When a loved one is arrested, the main thought that comes to mind is how to get them released. This leads to considering the security measure of filing for bail. However, not many people are in a position to meet the whole amount of the bail; hence, the key concept of the surety bond comes in.
What is a surety bond for jail? How does one fill a surety bond for jail, what is the process of acquiring it, and how does it work? These are some of the major questions concerning the surety bond for jail.
Today’s post explains the meaning of a surety bond for jail. It also outlines the main principles of surety bonds for jail, their role in the system of legal norms, and ways to get them. So, keep on reading to be better informed about why a surety bond is important when it comes to jail and how the system should be managed if one happens to need the services.
What is a Surety Bond for Jail?
A surety bond for jail is fundamentally a contract among three parties:
- The defendant, which in this case refers to the incarcerated person
- The court, which sets the amount of money that a suspect is supposed to pay
- A bail bondsman or surety firm will guarantee to make payment to the court
The surety bond jail is issued by a bail bondsman who agrees to pay the set court amount of bail if the defendant violates the agreed bond terms, such as attending court sessions. The defendant usually pays a premium of 10% to the bail bondsman, and in return, the latter deposits the full amount of the bail with the court.
Surety Bond Jail Meaning
Surety refers to an individual or entity, more often than not. This professional bondsman pledges to be held legally accountable for the defendant’s compliance with the stipulations of their bail, mainly concerning their attendance at their trial sessions.
A bond is a financial agreement with a third party in which that third party agrees to pay the amount of bail.
Jail is the place where the offender is held before he can be released on the condition that some amount of money will be deposited or that some other person shall guarantee for the offender in some form.
When all three are put together, a surety bond jail scenario is formed. This depends on this arrangement, thus reducing the burden of paying up the full amount of bail while ensuring that the court gets its cut in the form of money in case the defendant fails to respect the successive release condition.
Surety bonds provide numerous benefits compared to remitting the entire bail sum in cash. It reduces initial expenses. A small fraction of the entire bail amount, maybe 10%, is needed, making it more convenient. It accelerates the release. For the defendants, it is released with ease from incarceration after having posted the bond. Bail bondsmen have experience dealing with the court and can get the release process done quickly.
Read more: Cash Bond vs. Surety Bond: What are the Differences?
Surety Bond in Jail Setting
Upon a defendant’s arrest and the court’s determination of bail, they possess multiple alternatives:
- Pay the full amount for bail in cash only
- The courts accept a partial cash payment in the form of a surety bond, while a bail bond agent pays the rest
A lot of people can’t pay the full bond amount in cash, bearing in mind that bailing dollar amounts may range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is where a surety bond jail agreement becomes a viable choice.
Process of Getting Surety Bond
- The Arrest: After being arrested, an individual is taken to a jail to be booked, which is the process that involves writing down personal details, offenses charged, and any relevant detail, amongst others.
- Bail has been established: The court has to set the amount with reference to certain factors, among which are the severity of the crime and the likelihood of the offender attending the court sessions.
- Engage a Bail Bondsman: The defendant or anyone who is legally allowed to do so on their behalf can hire a bail bondsman to obtain a surety bond. Normally, the bail bondsman requires a fee of around 10% of the total bail amount.
- Furnish Details: Some information that the bondsman needs to know includes the full name of the defendant, the charges preferred against him/her, bail amount, and the place of custody.
- The Bail Bondsman Submits the Bail: In return, upon the signing of the contract and remittance of the premium, the bondsman pays the whole bail amount to the courts as a result of the release of the defendant in detention.
- The Bail Agent Remits the Bail: The work of a bail bondsman is to pay the full amount to the court, and the defendant is released.
The defendant is released. On posting of the bond, the defendant is set free from prison but has to attend all hearings of the case. In the event that the defendant fails to appear in court, the bail bondsman is duty-bound to pay the whole amount of the bail to the court. Therefore, all conditions of a release have to be met by the defendant, who must attend all further court sessions. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the bail bond, and the bail bondsman is sucked into paying the full amount to the court.
Obligations of a Co-Signer
In the case of obtaining a surety bond for jail, the co-signer has an enormous level of accountability. The case could also be that if the defendant fails to appear in court, the co-signer will be required to pay the bondsman the full amount of the bond. In addition, the co-signer may be forced to pay charges each time the bondsman hires a bounty hunter or takes any step to locate the defendant. Therefore, other guarantors should have full appreciation of their responsibilities and the risks that are likely to ensue in any surety bond jail agreement.
Wrapping Up!
A surety bond jail agreement is a crucial asset in the justice system since it enables a person to be released from jail after depositing only 10% of the cash bail in advance. The defendants can get their liberty and wait for trial at home by working with a bail bondsman. There is a need to understand the responsibilities and risks attached to co-signers in particular. Before proceeding, be certain of the bail bondsman and make sure to understand all contract responsibilities as well. Reach out to us today to know more about bail bond MN.
Read more: How Long Does It Take to Get Your Bond Money Back?




