Posts made in February 2023

Before agreeing to a bond, knowing what you’re dealing with is essential. Here are the basics everyone should know about bail bonds in West Chester, PA.  

First, you should understand how to bail someone out of jail and what bail means. “Bail” is essentially a monetary guarantee that if the person is released from prison, they will show up for their court hearing and obey the conditions of their release. If they meet all the requirements, the money is returned. If they do not follow the rules, the money is forfeited. However, since bail is typically set to a very high amount, most people cannot pay it by themselves. This is where bail bonds become relevant.

The Affordable Solution: Bonds

Working with a bail bondsman allows people to have their family members and friends released from jail without posting the entire bail amount. Instead, they will pay the bondsman a non-refundable 10% of the bail, and the bondsman will provide the rest of the money. As long as all the conditions of the release are met, the bondsman gets their money back, and nothing further is required. 

However, if the jailed person fails to make their court appearance or doesn’t meet another condition of their release, whoever signed the bond agreement will have to pay the bondsman back for the money lost. That’s why you mustn’t agree to a bail bond unless you are confident that the person you release will follow through on their obligations. 

When you find out a family member or friend is in jail, don’t panic. Follow these instructions on how to bail someone out of jail in Scranton, PA, to bring them home as soon as possible.

Collect Their Details

First, make sure they are eligible for bail. Under Pennsylvania law, most people are qualified, but exceptions exist for severe charges or anyone considered a flight risk. Once you’ve confirmed their eligibility, collect these essential details: 

Full Name of the Person Jailed 
Date of Birth of the Person Jailed 
Which Jail They are Held In 
Their Booking or Report Number 
The Charges They are Accused Of  

If you are missing some information, that is all right; gather as much information as you can. Finally, find out their bail amount by contacting the jail or checking the online court records.

Contact a Bail Bond Agent

The next step is to secure an affordable bail bond. Research the bondsmen in your area to find a reputable provider, and then contact them with the details you collected. 

Your bondsman will confirm the information and give you a written agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the bail bond. Typically, this entails a 10% fee of the total bail amount and agreeing to pay the full amount if the client does not meet their bail condition. Finally, your bondsman will post bail on your behalf so you can bring your family member or friend home. Contact us to learn more about how our affordable bail bonds work and what to expect from the process.