September 19th, 2019 | Updated on June 29th, 2022
When the person you love gets arrested and goes to jail, the first thing you would want to do is help that person get out of jail. How will you do it? You can do this by posting bail.
What is bail? Bail is a sum of money or a piece of property that you will give to the court so the defendant does not need to remain in jail while their case makes it way through the criminal justice system.
However, bail amounts vary and can sometimes be very expensive. But with the help of bail bond companies like Bob Block Bail Bonds, you can get the bond posted for a fraction of the cost.
Before choosing a bail bond company, you need to consider some important things. We have put together three tips to help you find the best bail bondsman.
First things first, a professional bail bondsman needs to be licensed.
You must find not just the most popular bail bondsman in your area, but a bail bondsman that is in compliance with the requirements of the state.
Also, make sure that the license of the bail bond company is in accordance with the place of arrest. For example, if the person was arrested in Topeka, the bail bond company must be licensed to operate in Topeka.
Why is this important? Being licensed in one state does not automatically give you permission to operate in another state. Additionally, never hesitate to ask the bail agents if they have a restricted license due to bad conduct or if any of their clients have filed a case against them.
An honest and reliable bondsman will be upfront in answering your questions. You can also ask the Department of Insurance whether the company you are pursuing is registered and if the company’s license is current.
Next, availability and accessibility of a bail bondsman is crucial. How would you feel if the bondsman does not answer your calls or can only talk to you at certain hours of the day? That would be very frustrating.
An arrest can happen anytime. Therefore, it is better to choose a company that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The best bail bondsman in your area will be seriously committed to his or her work.
Another thing to consider: never hire a bail bondsman who solicits directly from a jail. It might seem convenient for you, but it is against the law in most cases.
They are not allowed to offer their services there. Therefore, even if they appear available when they are hanging out in different jails looking for clients, beware. Make sure that they have a physical office you can visit.
Lastly, choose a bail bondsman that has years of working experience and has a proven track record. Why? It guarantees reliable service. If you ever come across a company that offers cheap bonds (for example, as low as 5% of the bail amount) and tries to convince you that it is the best choice, then that could be a red flag.
These may not be reputable firms. This marketing strategy is deceiving and takes advantage of the person’s desperate situation.
The best bail bondsman is patient, understanding, and professional in dealing with clients. They are willing to take the time to explain the payment options and plans to help ease your financial burden. By following these three simple tips, you will find the best bail bondsman in your area.
