Understanding Some Facts About Bail Bondsmen And Their Fees

If one of your loved ones frequently gets in trouble with the law, then you may be asked to provide bail at some point. Most people do not have a great deal of cash on hand, and this may mean that a bail bond company may be your best bet for helping your family member. However, you should understand that there is a fee associated with the service. Keep reading to about some facts in relation to this fee.

It Is Not Negotiable

When a bail bond company agrees to supply the bail for your loved one, the business accepts the risk that your family member will not appear in court. In this case, the money is forfeited and the bail company loses out. In most situations, the flight risk of the client is assessed well before the bail is provided and the bond company has the right to refuse your business.

If you are desperate, you may offer a higher fee to secure the bond. However, the fee is not negotiable in most cases. This is true for several reasons. The bail bond company will be covered from losses by an insurance company. This company wants to reduce its own risks, and thus, they do not want the bail bondsman accepting high-risk clients. 

Additionally, there are laws in most states that dictate the fees associated with the bond. Typically, the fee is 10% of the bail amount. If the bail is more, than the fee is higher. This does ensure that the professional receives a higher premium for clients that are considered a risk, based on the fact that higher bail amounts are associated with more serious crimes and re-offenders. However, the bail bondsman cannot accept more money above and beyond the 10%. So, if the bondsman does not offer to pay the bond, it is wise to simply seek out another business.

There Is A Difference Between State And Federal Charges

States do determine the fee structure for bonds. However, if your loved one is charged with a federal crime, then these fees are not applicable. A federal crime fee will be charged instead. While state fees are usually 10%, federal ones are typically higher at about 15%. The increased fee reflects the elevated seriousness of the crime. 

Bail bondsman are still required to follow the law when it comes to federal fees, but you should ask about this before securing the bond so you are more than aware of what type of payment you will need to provide. Fortunately, the fee does not always need to be paid in cash, so speak with the bail professional about the use of collateral instead.

To learn more about the way that fee structures work in regard to bonds, speak with a bail bond professional. Visit a site like https://www.abailnowbailbonds.com/ for more help.