Frequently Asked Questions
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Athens, Georgia
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  • When to Call a Bail Bondsman?

When you’ve been charged with a crime, getting out of jail may be the foremost thing
on your mind. However, whom you contact first should depend upon your charged
offense. In some instances, stationhouse bail is possible. Station house bail uses
a fixed bail amount for certain law violations. You’re able to pay the bail amount and
be released after the arrest procedure. If you know you bail will be a specified
amount, you may want to contact a bail bondsman to coordinate your release. You
should seek legal assistance for your defense upon your release. Should you be
charged severe crime, you should consult an attorney first. Legal aspects of your case
may be influential in determining your bail amount during the arraignment hearing.
For additional bail information, contact an attorney or bail bondsman.


  • What are Bail Bonds?

Bail is the process or providing money to get out of jail after an arrest. When you
receive bail, you are under obligation to appear in court for the trial. Depending on
the amount of bail charged to obtain your release, you may need to contact a bail
bondsman. A bondsman provides the majority of the bail amount while charging a
typical fee of ten to 15 percent of the actual bail amount. The bondsman will also
require alien against something of equal value to the remaining bail amount.
For instance, it a bail amount is set for 10 thousand dollars, you would need one
thousand dollars in cash to obtain the bond. Then sign a lien against your home to
secure the remaining 9 thousand dollars of the bail bond. In some cases, our bail
amount may be determined by a set schedule according to the offense. This is known
as stationhouse bail. You are able to pay or arrange bail without seeing a judge and
obtain your release from jail much faster.


  • How is Bail Set?

Bails are generally set in accordance with a specific schedule and the judge’s
discretion.
A schedule is determined by a majority vote of superior, municipal and other judges.
Depending on the offense the bail amount may be fixed in accordance with a
schedule; and the arrested individual can post bail shortly after booking for the
charge. The schedule of bail for all bailable offenses, as its known, can be affected by
the case specifics, in more serious charges, bail is posted at an arraignment
proceeding by a judge. The judge will keep the schedule in mind when determining
bail. However, a judge’s primary concern is for the safety of the public. Bail amounts
may be set high or even denied if the crime is particularly serious. In addition, a judge
must be convinced that the bail funds were not gained as part of a criminal act. This
prevents drug money from being used as bail.


  • How much does a bail bondsman charge to post a bond?

Bail bond agents charge a 10% fee of the total bond amount set by the court.


  • What are the benefits of hiring a Bail Bondsman?

If you‘re arrested for a criminal offense, using a bail bondsman can do more than gain
your release.
Bail Bond agencies can offer you the benefits of saving your money when posting
bail, instead of providing the full bail amount in cash, a bail bondsman can proved
your release for a percentage of the bond and collateral. Use of a Bondsman provides
added confidentiality. Bail bonds offer the ability to avoid providing personal
information for transferring cash with several people and financial institutions
involved. A bail bond release allows you to avoid any conditions imposed as part of a
citation or own recognizance release.
If you’re organizing a release for someone else, you may be able to impose
conditions of release, including the completion of a treatment program for substance
abuse.
A bail bondsman allows you to safeguard your assets by allowing you to coordinate
the accuser’s return to confinement in the event of possible flight. Bail Bondsmen can
arrange bail in many jurisdictions and help prevent an arrest by coordinating bail in
that location.
A bail bondsman saves time being familiar with the process and assisting with the
paperwork.


  • How long does it usually take to get released after posting a bond with a bail bondsman?

Different counties have different proceedures. Generally, a defendant is being
released between four to ten hours after the jail is accepting the bond posted by the
bail bondsman.


  • When is Bail Granted?

Bail may be granted based on your crime and a set schedule at the police station.
Stationhouse bail is based on a fixed bail amount per offense.
Bail can then be paid and release gained from jail at a time following arrest
processing. In more serious offenses, you may have to be arraigned in court. You
should have an attorney represent you at an arraignment. A judge then determines if
bail will be granted and sets the bail amount.
The circumstances of the offense are a factor in determining if bail is granted. Bail
may also be granted following a formal indictment. If you’re convicted of an offense,
bail may be granted while awaiting sentencing. Making a probation application or
filling an appeal, bail can be withheld if you’re charged with a capital crime or violent
felony. If you represent a threat to another person, your bail may also be withheld.


  • What is considered by the Court in setting the amount of the bail?

The amount of the bail is first and foremost within the scope and discretion of the
judge or magistrate, with only two general limitations:

1. The purpose of bail is not to penalize or punish the defendant, but only to
secure the appearance of the accused, and it should be set with that in
mind.

2. Excessive bail, not warranted by the circumstances or the evidence at hand.
Is not only improper but a violation of constitutional rights. In fixing the
amount of the bail, the court takes into consideration the seriousness of the
charge, the defendant's
previous criminal record, and the probability of the defendant appearing at the
trial or hearing.
Additionally, if public safety is an issue, the court may make an inquiry
where it may consider allegations of injury to the victim, danger to the public
and/or to the defendant him/her self, threats to the victim or a witness, the
use of a deadly weapon, and the defendant's use or possession of controlled
substances.


  • What is the purpose of bail?

The purpose of bail is to assure the attendance of the defendant, when his or her
appearance is required in court, whether before or after conviction. Bail is not a means
of punishing a defendant, nor should there be a suggestion of revenue to the
government.


  • Is Bail a Constitutional Right?

The right to due process of law protects you in the event of an arrest. In additional to
requiring a prompt jury trial and the counsel of an attorney, due process allows
reasonable bail to be set to secure your release until your court appearance.
The ability to obtain bail protects you from potential employment loss or debt
delinquency. A release on bail prior to a trial also protects innocent individual from
emotional distress caused by their confinement.
Bail may be withheld for offenses where punishment may be the death penalty of life
without parole. If your release posses a threat to another person, you may also be
denied bail, depending on your crime, bail may be set at an amount too great for you
to obtain a bond and your pretrial release.
Setting high bail is legal. Keep in mind that a percentage in cash and collateral for the
bail balance is required to obtain a bail bond.
SERVING CLARKE, BARROW, MADISON, OCONEE, OGLETHORPE AND JACKSON COUNTIES
WITH FAST AND FRIENDLY BONDING SERVICE
24/7 706 354-8655
Court Info No. 706 354-8686
Fax No. 706 354-8638