When a person is arrested and charged with a crime, they may be given the option to post bail to be released from custody while awaiting their court date. Bail is a sum of money or property that is held as collateral to ensure that the defendant appears in court. However, not all defendants have the financial means to pay the full bail amount upfront.
This is where bail bonds come in. A bail bond is a contract between a defendant, a bail bond agent, and the court that allows the defendant to post bail by paying a percentage of the total bail amount. Here are the different types of bail bonds you can find at most bail bond agencies in St. Tammany Parish.
Cash Bonds – A cash bond is the most straightforward type of bail bond. It involves paying the full bail amount in cash directly to the court. If the defendant appears in court as required, the cash bond will be refunded at the end of the case.
Surety Bonds – A surety bond is the most common type of bail bond. It involves hiring a bail bond agent, who will pay the full bail amount to the court on behalf of the defendant in exchange for a non-refundable fee (usually 10-15% of the total bail amount). The bail bond agent will also require the defendant or a co-signer to provide collateral to secure the bond, such as a house, car, or other valuable assets.
Federal Bonds -Federal bail bonds are used in cases where the defendant is facing federal charges, such as drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, or other offenses that violate federal law. Federal bail bonds are typically more expensive and require higher collateral than state bail bonds.
Immigration Bonds – Immigration bonds are used in cases where a person has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is facing deportation proceedings. Immigration bonds require a specialized type of bail bond agent who is licensed to handle immigration cases.
Property Bonds – Property bonds allow defendants to use real estate or other valuable assets as collateral for their bail. Property bonds are less common than other types of bail bonds and are only accepted in certain jurisdictions.
These different types of bail bonds can help defendants and their loved ones make informed decisions about their legal options. If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges and need to post bail, consider working with a reputable bail bond agent such as A Affordabail Bail Bonds who can explain the bail process and help you choose the right type of bail bond for your situation.
