If you or someone close to you has been arrested and jailed with a bail amount set for their release, one common option you may be looking toward is a bail bond. If you’re among this group, which basic steps need to be followed to obtain a bail bond?

At Beehive Bail Bonds, we’re here to offer comprehensive bail bonds service to clients around Park City, Heber City and nearby areas of Utah, with bail bondsman services tailored to your needs. We regularly walk clients through the process of bail bonds, as we’re well aware that this is often their first time going through it. Here are the basic steps that will be followed, including some that begin before bail bonds are even part of the picture, plus how to navigate this process for yourself or someone close to you.

Determining Bail

Before bail bonds are ever discussed, the bail amount must be set by a judge. This typically occurs at an initial hearing or arraignment, where the defendant will enter their plea and the judge will consider arguments from both sides before setting bail.

In certain cases, such as for violent or extreme crimes, no bail may be set and the defendant will have to remain in jail until their trial. In other cases, bail may be set at a very high amount that the defendant cannot afford. This is where bail bonds come into play.

Bail Can Be Posted Without Bond

In some cases, bail will be set at a low enough amount that it can be paid in full by the defendant or someone close to them. If this happens, no bail bonds are necessary – the payment of bail is simply made to the court and the defendant is released.

Now, there are some risks with this method. The defendant will get their bail money back if they show up to all required court appearances and do not violate any other conditions of their release, but if they do, the bail money is forfeited.

Looking Into Bail Bond Options

As we noted above, however, bail is often set at an amount that the defendant simply cannot afford. In these cases, they will need to look into bail bond options – specifically, securing a loan from a bail bondsman for the full amount of their bail.

Bail bondsman loans come with a fee attached – typically around 10% of the total bail amount, plus any necessary collateral. This can be cash or assets like a vehicle or real estate, and is used as insurance for the bail bondsman – if the defendant skips bail or otherwise violates their release conditions, this collateral can be seized by the bondsman.

Posting Bail Bonds

Once a bail bond loan has been secured, they will need to be posted with the court. This process involves completing paperwork and providing all necessary information to the court and to the bail bondsman, who will be responsible for ensuring that the defendant appears in court as required.

If a defendant does not show up to their court appearances or violates any other conditions of release, the bail bondsman may employ a bounty hunter to track them down and bring them back to court. This is why it’s crucial for defendants to understand and follow all requirements of their release.

Release

Once all necessary paperwork and fees have been submitted, the bail bondsman will post the bail bond with the court. The defendant will then be released from jail, but their obligation to appear in court remains until their case is resolved.

Continuing Obligations

Even after release, there are certain obligations that the defendant must fulfill while out on bail. These may include regular check-ins with the bail bondsman, attending all required court appearances, and following any other conditions set by the court or the bail bondsman.

Be very sure that you understand all of the requirements and obligations associated with posting bail bonds before moving forward. Failure to fulfill these obligations can result in the revocation of bail and the defendant being re-arrested.

Obtaining a bail bond can be a stressful and confusing process, but with the help of an experienced bail bondsman, it can be navigated successfully. Remember to seek out a reputable and trustworthy bail bondsman, and to fully understand all obligations and risks involved before moving forward.

At Beehive Bail Bonds, we’re committed to assisting our clients through every step of the bail bonds process. Contact us today for more information or for 24/7 bail bond services in Park City, Heber City or any nearby part of Utah.