Recent events in Charleston, both the protests and the riot, have created situations that some people never thought they would be in. You or a loved one may have ended up in a situation where they’ve been arrested. If you’re new to the justice system, this can be jarring and you may have a lot of questions. It’s a stressful thing. We understand. So we wanted to take a moment to answer one of the biggest questions you might have. How does bail work?
What is a Bail Bond?
A bail bond is simply an agreement between a criminal defendant and the court. The agreement says that the defendant will appear in court, or pay a sum of money should they fail to appear. A bail bondsman acts as the co-signer for your bond, guaranteeing the full sum in exchange for a fee from the defendant. Once bail is posted, the defendant is free to return home, though the terms of the bond will often require them to remain in the local area until their court appearance.
How Does It Work?
How does bail work? Like we said above, the process is actually pretty simple. Within 24 hours of arrest, the defendant will have a bail bond hearing. This will determine the bail amount. Should the defendant decide to utilize a bail bondsman, a percentage of the bail amount is paid to the bondsman, who assumes the risk for the defendant’s appearance in court. Once bail is posted, the defendant is free to return home.
What Do I Need to Do Now?
If you, or a loved one, have been arrested, the first thing to do is to contact an experienced bail bondsman who can help you through the process. An experienced professional will enable you to navigate the system and will help you get out of jail as soon as possible. They can also help answer your questions, especially if you have no experience with this system from before. Never be afraid to ask professionals for help. Time is of the essence, don’t waste it.
Get Your Freedom Back
Around the Clock Bail Bonds has been serving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester County residents for over 30 years. Our team of experts knows the bail process for this area better than anyone, and will quickly respond to your need getting the freedom for you and your loved one that will help you breathe easier. If you need a Charleston bail bond, contact us today.