Has a loved one or a friend reached out to you in hopes you will be able to get a bail bond for them? If so, and if this is not something you have ever done in the past, you will want to keep reading. There is a lot to know and a lot you will want to be prepared for in order to ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you are not getting yourself into a situation you are not prepared for.  Here are a few of the things you need to know when going to a bail bond company:

You Still Might Need Cash 

There are some situations in which the person applying for the bail bond does not need to have cash in hand. However, a lot of bail bondsmen require that you bring at least a certain percentage of the bail bond amount. This might be ten percent of the bond amount. You can call the bail bond company to inquire about this before you show up.

You Might Need To Provide Collateral

This is something that will vary from one bail bond company to the next. There can be a few deciding factors that the bondsman will consider when deciding if they need you to bring the title to a car or boat or the deed to your paid-off home. Some factors they will consider is the amount of the bond, the flight risk of the person being bailed out, and the type of crime that they are being charged with. They will run their business how they like, within the limits of the law, so it is completely up to them. Call and talk with a bondsman to figure out if collateral will be needed and how much collateral will be expected.

It is important to remember that while you might not be the person the bail bond is intended for, you are signing legal paperwork stating that you are responsible for the money should the agreement not be completed by the person you are bailed out of jail. You will want to talk with your friend or family member to let them know about the things you will have to agree to, as they themselves might not even be familiar with the bail bond process. After all, if it is their first time in jail and they have never personally had to obtain a bail bond for someone else, they would not know all of the important details.