Being arrested and charged with a crime can be very stressful. Part of the stress is wondering when or if you will be released. For many crimes, it will be possible to be released on bail. Bail is a monetary value that must be paid to ensure that the accused turns up for future court hearings. Once the accused has attended the court hearings, the bail money can be returned to them minus any applicable court fees.
There are a few different ways that bail can be paid. Outlined below is an overview of the different types of bail bonds in Florida.
Paying cash
The first option is to pay the bail amount in cash. This is usually the most efficient option for minor offenses that involve a relatively low bail amount. For example, a driving offense may involve paying bail of around $500. If the accused is able to pay that sum quickly, they may be released from jail within a matter of hours.
For more severe offenses, the bail amount can be significantly higher. It can be tens of thousands of dollars or more. This is where bail bondsmen come in.
What do bail bondsmen do?
A bail bondsman can pay the fees of the accused for a percentage of the total bail amount. Often, they will take around 10% as a fee. They provide a surety bond. This means that if the accused fails to attend a court date, the bail bondsman will be responsible for paying the full amount of bail.
If you’re facing criminal charges, bail is just one of many issues you’ll have to deal with. You don’t have to deal with it on your own. Having legal guidance will help ensure that your rights are protected.
