. You will also be the one to put up the 10 to 15% collateral to the bondsman. The person or company will accept cash, all major credit cards, and financing in the form of a payment plan. If you are able to choose cash or credit card that will be your payment for ensuring the bondsman payment of the remainder of your friends bail. But, if you opt for the payment plan, you are making two assurances. You are promising that you will continue to make the scheduled payments within a given time frame and you will get your friend to the court on time. Regardless of your payment method, the bail bond amount is singular and legally binding, so once you have paid you are clear to move on with your life. For your accused friend, this is only the beginning of his or her legal circumstance.