About Bail Bonds

A bail bond is when a suspect is released in substitute for money. The money guarantees that the defendant will keep the scheduled court date or dates. Trials can often take long periods of time to go through the court system. Therefore, a bail allows an accused to be released from jail while awaiting trial.

In most cases, for crimes that are not regarded as serious, the defendant will be able to post bail immediately. On the other hand, for serious crimes, the defendant will have to wait for a bail hearing.

The wait is usually no more than 48 hours. A judge at the hearing will determine whether the defendant may be released on a bail bond. The judge will also determine the amount of the bail bond. Usually, once the amount for the bond is decided by a judge, the accused is set free when the bond is posted in cash or other assets. In such cases where the defendant does not have money for bail, they can apply for bail through a bail bondsman.

Depending upon the state the bail bondsman takes a percentage up to 15% of the bond amount. The bondsman will then put up the remaining money, so the accused can be released from jail. If either bail or a bail bondsman is not affordable, the defendant can submit an appeal through their lawyer.