What is a surety bail bond?
A bail bond is a three-party contract between the courts, the bondsman, and the Indemnitor. It is the bondsman who guarantees to the court that the accused when released on bail will be present for each and every court appearance in the future. In turn, the Indemnitor guarantees to the bondsman that he/she will make sure that the defendant goes to court when required. For this “bond contract,” the bondsman charges a percentage of the total bond.
How much does a bail bond cost?
In Florida state court, the premium is 10% of the bond value, which is the same for every bondsman.
Is the premium refundable?
No. The bail bond fee is fully earned once the bond is posted for the defendant and he/she is released or transported to another facility, as per Florida law.
What is collateral?
Collateral is anything of value that is provided to the bail agent as security for the bond.
What can be used for collateral?
Collateral can be your property, land, cash, or anything of value. In some instances, bank CDs, stocks, and bonds may be utilized.
When is the collateral returned?
The collateral will be returned once the bail agent receives a bond discharge from the court. A bond discharge is a document that officially releases the bail agent from any further responsibility on the bond. It is required that your collateral be returned within 21 days after receiving a bond discharge notification.
How long does it take to get released from jail?
County jails usually release the defendant within 2-8 hours of the bond being posted. In some instances, due to volume, it can take as long as 12-24 hours.
How do I know when the defendant has to go to court?
All courts notify the defendant by mail of their court dates. The clerk of court will also notify the bail agent of the court dates. However, it is your responsibility to make sure the defendant knows about the court date and appears. As a courtesy, someone from our office will notify you and the defendant the day before the court date.
Can I finance part of the bail bond fee?
Perhaps. Each circumstance is unique; therefore, we will review with you your particular circumstances and then offer possible solutions.