1 Bail Bond Agency

What Are My Options

1) Do nothing and let the defendant stay in jail until the judge says otherwise.
2) Pay the full amount of the bond to the court directly.
3) Work with a bail bondsman who will put up the full amount of the bond. With more than 120 years in business, 1 Bail Bond Agency of Monroe can take less money up front than anyone else.

What is Bail

Bail is the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial. It guarantees that the defendant will return to court on their appointed court dates. If the accused person does not appear at court until completion of the case, the bond will be forfeited and the full amount of the bond will be due.

What Is A Bail Bond

A bail bond is a financial guarantee that the defendant will appear in court until the completion of their case. By law, bail bondsmen are required to charge a 10% fee of the full bond amount. However, the law does not state we need all the money up front. Nobody can accept less money up front than 1 Bail Bond Agency of Monroe.

What Is The Responsibility Of The Co-Signer

The co-signer ensures the defendant appears in court every time until completion of the case so the bond is not forfeited by the judge. If costs are required to locate the defendant and take him into custody, the cosigner is responsible for reimbursing all costs incurred.

Can I Get My Bail Fee Back

No. This is the service fee the bail agency charges; it is called the premium. Bail bond agencies are insurance agencies. Just as you don’t get your money back from a car insurance company because you don’t have an accident, the fee paid to a bail bondsman is not refunded just because the defendant appears in court.

What Is A Property Bond

Property bonds can be useful in cases where cash is not an option. A property bond is done directly with the court, not a bondsman. A property bond utilizes the equity people have in their house, commercial building, or vacation home to assure the court that the accused person will be present on their scheduled court dates. The court will determine is a property is acceptable. If the accused individual does not appear in court, the court will place a lien on the property.

What If I Don't Have The Money

With a minimal down payment, 1 Bail Bond Agency of Monroe will work with you to create an acceptable payment plan within your budget.

What Determines Bail Amount

The bail will be determined by the judge using a variety of criteria about the defendant including prior criminal history, roots to the area, employment status, etc.

After Posting Bail, How Long To Get Out

The amount of time can vary depending upon the day and time posted at the jail. Mondays are the busiest day for the jail and release times can be slower.

Can You Leave The State

1 Bail Bond Agency of Monroe does not require a defendant to stay within Michigan or any other state as long as we are notified and the individual appears for all of their court dates. The only restriction would be if a judge does not allow the defendant to leave the state.

What If The Bond Is Forfeited

If the bond is forfeited and the bondsman is unable to locate the defendant, the bondsman will be responsible to pay the full amount of the bond to the court. The cosigner is responsible for reimbursing the bail bondsman of money lost to the court.

What Happens When Defendent Doesn't Go To Court

If a defendant does not appear at their court date, a warrant is issued for their arrest. The bail bond company will be issued a “show cause” hearing regarding forfeiture. The bail bond company will attempt to locate the defendant to stop the forfeiture proceedings.
If the bond is forfeited, the judge is required by law to give the bondsman between 45 and 60 days to locate the defendant and have them appear in court.

What Information Is Needed To Start Process

The defendant’s legal name and the facility holding the defendant is all that is needed. The bondsman would then contact the facility and inquire about charges and bond amount. We would also inquire if the defendant has any holders in other jurisdictions that would possibly impede the defendant’s release.

BAIL BONDING FACTS

The bail bond agent provides a guarantee to the court that the defendant will appear in court when summoned by the judge. The defendant will also be required to check in regularly with the bail agent.

Bail bonds are granted when a family member, friend or the defendant themselves contact the bail agent before the defendant is released. Arrangements are made for the posting of a bond based on the bail dollar amount. After the contracts & agreements are signed, the bail agent posts a bond for the amount of the bail plus fees to guarantee the defendant's return to court.

If the defendant fails to appear and the bail agent or the co-signer are unable to locate the defendant after failing to appear for court, the co-signer as well as the defendant are immediately responsible (upon court ordered forfeiture) for the full amount of the bail. After the defendant is located and arrested by the bail agent, before the bond is ordered forfeited by the court, the co-signer is responsible for all of the bail bond agent's expenses while looking for the defendant.

Defendants have the option of arranging for their bail through a bail bondsman or paying the court directly the full amount. When using a bail agent, the defendant and the co-signer may be required to provide collateral to the bail bondsman to help secure the bond. The bail bondsman or bail bond company agent will then guarantee to pay the court if the defendant fails to appear by posting a surety bail bond power of attorney with the jail or court. If the defendant fails to appear and the bond is ordered forfeited, the co-signer & defendant become liable for the full amount of the bail plus all incurred expenses by the bondsman used to locate the defendant.

After the defendant has completed all court appearances, the case is closed, and all of the bail bond company's expenses have been satisfied, any excess collateral given to the bail bondsman or the bail bonding company will be returned to the defendant or co-signer or whoever posted the bond. A co-signer always has the responsibility to ensure that the defendant appears in court when required. The co-signer must know the whereabouts of the defendant at all times and must immediately notify the bail bondsman if the defendant has moved, changed jobs or changed phone numbers. Since the co-signers collateral is at risk if the defendant fails to show up as summoned, it is advised that he/she constantly monitor the defendant's location. Remember, all fees are the responsibility of the co-signer if the defendant can not or is unwilling to pay.