You might’ve hoped that you’d never have a need to search for a bail bondsman in your lifetime.
However, the arrest of a loved one has forced you to look and see which bail bond agents you can trust as well as which ones you should stay away from.
If this is your first time looking for one, you might be wondering what qualities you should look for in the bail bondsman that you choose. How can you separate the trustworthy from the untrustworthy?
Here are several tips for finding the best bail bondsman in Charlotte. Be sure to use these considerations during your process.
1. They’re Always a Call Away
A bail bondsman doesn’t get into this career for the 9 to 5 work-life balance. They choose that career because they have a legitimate passion for helping people in their darkest hours.
Because a significant portion of crimes (and thus, arrests) happens at night, you need to find a bail bondsman agent that’s willing to pick up the phone whenever you call.
If they pick up during the night time, it’s an indication that you can trust them to pick up whenever you need them most.
They’ll be willing to help you out whenever you need them. Don’t do business with an agent that wants you to cater to their business hours.
2. They Outline the Process for You
As previously mentioned, you’re not the one with an extensive background in the legal system. Therefore, you and your loved one shouldn’t be expected to know the ins and outs of the bail bonds process.
However, if you’re not careful, your lack of knowledge with the process might come back to bite you down the line.
That’s why it’s vitally important that you team up with a bail bondsman that’s willing to explain the bail bonds process to you in greater detail.
They’ll also take this time to discuss their service’s specific terms and requirements, such as what qualifies as collateral, their involvement in your court appearances, etc.
The odds of a successful and fair court process begin with your knowledge of how to go about it the correct way. An experienced and trustworthy bail bondsman will be able to help you explain.
3. Ask the Detention Officers
Many people have a false assumption that the detention officers overseeing your loved one’s situation are wanting them to stay locked up forever.
In fact, it’s just the opposite. They realize (possibly more than anybody else) that good people make mistakes all the time.
They’ll be happy to refer you to the top bail bondsman or bail agencies in Charlotte to help you out. They might also give you a bit of advice on the process and how you can get the amount lowered.
They’ll be especially sympathetic to the loved ones (you) that care deeply enough for their family members or friends to help them post bail.
Take these detention officers at their word. They see every bail bondsman in town on multiple occasions. So if they’re directing you to one or two, in particular, you can trust that they’re sending you in the right direction.
4. Find an Agent That Moves Fast
Have you ever had a company that you reached out to take down all of your information and then hang up the phone without any further directions? Even worse are the times when those services take their precious time to hold up their end of the deal.
You definitely don’t want that in the bail bondsman that you’re hiring. You want someone that’s willing to work fast for your situation.
A great way to tell if they’re the type that moves fast is to pay attention to the number of questions they ask you on your initial call.
If the bail bondsman is asking you several questions like “which jail are they at?” or “what’s their full name?”, then they’re gathering info to act fast. Those are the kinds of bail bondsman that you can trust with your loved one’s situation.
5. Ask Your Lawyer for References
Perhaps you have a lawyer that you’ve been working with for a while and trust their judgment on all things legal.
If that’s the case, then you’ll want to ask them if there are any bail bondsman in Charlotte that they’d recommend for you. Often times, a bail bondsman will gain a reputation among the community for the court appearance rates of their clientele. Your attorney will be sure to point you down the path of a bail bondsman that can help keep your loved one accountable during this time.
6. Look at Online Reviews
If you have the time, then it would be advantageous if you take a peek at a few online reviews of the bail bondsman you’re considering.
Granted, you have to take most reviews with a grain of salt, but there are often overlying themes of positive reviews or negative reviews. Whatever theme you find in the reviews of a bail bondsman you’re considering, be sure to factor in the comments that you find into your decision.
Find the Best Bail Bondsman for Your Situation
Now that you’ve seen several tips on how to find the right bail bondsman for you or your loved one’s situation, it’s time to find the right fit.
Be sure to read this article on everything that you need to know regarding bail bonds and receiving bail money. For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we’ll be happy to assist you further.
