5 Bail Facts You Need To Know

5 Things You Need to Know About Bail Bonds.

1. Bail Company Offering 5%? The Bail Could Be Too Good To Be True.

By Georgia law a bail company can charge up to 12% for bail bonds that are $10,000 or less and up to 15% for bond that are more than $10,000. For misdemeanor offenses involving $1,000 or less in bail, a defendant’s driver’s license may be used for collateral.

2. You Might Not Need Collateral.

You might need collateral or you might not. You will need to consult your Bond agency to see if you qualify for a bond that doesn’t require collateral, also known as a “signature” bond. Some agencies will even negotiate payment plans with you in order to make payment easier and accept credit cards. The Bond agency will let you know.

3. Make Sure Your Bail Bondsman Is Licensed.

Georgia laws require all bail bondsman and bail bond companies to be licensed through the Georgia Insurance Department. They must also make sure their license is current, meaning after two years the Bail Bondsman will need to complete at least eight hours of continuing education to qualify for license renewal.

4. Not Everyone Qualifies For A Bail Bond.

The court must authorize a defendant’s release and the court can deny bail. Depending on the nature of the criminal charges, a defendant may be required to spend a significant amount of time in jail.

5. Don’t Hire A Bail Bondsman Who Solicits Business From The Jail.

Georgia law dictates how bail bondsmen can obtain new business. As an example, they’re not allowed to offer bail services from jail. Despite this, many Bail Bondsmen ignore this, and as a consequence they could potentially lose their license and face a felony charge with jail time.

Call the Law Office of Lloyd J. Matthews today at (404) 642-7350 if you’re in need of Bail. We can help you!