The term bounty hunter has a romanticized notion for many Americans. It conjures up images of a vigilante hunting down desperate criminals. While it might be fun to watch bounty hunters on TV, you definitely do not want them hunting you down. Thus, if you are arrested and faced with the need to make bail, you need to understand how the bail system works. 

How Much Can You Be Charged in Bail?

The amount of money you are charged for bail depends on what kind of crime you have committed. The more violent or malicious the crime is that you have committed, the higher your bail will be. Minor crimes carry a much smaller bail. Thus, if you have only committed a small crime, you or your family may be able to pay your bill on your own. On the other hand, if you have a high bail to pay, you may have to work with a bail bondsman.

How Does Bonding Work?

A bail bondsman basically offers a loan by paying your bond to the court. In return for these services, the bondsman will charge a fee. Thus, you end up paying a small percentage of your bail. The bondsman gets their money back as long as you show up for court and meet whatever other requirements the court places upon you. 

What Happens if You Don't Show up to Court?

If you don't show up to court like you are supposed to, the bonding agency that you contracted with forfeits the money they staked for you. As long as you show up to court, the money is returned to the bonding agency. Thus, bonding agencies have an incentive to make sure you make it to court even if you don't see the incentive. To get their money back, a bonding agency can hunt you down and haul you to court. To avoid all the mess of failing to make bond, you should go to court and meet all court-assigned obligations.

Working with a bail bonding agency is a convenient way to make bail when you simply do not have the funds to make bail on your own. On the other hand, if you miss your court date, a company that once offered a convenience can turn into an adversary who will hunt you relentlessly, so they can take you back to court and get their money back. Thus, for the sake of everyone involved. make sure you understand the obligations involved in working with a bonding agency. 

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