Bail bondsmen are responsible for regulating the release of people who are arrested and detained by local police, and setting bail accordingly. They also provide a means for individuals to post collateral in order to secure their release from custody while they await trial. In addition, they represent their clients in court procedures, which include preparing witnesses and managing proceedings.
Here are some things you should expect from your bail bond agent:
Understand your arrest charges
The first thing you need to know from your bond agent is the charges that you are facing. Your agent will be able to tell you if the charges are for a felony or a misdemeanor and if it’s in state or federal court.
Set up an appointment for consultation
Before being accepted as a client, your bail bond agent will need to assess several things about your assets and record. The most important factor is whether you will be able to make all of your court appearances and pay off the full amount of bail in case you lose the case. You may also be required to undergo a credit check, as well as undergo some other assessment tests before being accepted by your local bail bondsman.
Work with your agent
Your agent will guide you on what to say and what to do when in court. It may take time for your agent to build rapport with the judge, so in the meantime, he or she may advise you as to how you should proceed. You will be responsible for appearing at all court hearings unless otherwise instructed by your bail bondsman.
Have a post-bail discussion with your agent
Your bail bondsman will give you a summary of everything that has transpired during your pretrial period, and then set up a plan of action for when the case eventually goes to trial. This discussion will come right after you have posted bond, been released from jail and are free to go home.
Follow up with your agent
You should take the opportunity to follow up on how you are doing once the case is moved to a new courtroom, and ensure that you are attending all required court sessions.
Developing trust with bondsmen
There is a bond of trust that bondsmen and their clients develop when they work together, as well as respect for authority among both parties involved. It is important that your client open up to his or her bail bondsmen since they are an authority figure during the pretrial period, and later in the courtroom when they testify on his or her behalf.