When bonding with a loved one, The question of How much is it to bail someone out of jail is one of the main concerns. How much will the bail cost? Do I have options for premium payment? Once a decision is made to pay a bond, what does that mean for the indemnitor (person posting the bond)? What does an 8 or 10 percent premium mean, and how is the percentage determined? How can a person’s mind be put at ease about signing for someone else’s bond? These are some questions that people tend to ask when considering paying a bond for a friend or loved one. What are the risks, and what is their most cost-effective option? This article will address these questions and hopefully provide some much-needed clarification on how the bail bonding process works from the indemnitor standpoint. Let’s answer some of these questions and better understand families' processes and options for bonding someone out of jail.
HOW MUCH WILL BAIL COST?
It sounds like such a simple question, but many determining factors must be examined. Setting a bail amount is done at the presiding judge’s discretion and by the bail schedule. Depending on the person’s charges (misdemeanor or felony), bonds can range anywhere from one hundred to hundreds of thousands. This may sound like a lot, but let’s remember that when dealing with surety bail, the bondsman will take anywhere from eight to ten percent for the premium cost, which is the cost that must be paid for the defendant to be released from jail. For example, if the defendant has a ten-thousand-dollar bond, the bondsman may take eight or ten percent of that total amount. So instead of paying the whole ten thousand dollars, the family will be responsible for paying a premium amount of either $800 (eight percent) or $1,000 (ten
percent).
HOW IS THE PREMIUM PERCENTAGE DETERMINED?
A couple of things will play a role in determining the percentage of the premium that will be charged. If the defendant has previous cases with FTA (Failure to Appear), that can make a bondsman lean more towards collecting the full ten percent to add a better layer of security and a more significant premium amount put down upfront. Also, the nature of the charges can play a factor as well. Suppose the defendant has serious, high felony charges. In that case, the bondsman may decide it is in the best interest of their company to charge the full ten percent to ensure the defendant understands the seriousness of the charges they are facing and to have the more significant premium paid upfront. The whole point of paying a premium is to make sure a percentage of the total amount of the bond is collected. In Indiana, at least eight percent of the bond amount must be collected by law. Any lesser amount or any agreement to accept payment plans is a felony and is called credit bonding.
If a client is ever told they can pay less than eight percent or can do a payment plan, this is the act of credit bonding and is illegal. Never agree to do this, as it can result in legal troubles. It sounds like a good deal, but the cost of breaking the law is larger than merely paying the premium and paying a bond correctly. No “discount” is worth risking legal troubles and breaking the law. If the client pays eight or ten percent of a surety bond, the defendant will be released with the court's conditions. They may have additional conditions added by the bondsman they choose to ensure they remain in compliance. If a defendant stays compliant and completes their case, the total amount of the bond will not need to be paid.
If the defendant decides not to show up to court or go on the run, they put the indemnitor in a situation where either a more significant portion of the bond or the total amount must be paid. This is why it is always essential for the defendant to comply with the court and do their due diligence in resolving their case; running is never the answer and only temporarily delays dealing with the case. Taking responsibility and dealing with the case is always better than running and avoiding it. If a defendant does not comply, don't hesitate to contact your bondsman for ideas on rectifying the non-compliance. At Smith American Bail Bonds – Bail Bond Agency of Indiana, we understand that things can happen, from unexpected hospital visits to losing a loved one. If a defendant misses a court date, they should contact their bondsman immediately and convey this information to address the issue immediately.
At Smith American Bail Bonds – Bail Bond Agency of Indiana, we understand there can be stress related to paying a bond. Whether the stress comes from being able to afford the premium payment of eight or ten percent or the concern that the defendant may not comply, there are usually some concerns for the person signing the bond. The best advice we can offer on this is only to pay a bond if you feel confident that the defendant will do what they need to do to comply and complete their case. Never let anyone pressure you into signing for a bond. At Smith American Bail Bonds – Bail Bond Agency of Indiana, we pride ourselves on ensuring the indemnitor and the defendant understand the bail bonding process. As bondsmen, it is part of our job to clarify the bail bonding process and the risks associated with signing a bond.
If a client or defendant being bonded out has any questions, they should contact one of our agents and discuss any concerns. We are here to help in any way we can with the bail bonding process. There are never any “wrong” questions, so feel free to communicate. We want our clients to feel comfortable coming to us with any questions or concerns. We have agents available 24/7, so there is never a wrong time to reach out with concern. Remember, if the defendant complies with the court and their bondsman and completes their case, everything will be fine regarding the bond itself. Try to find comfort in that fact and remember that we are always here to help if things don’t go smoothly. For every problem, there is a solution, and at Smith American Bail Bonds, we are here to help our clients find a solution to their bail bonding needs.
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