Many people who find themselves calling a bail bond agent for assistance will be doing so for the first time, whether on behalf of themselves or on behalf of a friend or loved one who has been jailed for some kind of crime. Those who are doing this for the first time may be wondering how this process will go, plus the kinds of information they need to have available for their bail bond agent to get this process started.

At Beehive Bail Bonds, our bail bond agents are standing by 24/7 to take calls from any Wasatch County or nearby client in need of assistance for themselves or someone else. When you call a bail bond agent, they’ll typically ask you a number of basic questions that will help them obtain the right information and get the process of securing release started. Here’s a rundown of some of the most common questions you’ll likely hear during this call, plus the prudent information to have available.

Why Answering Bail Bond Agent Questions Honestly is Vital

Sadly, there are a number of situations where people speaking with bail bond agents feel as though they have to lie or misrepresent information in order to get the bail process started. This is never a good idea for a number of reasons. First and foremost, your bail bond agent is required by law to verify all of the information that you provide to them – if any part of it turns out to be false, they are within their rights to refuse service.

Furthermore, even if you are able to get the bail process started by providing false information, it will only make things more complicated down the road. In order to secure release, your bail bond agent will need to work closely with the court and jail officials – if any of the information that you provided is inaccurate, this could cause significant delays or complications that could ultimately result in you or your loved one remaining in jail longer than necessary.

Now let’s look at some of the most common such questions to prepare for.

What is Your Relationship to the Defendant?

Firstly, the bail bond agent will need to know your relationship to the person who has been arrested and jailed. You might be the defendant’s spouse, child, parent, friend or some other type of relative. In some cases, you could also be an employer posting bail for an employee who has been jailed.

Regardless of your relationship to the defendant, the bail bond agent will need to know this information as it could potentially affect the bail amount that is set. For example, if you are an immediate family member, the court might deem you as a flight risk and set a higher bail amount.

It’s important to always be honest and upfront when answering this question as bail agents have access to a number of resources that can verify the information you provide them.

What is the Name, Age and Gender of the Defendant?

The bail bond agent will also need to know the full name, age and gender of the person who has been arrested. The bail amount that is set could potentially be affected by the defendant’s age as well as their criminal history.

Again, bail agents have access to a number of resources that can verify the information you provide them, so it’s important to always be honest.

What is the Name of the Jail and the City/State it is Located in?

The bail bond agent will need to know the name and location of the jail where the defendant is being held. This is necessary in order to start the process of securing their release.

What is the Bail Amount?

The bail amount is set by a judge during the defendant’s arraignment hearing, which typically takes place within 24 hours of their arrest. The bail amount is typically based on a number of factors, including the severity of the crime, the defendant’s criminal history and whether or not they are deemed a flight risk.

In some cases, the bail amount might be set at $0, which means that the defendant can be released without having to post bail. However, this is relatively rare.

When/Where Did the Arrest Take Place?

In many cases, the bail amount will be set based on when and where the arrest took place. For example, if the arrest took place in a different state, the bail amount might be higher as there is a greater risk of the defendant fleeing.

What is the Charge?

The bail amount is also typically based on the severity of the charge. For example, if the defendant is charged with a violent crime, the bail amount is likely to be higher than if they are charged with a non-violent crime.

What is the Defendant’s Criminal History?

As you might expect, the bail amount is typically higher for defendants who have a criminal history. This is because there is a greater risk of them fleeing or failing to appear for their court date.

How Will the Bail Bond Fee Be Paid?

Finally, the bail bond agent will need to know how you will be paying the bail bond fee. This is typically 10% of the bail amount, but can vary depending on the state and the bail bond company.

In most cases, the bail bond fee must be paid upfront in order for the bail bond agent to start working on securing the defendant’s release.

There are a number of ways to pay the bail bond fee, including cash, credit/debit cards, money orders and certified checks. Some bail bond companies might also offer financing options for those who are unable to pay the full amount upfront.

As you can see, there is a lot of information that you will need to have available when you call a bail bond agent. By having this information on hand, you can help to ensure that the process goes as smoothly and quickly as possible.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our bail bond services to clients in Wasatch County or nearby areas, speak to our team at Beehive Bail Bonds today.