After an arrest, the court will set your bail. You have to pay bail to be released from jail until the court date for your charges. When you show up for your court date, you'll receive your bail money back.

If you can't afford to post bail, a bail bond is a terrific alternative to make getting out of jail more affordable. Here's what you need to know about using bail bonds.

What are Bail Bonds?

Bail bonds are a type of insurance purchased by a defendant to secure their release from jail while they await trial. The bail bond fee is typically a small percentage of the total bail amount. This fee is paid to a bail bondsman.

If the defendant fails to appear for their court date, the bail bondsman is responsible for paying the full bail amount to the court. Depending on the amount of your bail, you may need to have collateral to use for your bail bond.

What are the Benefits of Using a Bail Bond?

There are several benefits of using a bail bond instead of paying your bail with your own money or staying in jail until your court date.

Posting bail lets you leave jail while you await your trial. This means you can continue working and fulfilling your responsibilities. It can take months for your case to go to court; in the meantime, you're losing money because you're in jail and unable to work and pay your bills.

Bail bonds reduce the financial effects of your arrest and reduce the amount of money you have to spend on your bail.

A bail bond also minimizes the time you spend in jail. Instead of waiting until you or your family can accumulate enough money for your bail, you only need a small portion of the bail to utilize a bail bondsman. This helps you mitigate the effects of the arrest on your family and personal well-being. 

What are Some Tips for Using Bail Bonds?

When using a bail bond, it's important for you to attend all of your court dates. Not only does missing court impact your ability to qualify for bail and the terms of your bail bond, but you'll likely incur additional fees and be charged with failure to appear.

If you're unable to qualify for a bail bond on your own, you can ask a friend or family member to post your bail.

Contact a professional bail bonds service in your area to learn more.