Understanding the Basics: What Is a Bail Bond Contract?

Bail Bonds

"Let's dive into the fundamentals: Exploring the Concept of Bail Bond Contracts."

In this article, Smith American Bail Bail Bonds give you insight into a bail bond contract.

Bail Bond?

 A bail bond is an amount set by a judge. The bond amount must be paid through a bail bondsman for the defendant to be released. The bond also ensures that the defendant will appear at all court pre-trial or trial dates.

What is the legal term for someone who signs a surety bond?

The legal term for anyone who signs a bail bond, also known as a surety bond, is the Indemnitor.

 What is a bail bond contract?

A bail bond contract is an agreement between a bail bondsman and an individual known as the indemnitor that they agree by signing and paying the bond amount set by the court on behalf of the defendant that the defendant will comply with all bail bonding conditions and will show up at all his or her court dates. In most bail bonding contracts, many different bail bonding conditions differ from other bail bonding contracts. Most bail bondsman or bail bonding companies have their conditions and rules. A bail bondsman's conditions in place can range from weekly phone check-ins, monthly phone check-ins, in-person check-ins, residential verification visits, GPS monitoring, and drug testing, and must appear at all court dates.

By signing the bail bond contract, you must understand that if the defendant fails to appear in court on a surety bond and does not comply with the bail bonding conditions, the bail bondsman can revoke the bond through the court. If the bond is revoked, you know that you are responsible for the full bond amount. In some cases, depending on what US state you reside in, if the defendant is apprehended promptly, the indemnitor can be released from the bond. A judge must authorize release on a bond. If the contract between you and the bail bonds company has been violated, they will take you to civil court to sue you for the balance of the surety bond and bail enforcement recovery fees. You should know that every state has different bail bonding fees so be sure to check with the state you reside in to verify all bail bond fees.

Why Bail bondsmen require a co-signer on a bail bond

Every bail bonds agency is different when it comes to a co-signer. When a bail bondsman requires a co-signer, some factors that play a factor are lack of job history, residential history, criminal history, and defendant's previous multiple failures to appear warrants.

Can you go to jail if you signed on bond and the defendant skips bail?

The answer is no. However, suppose there is evidence that you are harboring a fugitive, and the bail bondsman turns it over to the courts. In that case, it will be up to the judge and the prosecutor to charge the indemnitor for harboring a fugitive.

 What are the qualifications to sign a bail bond contract?

Every state has different qualifications when it comes to posting bonds for someone. For example, Smith American Bail Bonds in Indianapolis, Indiana, require that you are 18 years or older, have a valid United States I.D., are employed at least three months, and pay an 8% or 10% premium on the total bond amount. Must complete indemnitor contract and all contract documents that are required.

Why you should choose Smith American Bail Bonds for your bail bond contract

You should choose Smith American Bail Bonds for your bail bonds contract because they are known to be fast, affordable, and very informative when it comes to the bail bond contract. Smith American Bail Bonds don't have small print hidden clauses in their bail bonding contracts to deter you in the wrong direction if the defendant fails to appear. Smith American Bail Bonds wants you to fully understand what you are getting into before you take on any liabilities. Smith American Bail Bonds hold their bail bonding contract to a high standard to protect the bail bond agency, society, and the indemnitor so that they don't become victims of their bail bond contract and face civil lawsuits because of a forfeited bond.