Misconceptions about the bail bond process can lead to confusion and stereotypes. If someone you know has been arrested, it’s important to understand the facts about bail bonds, especially those are often misunderstood.
Misunderstood Facts about Bail Bonds that You Might Not Know
1. Surety bail bonds help people from all walks of life.
Regardless of how much money the defendant or the cosigner have, a surety bail bond can help. Going through a bail bond agency can oftentimes be smarter than paying the bail in full. When you work with a bail bondsperson, you only pay a percentage of what’s due. That makes the bond process easier on the cosigner and more fair for everyone involved.
2. The words bail and bond are not really interchangeable.
Bail refers to the agreement from the court, while bond refers to the financial arrangement for that agreement.
3. A bail agreement may contain rules beyond a financial requirement.
A judge or magistrate may require additional rules before allowing a defendant to be released from jail on bail. Rules may include attending anger management classes or requiring the defendant to stay away from a certain person, such as in the case of a domestic violence situation.
4. Bail bondsmen cannot negotiate a lower bail amount.
This is perhaps one of the most misunderstood facts about bail bonds. Many families of inmates ask this question. The fact is, however, that only a judge can decide to lower a bail amount, and that’s rare.
5. Not every state allows private bail bonds.
While they are allowed in Michigan, some states do not participate in this practice. States that do not allow private bail bonds are Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
6. A bounty hunter has no boundaries within the country.
Unlike a police officer, a bounty hunter who is in pursuit of someone who has skipped bail may cross state lines in order to find that person.
Contact Us with Specific Questions
If there are other misunderstood facts about bail bonds you want to have cleared up, you can find many of the answers on our blog page. You may also contact one of our Port Huron bail bond agents online or by phone at (810) 605-5555.
