According to the law, every criminal suspect is innocent until proven guilty, which means one isn’t subjected to live as a criminal until a sentence has been made. During the process of proving an individual’s innocence or possible association with a crime, that person is availed the opportunity to get bail. Bail allows an individual to be released from the government custody on the condition that he or she will be made available during court appearances. To guarantee this, the court requires the payment of a certain amount of money, which will be refunded upon showing up for all hearings or otherwise forfeited.
In situations where an individual or the family is unable to post bail for lack of funds, the services of a bail bond agent can come in handy. The agent will help post bail by getting into an agreement with the court. This agreement is referred to as a bail bond. Usually, the defendant will only have to pay a particular percentage of the bail as a fee while the agent pays the full amount to the court. Different bail bond companies set different fee rates, and it is always good to search for affordable bail bonds in Connecticut before proceeding with the hiring. Aside from this, there are other things to consider when choosing a bail bond agent, and they are:
The License of The Bail Bond Agent or Agency
All companies in a country have to be registered with required organizations, and all professional businesses have to have a license to carry out their activities. Taking into account the legality and sensitivity of services of a bail bondsman, it is imperative to make sure that the agent has been licensed to practice. If not, a defendant may get into further legal trouble by association.
The Availability of the Bail Bond Agent
An arrest can be made at any time of the day or week, and one may require to get bail at a very odd hour. A defendant should ensure that the agent that he or she will be consulting with is available every time of the day. Some bail bond agents work 24/7, and searching for this type of agent should be a priority.
The Payment’s Flexibility
Aside from the 10-15% rate of the bail amount that is paid to a bail bond agent, a defendant may be required to use a collateral. This is the agent’s way of making sure the defendant doesn’t abscond. Some agents are flexible with the rate as they may allow for payments in installment while others are not. A defendant should be fully informed of this before moving forward.
The Understanding and Transparency of the Agent
The process of getting a bail isn’t complicated, but some defendants can be really clueless about how it works. Before deciding to work with an agent, it is vital to confirm that not only is the agent very knowledgeable on how it works but will also carry the defendant along, should in case anything happens.
Is it BBB Accredited
The Better Business Bureau, popularly known as the BBB, is a highly regarded organization that assesses businesses across different countries, including the United States and Canada, and determines if they are trustworthy. If this organization accredits a company, then clients can be sure there is nothing to worry about. Similarly, if a bail bond agent or agency is BBB accredited, then the defendant can confidently proceed.
Reviews From Past Client’s
For any kind of professional relationship with an agent or agency, one needs to know if the agency has rendered that kind of service before and how well was the result delivered. It is the same as working with a bail bond agent. A defendant should always check the past work history of the agent by checking the reviews of those that had already engaged the agent just to ensure what is in good hands.
Referred by a Lawyer or Not
Although some defendants may choose to represent themselves in the court of law, hiring a lawyer for representation is best and increases the chances of acquittal. A good and experienced lawyer would have worked with several bail bond agents on several occasions and can recommend which is best for the defendant. So, before deciding to work with the agent, ensure that the agent or agency is highly regarded in the law community.
All these criteria should be taken into consideration before engaging a bail bond agent or company, as this will prevent the defendant from getting into further troubles with the government. Moreover, finding a really good bail bond agent will ensure convenience for a person processing getting bail.
