If you just found out that one of your friends is in the county jail, the first thing you may want to do is run to the nearest bail bondsman, and have them released. However, posting bail isn’t always as cut and dry as simply handing over a briefcase filled with cash. There are a number of bonds that you may either choose from, or that your friend may be given, one being a personal recognizance bond, that requires no money at all. Before you search for bail bonds in Jefferson County, TX, or head straight down to the county jail with your checkbook in hand, here are a few things you should know.
Types of Bonds
As mentioned previously, your friend may receive a personal recognizance bond which will allow him or her to be released without you having to put up any money. If the crime is small enough, such as a misdemeanor, you may be able to pay the bond outright with cash. However, when the bond is an exceedingly large amount, you may want to use the services of a bail bondsman like ASAP Bail Bonds. Going through a bondsman will allow you to pay only a small percentage of the total bail amount in order to have your friend released.
Missed Court Appearance
When dealing with a bail bonds company such as ASAP Bail Bonds, you should know that if your friend does not show up for court, the entire bail amount becomes due. And in case you put up your property in exchange for your friend’s release, the court may begin to foreclose on it should your friend “jump bail.”
Searching for bail bonds in Jefferson County, TX, can be quite overwhelming as there are lots of companies to choose from. However, before you get to that point, you should find out what your friend’s charges are and what the bail, if any, will be.