What to Look for When You Google "Bail Bonds Near Me"

After an arrest and before a set court date, an individual typically has two choices; 1) They can wait out the period of time in jail or 2) Work with a bonding company to make bail for temporary release. If you search Google for “bail bonds near me” to secure bail, you need to know what to look for in a professional bail bonds agency. Instead of calling the first bail bondsman you see listed online, here are some tips to find a qualified service:

Understand why you need a bail bondsman.

After an arrest, those who can’t afford to pay the full amount of the bail outright can work with a bail bondsman. Like securing an insurance policy, the bondsman will put up the cost of bail for an individual who pays a premium. Services typically require a nonrefundable percentage of the bail upfront.

Ask your attorney for advice.

Before you search online, consider asking your legal advocate for a referral. Someone who works in the criminal defense field may know about a bail bond company’s reputation from previous cases. You may also want to ask friends and relatives for recommendations—if they have experience working with bail bondsmen.

Do independent research online.

If you can, search online for a bail bonds near me in your area. Always double check any referrals you receive to confirm the qualifications of a prospective bond service. Search engines can help you locate nearby bond services. Search for “bail bonds near me” along with your zip code to find accurate information about services in your area. You can also use various websites that specialize in bail bond services listings, such as BailBond.com or ExpertBail.com.

Beware bond service representatives who call you. If you didn’t request help or ask for someone’s referral, the bond service may not offer the most qualified services available.

Confirm the bond service’s credentials.

First, consider the agent’s approach. Does the service seem professional and well-established? Then, look for confirmation of licensing and professional associations. Qualified bond services will likely have a rating from the Better Business Bureau and reviews on various third party sites. Speak with a few different bond service agents before you decide to hire one, and look for differences on bail quotes and terms of service. The bondsman will pay the government the full bail amount along with a guarantee that the defendant will appear in court. The bonds has the right to hire a bounty hunter and sue the defendant if the defendant fails to honor his or her agreement.

If given the choice, most people prefer to await their court date outside of jail. Whether you committed the crime in question or not, you’ll need to consider your options for bail after an arrest. The cost of bail may range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, and not everyone can afford to pay the full amount out of pocket. Bond services help defendants pay for temporary release. A bail bond service provides a valuable financial service to those awaiting trial. Carefully research and verify the bond service to secure reasonable rates and quality customer service.