Many Americans think that they won’t get arrested and won’t likely need the services of a bail agent. However, according to several studies, more than 50 percent of men will be arrested at some point in their lives. One study says that one in three people will get arrested by the age of 23.
Getting arrested may not be a part of your long-term plan, but it is not far-fetched. At the very least, someone you know — a relative or a friend — may need bail bonds (Hollister).
This is why it is essential to find a bail bondsman even before you or a loved one needs one. The last thing that you would want to do is to frantically search the yellow pages or the internet to find a bondsman while your loved one is already languishing in prison.
But what exactly does a Bail Agent do?
A lot of people confuse bondsmen with fugitive recovery agents, more popularly known as bounty hunters. A bondsman is just like any other insurance agent and most of his days are uneventful. Typically, he spends most of his days answering calls as well as talking to and comforting clients and their family members.
After a bond is set by the judge, you can either pay the full amount using your own money or seek a bondsman for help when you do not have enough money or do not want to pay the court in full. Here, a bond works like an insurance product — you pay a premium to the agent for a policy.
And when the freedom of your loved one and your money are at stake, you simply cannot choose the first bondsman that you come across. How do you choose the right one to help you?
First, look at his appearance. Does he look clean and professional? Next, check whether the bondsman has a physical address or simply lingers in front of the jail, waiting for clients. Determine if the bondsman’s bail license is current. To do that, you can go online and check the website of the State’s Department of Insurance. After that, you can find out what other people have to say about the bondsman online. Go to reputable websites like the Better Business Bureau or similar websites that offer customer ratings.
Finally, speak with the bondsman. Ideally, he should be able to explain to you how the process works in a clear and reassuring manner.
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