It can be difficult to know what to do if you just got the news that a friend or family member has been arrested and is now in jail. Often, the first response may be to want to get them out as quickly as possible – after all – sitting in jail isn’t exactly pleasant. But, loved ones of people who have been arrested need to consider a few other aspects about the Greeley bail bond process before they make a quick decision. Here is guide on how to decide whether or not to bail someone out of jail in Colorado. Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you should work with a bail bondsman to get them released.
– Is the Defendant a Flight Risk?
When you co-sign a bail bond, you are signing a legal document that holds you accountable for the person you are bailing out. And, if you bail them out without using a bail bondsman, you could lose a lot of money. When you work with a bail agent, you often have to provide collateral to the bail agent. If the defendant skips bail, you could lose the collateral: It could be sold to pay the bail bondsman back for the money they have lost. Additionally, bail agents often hire bounty hunters to find and return the defendant. You could be held responsible for this cost. The best rule of thumb is to only bail someone out of jail who you trust will show up for all court dates.
– Can You Afford to Pay the Bail?
When you work with a bail bondsman, the cost is much less than it would be if you paid bail outright. It can still be a significant amount, however. Bail bond fees range in price, but are usually around 10-15% of the bail amount. So, if the bail amount is $7500, you could have to come up with as much as $1125 in order to get them released. If this is still too much, you could consider working with a bail agent who provides payment plans, or work with additional friends to gather the money.
– How Well Do You Know the Defendant?
It may seem noble to get a friend or family member released from jail, but first you need to consider how well you know them. Are they dangerous or violent? Maybe getting them out of jail isn’t the safest option. Also, when people are arrested, they reach out to anyone and everyone who can help. You may not even know the defendant very well. If you bail someone out of jail who isn’t responsible, it could backfire – you could end up losing money.
Have Questions about the Cost of Bail? Give Us a Call!
Do you have questions about the cost of bail bonds in Colorado? Don’t hesitate to call All Day All Night Bail Bonds. We are here to help you determine whether or not you should bail a friend, family member, or acquaintance out of jail. We are available 24/7 – call us for the answers to your questions!
