Navigating what to do when a family member or friend gets arrested can be challenging. Many individuals contact the county jail where the person is being held in custody. This initial contact is typically to figure out how to navigate the situation. Often times, the staff within the jails cannot give you a lot of information or steer you in one direction versus another. They cannot help you with legal advice, whether you should use a bail bond company to post the bond versus posting the full bond amount at the jail or give thorough information on the risk you take on when posting a bail bond.

 There are several benefits to using a bail bond company compared to posting the bond at the jail. When using a bail bond company, you can pay the entire bond amount, or you can use other forms of collateral. Collateral can include titles to paid off vehicles, equity within a home, equity within land, appraised jewelry, and many others. Using collateral can lessen the financial burden on paying the entire bond amount. There are bond fees associated with using this service, however, it is a portion of the bond amount. Another benefit of using a bail bond company includes the legal expertise and navigation bail bond companies can offer. Bail bond companies can walk you through the process, answer questions, and make the process easier. While using the service, bail bond companies manage the process, deliver the bond to the jail, and are involved until the exoneration of the bond happens.

Bail bond companies are also liable for the bond itself until the bond is exonerated. With this liability comes management of the person being bonded. Bail bond companies often require the person bonded to routinely check in with them, insure the person is not getting new allegations, and is being held accountable. This is to protect the individual that placed the collateral, as well as the bail bond company who posted the bail bond. While using a bail bond company, the owner of the collateral also has the ability to revoke the bond if issues arise. If an individual pays a bail bond at the jail in full rather than using a bail bond company, they do not have the ability to revoke a bail bond. The jails do not offer any services like this after you paya bond in full at the jail.