What to Look for When Choosing a Bail Bondsman

Bail bondsmen are an important asset to a defendant in a criminal proceeding.  The experience a bail bondsman possesses can greatly work  in your favor. Alternatively, inexperience could cost you dearly. It is important to know the facts and have a clear understanding when it comes to the different options and situations you may experience.

Bondsman Licensing

By law, all bail bonds companies must be fully licensed by the state they are operating under. For instance, if you are arrested in Los Angeles, and are in need of a bail bondsman, then the company you inquire about should be licensed by the State of California Department of Insurance. 

Experience is Paramount

Like most industries, quality in a bondsman comes from experience.  Operating under the perplexing environment of a court room or jail system, a bail agent needs to be familiar and knowledgeable in the specific court or jail where you need assistance. From state to state and county to county, each jail system is set up differently, and only through experience, can a bondsman properly operate the laws in the defendant’s best interest.

Additionally, a bondsman with experience will not only be able to quickly assess if he or she can help you, but will be able provide high dollar bail amounts. Inexperienced bondsmen have low “underwriting” limits on bonds. Their bonds need to be approved by an outside entity. So, if you need a bond in excess of $50,000 (which may sound high, but is regular in Los Angeles and Orange County), be sure that you find a bondsman who can readily accommodate you.

Options to Meet Your Needs

When obtaining a bail bondsman, flexibility is also an important factor. Their fees will be the same from defendant to defendant, however, providing payment plans and options will be necessary in order to fill the need of the client. Some bail bond companies allow credit card payments, financing, or no collateral bonds. When a bail bondsman puts effort into understanding a client’s financial position, and can provide a solution, it’s a great sign that they care for your situation.

Another deciding factor is the ease of accessibility to the bail bondsman. Often, clients find that they are in need of contacting their bail bondsman at seemingly inconvenient hours. This can be during the posting of a bail bond, or after the initial bond has posted and the defendant has been released. In these cases, the bail bondsman needs to be available and able to deal with someone in a professional manner. Bail bondsmen should be easy to contact and readily available.

Similarly, do you need to physically travel to the bondsman? Will they come to you? Meet you at the jail where you are picking up the defendant? Work with you via email? The best and most experienced bondsmen will meet your needs and concerns. Be willing to ask for what you need.

There are many companies to choose from in deciding which bail bondsman will serve you better. Obtaining the best bail bondsman may be hard at first, but with knowledge in these areas allow you to have a greater chance at hiring one that suits your specific needs.

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