When a person is arrested and suspected of a crime, the police take them to a local jail where the booking process begins. During booking, suspects have their mug shots and fingerprints done, and they are typically asked to make a statement. While awaiting their day in court, suspects are incarcerated unless they are granted bail. In this brief article, we will explain the bail bonding process and how it works.
What is Bail in Athens?
“Bail” is a financial arrangement made by a bonding agency on a suspect’s behalf. The bondsman or bond agent, acting in the defendant’s stead, makes arrangements with the court to secure the suspect’s release from jail before trial. The release is effected in exchange for collateral such as assets, cash or a bail bond. The bail amount is set at the discretion of the court, and the bond agent is responsible for making sure that the suspect appears in court as required. If the person doesn’t show up for court, the bond agent may employ a bounty hunter to find them.
Bonding and Bond Agents
When a bondsman works with, they put up a fee to get the suspect out of jail. The bondsman typically charges about 10% of the total bail amount, which is non-refundable even if the case is subsequently dismissed. Bond agents take collateral to cover the bail amount, and if a suspect doesn’t have sufficient assets, they may be able to get someone to co-sign for the Bail in Athens or put up their own collateral. When collateral is given, a 10% cash payment is also taken, comprising the entire bail amount.
If a suspect or defendant does not appear in court as scheduled, the bondsman can hire a bounty hunter as described above. The bondsman also has the legal right to sue the suspect for the amount given to the court as bail. A bail bond agency can also recover their losses by seizing assets that were given as collateral by suspects or co-signers. Bail allows suspects who could not otherwise afford it to be released from jail pending their criminal trials.
