The cold metal bracelets being placed on your wrists, getting into the back seat of a police vehicle, walking into a loud, unfamiliar environment, being searched head to toe. These are all awkward, even shocking events that happen upon being arrested.

The first thought you or a loved one will have is to try and bond out immediately. That is a very natural thought because jail is unpleasant, loud, and scary.

If you’re new to this process, you may know that being bailed or bonded out is likely. However, you probably don’t realize that by moving too quickly you’ll be paying more than necessary in bail bonds cost.

We have compiled 5 tips to avoid paying too much for your bond. Keep reading for more information!

Attorney Referrals

Most bondsmen will charge you a premium of ten to fifteen percent to bond you out. This means that if your bail is $10,000 you will pay $1,000-1,500 to the bond company.

However, if you retain a criminal attorney (which you should do anyway,) he may refer you to a specific bond company. Use this referral because it may lower premium that you pay.

This is a win-win situation because someone who is charged with a crime needs an attorney and most attorneys have a working relationship with bond companies.

Bonding out with an attorney referral will also help you win your case. Plea bargains are often taken because the defendant desperately wants to go home. Taking your attorney’s recommendation will save money, allow for proper defense of the charge, and keep you from a guilty plea.

Bail and Arraignment Hearings

Typically, after a set amount of time in jail (two to seven days) you can request a bail hearing. The purpose of this hearing is for you or your attorney to request that the bail is lowered.

The judge may or may not grant this request but if he does, the dollar amount of your premium will be lowered as well because it is a percent of the total amount of bail.

If no bail hearing is available, your first court appearance will be your arraignment. Arraignment hearings are for the defendant to enter a plea. At this time, your attorney can also request for your bail to be lowered.

Sometimes, if the defendant can wait until the arraignment hearing, he may end up with a bit of luck. From time to time, the judge may release the inmate on his own recognizance. This means the inmate will be released on his own word that he will appear in court without needing to post bail.

It isn’t unheard of for this to happen with less serious offenses. However, if the charge is a major one, the chances of this happening are slim.

Research is Your Friend

When bonding a loved one out of jail, take a bit of time to research bondsmen in your area. Call several companies for their rates, read other customers’ reviews online and again, contact a criminal defense attorney.

If a premium rate seems too good to be true, it probably is. Inquire about any requirements that the accused will have to meet. Sometimes these requirements can be costly and will add to the overall cost of a ‘cheaper’ bond.

Requirements that can be enforced by a bonding company can include an interlock device in a vehicle, random drug screens, home monitoring, and checking in with the bondsman periodically.

Although meeting these requirements are better than jail, the costs can add up and create stress during an already stressful time in your life.

This website gives a well-rounded look at potential premiums, costs, and the bond process.

Property Bonds

Sometimes your assets are not liquid, meaning you may have land, cars, or other assets, but very little cash. Depending on the bail amount and the bondsman you choose, the company may accept property as collateral.

When a court or a bail bondsman accepts property as collateral, it is often required to be twice the amount of bail. This sounds like a lot, but as long as you show up for every court appearance, you will retain your property.

This option allows you to get out of jail without putting up as much if any cash to get out of jail.

Cash Bail

This option can be a tricky one, but it is possible. Depending on the charges at hand, your bail may not be extremely high. If this is the case, and you have the means to do so, you could potentially post your own bail.

The drawback to posting your own bail is that the money is tied up until your court appearances. However, by posting your own bail, you will not have to pay the non-refundable premium to a bondsman and your money is returned after your court appearances.

Bail Bonds Cost & Other Considerations

It would be easy to tell you the best way to lower your bail bonds cost is to not get in trouble. Unfortunately, people get caught with the wrong crowd, at the wrong time, or in a misunderstanding.

No matter the situation, the goal is to get out of jail as soon as possible to begin working on your case.

While out of jail, it is imperative to stay out of trouble because being arrested again will raise the cost of bail exponentially–and that is even if you’re granted it a second time.

You should keep in mind, that any premium you pay is non-refundable so be sure that you are getting the best rate possible.

Failing to appear at any court date will mean that a warrant will be issued for your arrest and either the police or your bondsman WILL catch you.

Basically, it boils down to getting out of jail and staying out of trouble. Master these pointers and you should see less of the inside of county jail in the future. If you’d like other useful tips for everyday life, check out our blog!