Bail Tampa

The Bail Bond process can be a little confusing if you have never dealt with it before. You can call us at any time or come in for a free consultation if you want us to explain it. Quite simply, when you are arrested, the judge determines an amount of money you will need to pay before you are released from jail until your trial or hearing. This money, or bail, is to insure you come to the courts every time the judge requires it. The courts give your bail money back to you if you faithfully present yourself when required. Usually there is a standard amount needed for bail for each alleged offense, but the judge can change it based upon specific situations of individual cases.

Bail Bond Alternative

The first option you have is to pay cash for bail just as the system was arranged.

Another option is to use the services of a bail bond agent. If you pay a bail bondsman a premium, usually 10% of the total bail amount, the bail bondsman takes on the responsibility of paying the court system the entire bail amount and insuring that the accused shows up to the court system as they go through the penal process. This way, the defendant is responsible for substantially less out-of-pocket cash up front.

Usually a bail bondsman will require a cosigner for the bond to make sure they can get money back if the defendant doesn’t show up for trial. Once in a while, collateral will be needed to secure the bond. The use of cosigners and collateral always depends on the circumstances of individual situations.

If you have any additional questions about how bail bonds work in Tampa or anywhere else in the country, please give us a call at 813-664-1111. We can talk to you over the phone or you can come in to our office for a free consultation.