3 Things You Need to Know About Bail Bonds

When you're arrested and held on bond, you'll need to post a bail amount (determined by the judge) in order to be released from jail prior to your court date. If you don't have the cash to pay for your bail, however, you may be booked in jail until you're able to be seen by a judge. Another option to consider is that of taking out a bail bond, which is essentially a third-party loan to cover your bail amount.

Hopefully, you'll never need to worry about posting bail. If you ever do find yourself in this situation, there are some things you should know about bail bonds.

They're Available in Select States

Most states allow for bail bond companies to operate as third-party lenders, providing bail money to those who have been arrested and charged with certain crimes. However, there are some states where bail bond loans are not available, with Kentucky being one example of the handful of states where this applies. Therefore, you'll need to be aware of the specific laws regarding bail bonds in your state (or the state where you're arrested) before moving forward.

They Can Provide Financial Peace of Mind

Bail bonds aren't necessarily just for people who cannot afford to post their own bail. In some situations, you may have the money to pay your own bail, but doing so would put you in a precarious financial situation. After all, you likely won't be getting your bail money back until after your court date (and sometimes even longer than that). In these situations, taking out a bail bond may give you the financial peace of mind you need.

You May Need to Do More Than Show Up to Court

While in many cases, you will receive your bail money back (and thus be able to pay your lender back) when you attend your court date, be aware that this is not always true. In some situations, you may be required to attend multiple court dates before you get your bail money back or complete other terms set forth by a judge (such as completing a drug counseling class, for example). Be sure to find out when you'll receive your bail back and plan accordingly with your lender.

Overall, bail bonds can be a great choice for those who need help getting out of jail. Just be sure to keep this all in mind so you can be well informed before you contact a bail bonds company.