A bondsman is someone who issues you a bail bond if you have a loved one who is in jail and has made bail. When you do not have the funds to bail them out immediately, you can get a bail bond from a local bondsman. While this is always an option, it might not be the best option available to you. Before rushing into this decision, take some time to learn about the pros and cons of using a bondsman.

Pro: You Save Money for Lawyer and Court Fees

When you go to a bondsman for a bail bond, you only have to pay a small percentage of the bail amount. With a cash bond, you are required to pay the full amount. Most bondsmen charge a set percentage, which must be paid in cash before the person can be released from jail. The good news is that you are saving quite a bit of money, which can help with other court fees and to pay for a lawyer.

Con: Your Fees Are Non-Refundable

While you do not pay the entire amount of the bail, the fees you give the bondsman are non-refundable. Whether they are charged for the crime or not when they appear in court or have their trial, you will not get your deposit back. On the other hand, if you put up the cash for the bail without using a bondsman, that money may be returned to you if they are not charged for the crime.

Pro: The Bondsman Helps with the Whole Process

Not only are you getting help bailing your loved one out of jail as fast as possible, but the bondsman can also help with the entire process. They help you fill out paperwork, let you know what collateral they will take, and even tell you how to file the papers with the court in order to bail your loved one out. They give you information you might have otherwise not had when trying to bail someone out.

Con: You May Sign Responsibility for the Person Being Bailed Out

In many cases, you are co-signing a bail bond that states you are responsible for the person you are bailing out. This means if they flee or fail to show up to court, and the bondsman cannot locate them, you are then responsible for the amount of bail they put up to bail them out. If you have any doubt this person will show up to court on their scheduled date, you may want to re-consider co-signing the bail bond.

Pro: Your Loved One is Bailed Out Sooner

If you are paying cash for the entire bond amount, you might not have access to it right away. You may need to wait until a weekday when the bank is open, or try to get emergency cash in another way. However, bail bond places are typically open 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. No matter what time it is when bail is posted, you can get your loved one out of jail.

If you need to bail out a loved one but choose not to use a bondsman, you always have the option of getting a cash loan. These options include getting a title loan for your car or going to a payday loan place like Advanced Pawn Shop for the cash.