Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bail bond?

A bail bond is a written promise that secures the defendant’s appearance in court at the scheduled time and date. It releases the defendant from jail until it’s time for him or her to appear at court.

Posting a bail bond is a popular option for defendants who can’t pay the full bail amount. By working with Charlotte Bail Bonds, the defendant only needs to pay a fraction of the bail amount (usually 15%).

If the defendant fulfills the conditions, the bail is dissolved. Our team keeps your initial payment and returns any collateral. If the defendant fails to appear, our team will go after full payment and can use the collateral to pay the full amount of the bail to the court.

What do I do if my relative was arrested?

The first step is to stay calm. You need a clear mind to get your relative out of jail quickly.

1. If you’re present at the arrest, politely ask the officer for his or her name, the charges your relative faces, and the precinct he or she will be taken to. Take note of the time and date of the arrest. Don’t argue with the officer.
2. If your relative calls you from jail, don’t discuss the details of the arrest over the phone. Most jail phone conversations are recorded. Instead, ask the name of the jail, his or her charges, and the bail amount.
3. Contact a bail bondsman to post bail on your behalf. This would release your loved one from jail while he or she awaits a court appearance.
4. Call a lawyer to create a strong legal defense for your loved one.

What’s the difference between a surety and a cash bond?

With cash bonds, the defendant or another individual posts the full bail amount with the court. If the defendant follows the terms of his or her release, the court returns the full amount at the end of the trial.

Surety bonds, on the other hand, means the defendant or his or her loved ones enlist the services of a bail bond company. The latter charges a fee (usually 15% of the bail) in return for helping release the defendant.

What are the cosigner’s responsibilities once the bail is posted?

A cosigner’s liabilities don’t end with the down payment. He or she must:

• Ensure that the defendant appears for every court date and all court proceedings that stem from the charges
• Be liable for the full bail amount if the defendant fails to show up at scheduled appearances
• Contact the bail bond company and inform them of the location of the defendant in case of non-appearance

How does collateral work?

Collateral is a property or asset that bail bond companies use to secure and protect the liability taken of the full bail amount.

Should the defendant violate the terms of the release or fail to appear at scheduled court appearances, the bail bond company can seize the collateral to settle the bail amount.