If you or a loved one is in a situation in which you need to seek the assistance of a bail bondsman, there might be some industry “lingo” that is important to be familiar with. Knowing these related terms can help you understand the process in a more clearer sense, as well as, reduce any stress involved in gaining a release from jail. Here are the most commonly seen terms used within the everyday bail bond business. Familiarize yourself with these terms, and you are one step closer to being prepared for such a situation.

Bail

Bail is often confused with “bail bond”. They are, in fact, separate terms. Bail refers to the amount of money the court assigns to a case that will allow the defendant to be released from jail, to await their future court dates. Bail can be anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Bail amounts depend on many variables. They are determined by the defendant’s criminal history, the charges against them, and the level of flight risk they may be.

Bail Bond

A bail bond is the actual item that a person needs to obtain to be released from jail while awaiting their court dates. To be “bonded” out of jail requires the assistance of a bail bondsman or a bail agency. They will be able to make a deal with the court by guaranteeing the appearance of the defendant at their court date. If the defendant fails to appear, then the bail agency is responsible for the entire bond amount. The defendant is only required to pay a small percentage of the full bail amount to receive the services of a bail agency and be released from jail. That percent is usually between 10-15%, depending on the state.

Bounty Hunter

A bounty hunter is often mistaken for a bail bondsman, and vice versa. The truth is, a bounty hunter is NOT a bail bondsman. A bounty hunter is the accomplice, per se, of the bail bondsman. If a defendant fails to appear for their court date after being released from jail by the services of a bail bondsman, the following can happen: The courts will hold the bail bond agency responsible for the entire bond amount, usually thousands of dollars. Then they are required to FIND the defendant and bring him or her back in front of the courts to face their charges. In order to find the defendant, the bail bondsman requires the assistance of their accomplices, the bounty hunters. A bounty hunter is hired by a bail agency to act as a detective and search out the fleeing defendant. If they can produce the defendant to the courts, then the bail agency is off the hook, and the bounty hunter makes a profit.

Bail Bondsman

A bail bondsman is simply the conductor of bail bonds. They are the men, women, and companies that facilitate the process of obtaining a bail bond and gaining a release for a person in jail.

For more answers to your bail bond questions, give Justice Bail Bonds a call today at 574-583-6125. They offer 24 hour emergency service, with courteous and speedy results. Visit their Monticello, Indiana Bail Bonds website for more about their services in Indiana.