Wednesday, December 16, 2015

By Marci Nielsen


A bail bond is one of the methods that are used for securing the release of defendants from police custody. Defendants are usually awaiting trial for charges labeled against them. Family members, friends, bail bond agents, or the defendants themselves have to sign an agreement document before release. The document directs the court to retain a certain sum of money should the defendant fail to return to court for their trial. When one needs an agent in bail bonds Richmond VA should be given priority.

People whose work is securing the release of defendants from police custody by paying the amount stipulated by the court are referred to as bail bond agents. Their services become essential if huge crimes and amounts of money are involved making defendants unable to afford. Defendants have to pay back the entire amount plus a 10-20 percent service fee when the deal finalizes.

Once an agent starts working for the defendant, they assume all liability to pay the amount required. The defendant can now be referred to as a client to the agent. However, since the amount involved can be very high in certain circumstances, it becomes important that the client gives up collateral. Collateral guarantees that the client will honor the agreement and refund the agent the amount paid to the court.

One can give collateral in many different methods. Agents accept securities, jewelry, written guaranties from credit-worthy individuals, and title deeds. All possible risks arising from the agreement are covered by collateral. Usually the agent sells the property to retrieve what is owed to them. In the case of written guaranties, they may sue the guarantors to retrieve their money.

Clients are taken up by agents after considering certain factors. Some among the factors considered include the employment status, criminal record, and the residence of the client. Usually clients are categorized as either bad or good risks. Good risks are those with steady employment and no criminal record and have been living in their current residence for a long time. Agents are happy to sign such clients up.

Upon being hired by the client, the agent visits the court to post the bond. The court where the bail is posted must be the same one where trial is supposed to occur. Degree of crime and its nature dictate the amount of money is quoted. Usually bigger crimes call for bigger sums of money.

Upon the reception of the bond, a ticket is issued by the court clerk. The ticket notifies the police that the defendants has met the bail and is free to go. Following that notification, the police are obliged to release the defendant with immediate effect.

When the trial happens and the defendant appears in court, the liability under bail is terminated. Besides this circumstance, another situation under which liability is terminated is if the terms expressed in the agreement cannot be executed. This is possible only if a defendant is imprisoned, arrested, dead, or detained. This may happen in the same jurisdiction or in a different one.




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