An attorney for bail bond is someone who will seek bail for his client if they have been allowed freedom until trial on the strength of a bond of a certain amount (set by the Court). This guarantees that the defendant will appear in court on a particular date for trial. A lawyer for bail bond makes the arrangements by paying cash, or putting up collateral owned by his client. The amount depends largely on the seriousness of the crime committed. A higher amount will be required of someone charged with armed robbery than someone who is jailed because they stole someone's car in the dead of night.
Once the lawyer has arranged for the client's release by obtaining the bail, he can then work on the client's defense. By the time the court date arrives, they will be thoroughly prepared for trial, and the client will have made a good first impression by honoring the bail bond and arriving on time. The lawyer for bail bond assumes the position of defense attorney. It is possible for someone to obtain bail on their own if they know how it is done, but for most people the best thing to do is turn that task over to their representation.
Someone arrested on a criminal charge may be held until trial, unless they furnish the required amount of money or collateral. The bonding company is guaranteeing the appearance of the defendant at court on the required date. This is a protection for the court. If the defendant does not appear as promised, the amount becomes payable by the surety insurer issuing the bond. This is why collateral is required in the form of cash, deed, or other property. Because of the nature of this business, bondsmen are licensed by the state, and if an individual requires the services of one, an attorney for bail bond will be sure the bondsman is licensed in the defendants state.
The attorney does not pay the amount for the defendant, so if the individual does not have the cash, some collateral will have to be offered that has a value of the premium. This amount is usually about ten percent of the total amount plus actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. It may include reimbursement for long distance phone calls, excess travel expenses, posting fees, attorney fees and court costs. The amount will continue to grow and can add up over time. Keeping records accurate and up to date will be vital in this situation.
The defendant or the lawyer for bail bond should keep the bondsman advised of changes of address for any of the parties to the agreement. When someone other than the defendant has secured the amount, that person must aid the skip tracer in locating the defendant. The agent provides to the defendant and the court copies of all signed documents, and information regarding the status of the bond and changes in assigned dates. Along with the attorney for bail bond, the agent must also report the status of any costs due, as imposed by the court and must assist in locating the defendant, should forfeiture occur. And, presuming everything has gone as it's supposed to, the collateral must be returned upon the exoneration. The attorney will generally follow up on this, if it is necessary. The premium is not refundable.
There must be some sort of trust between the lawyer and the defendant. The attorney for bail bond must take the client's word that they will appear as ordered when the representative arranges for a bail bond. If that client does not appear, the lawyer for bail bond, and anyone else having any kind of relationship with the defendant will be called upon to assist in getting the defendant to court where he promised to appear. Since this process is dealing with criminals, that bond is frequently forfeited precisely because the client/defendant fails to meet their obligations.
This process is a courtesy the court offers to defendants to allow them freedom while awaiting trial. If a person believes in their defense arguments and the attorney for bail bond hired, there is no good reason for not meeting the obligations and making the most of the time until trial. If the defendant has a job, he or she can go back to work. If they do not work, this is not the time to get involved in anything else illegal, but an opportunity to do something good for the community--which will certainly look good in the eyes of the court judge. Court proceedings don't take place in God's system of justice. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" (Ephesians 1:7). Because of the salvation offered through Christ, sinners can repent of their misdeeds and ask for forgiveness.
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