4 Huge Mistakes To Avoid When Posting Bail
Most people don't ever anticipate getting into a situation where they need to post bail--either for themselves or on behalf of somebody else. Unfortunately, mistakes happen. Life happens. As such, it's helpful to know both what to do and what not to do in the event that you ever need to post bail in order to get out of jail until a court date. Specifically, there are some big mistakes you'll want to avoid when it comes to posting bail through a bail bonding agency.
Lying to the Bond Agency
When requesting bail from an agency, you'll need to fill out some specific paperwork. Lying on any part of this paperwork could lead to further charges and even forfeiture of your bail money after your court date. For example, purposely listing an incorrect address in the hopes that your bail bondsman won't be able to collect payment down the road can result in serious consequences.
Skipping Bail
Provided that you show up to your court hearing(s), you should be able to receive your bail money back from the court, which means you can pay it back (less any interest and fees that you may owe). On the other hand, if you miss your court date, not only will you accrue further fees and penalties on your bail bond, but you'll also rack up additional charges and have a warrant out for your arrest.
Not Meeting Payment Deadlines
When you sign the contract with your bail bond agency to receive the funds you need to bail out, be sure to carefully read the terms of your loan and all the fine print. Specifically, you'll need to know when the money should be paid back and what fees may be associated with the service. Furthermore, be aware of the penalties for missing a repayment.
Getting Arrested Again
The worst thing you can do is to get arrested again before your scheduled court appearance. Doing so will not only lead you to need another bail bond, but could affect your previous charges as well. For example, a charge that may have been dropped by the prosecutor before may now leave you with a minimum sentence due to your second arrest. Not to mention, you'll be left with unpaid bail that could be accruing added interest and fees in the meantime. Be sure to avoid these mistakes in the event that you ever need a bail bond.