FAQs About Bail Bonds in the State of Florida

A judge typically sets bail during a court hearing. In some cases, such as for minor offenses, bail may be set according to a predetermined bail schedule.

Bail refers to temporarily releasing a defendant from custody while they await trial or other legal proceedings. Bail is secured through the payment of money, a bail bond, or other property or assets that the court deems sufficient to ensure that the defendant will appear for their court dates.

A bail hearing is a court proceeding during which a judge determines whether to grant bail to a defendant arrested and charged with a crime.

The court holds bail money as collateral to ensure that the defendant appears at all scheduled court appearances. If the defendant fails to appear, the bail money is forfeited to the court. However, if the defendant appears at all court appearances, regardless of whether they are found guilty or innocent, the bail money is returned to the person who posted it, typically minus any administrative fees or charges.

A bail bond is a type of surety bond used to secure the release of a defendant from jail while they await trial. It allows the defendant or their family to pay a percentage of the total bail amount to a bail bondsman, who then pays the full amount to the court. The percentage paid to the bondsman is non-refundable and is their fee for service. The bondsman also requires the defendant or co-signer to provide collateral, such as property or a vehicle, to guarantee they will appear in court. If the defendant fails to appear, the bondsman can use the collateral to recoup the full bail amount from the defendant or their co-signer. If the defendant appears in court as required, the bond is exonerated, and the collateral is returned.

Bail refers to the amount of money or property a defendant or their representative posts with the court to secure their release from jail while awaiting trial. A bond is a financial guarantee provided by a third party, such as a bail bond company that promises the court to pay the full bail amount if the defendant fails to appear for their court date.

There are several types of bonds, including surety bonds, cash bonds, property bonds, citation releases, recognizance releases, immigration bonds, federal bonds, appearance bonds, and appeal bonds.

You may need a bail bond if you or a loved one has been arrested and cannot afford to pay the full bail set by the court.

Before contacting a bail agent, you should have some basic information about the person who has been arrested, such as their full name, date of birth, booking number, and the name and location of the jail where they are being held. It's also helpful to have a rough idea of the charges they are facing and the amount of bail that has been set.

When a person skips bail, the court may issue a warrant for their arrest, and they may be charged with a new crime for failing to appear in court. Additionally, the bail bond company that posted the bail may send a Fugitive Recovery Agent to track down the person and return them to custody. The defendant may also lose any collateral they put up for the bond and may be required to pay the full bail amount.

Generally, if the defendant is out on bond, they must obtain permission from the court or the bail bond agent before leaving the state or the country. Sometimes, the court or the bail bond agent may require the defendant to surrender their passport or limit travel.

If the defendant gets re-arrested while out on bond, their original bond may be revoked, and they may be taken back into custody. The bail bond company can also face consequences, such as forfeiting the bond amount or having to pay the full amount of the bond to the court.

Collateral is any property or asset pledged to secure a bail bond. Collateral can include real estate, vehicles, jewelry, or other valuables. Whether or not you need collateral depends on the policies of the bail bond company you choose to work with.

The premium is the fee a bail bond company charges for its services, usually a percentage of the total bail amount. It is a non-refundable fee paid by the defendant or their co-signer to the bail bond company. Collateral refers to property or assets pledged by the defendant or their co-signer to secure the bail bond. The collateral is held by the bail bond company as a form of security in case the defendant fails to appear in court and is returned to the defendant or their co-signer at the end of the case as long as the defendant fulfills all of their court obligations

To bail someone out of jail, you first need to find out where they are being held and their bail amount. Then, you can contact a bail bondsman who will charge a non-refundable fee, usually a percentage of the bail amount, and put up the full bail amount to secure the defendant's release.

If you can't afford the full bail amount, you can negotiate with a bail bondsman for a payment plan or reduced fee. You can also seek assistance from non-profit organizations or legal aid clinics that can provide financial assistance for bail.

Bailing someone out of jail in another state can be more complicated, but it is still possible. You can contact a bail bondsman in the state where the person is being held and provide the necessary information, such as the defendant's name, the jail's location, and the charges. The bail bondsman will then arrange for the bail bond to be posted and the defendant to be released.