After your arrest, you can post bail to secure your release while awaiting trial. A judge will set bail amounts based on various factors, including your criminal history, community ties, and flight risk, which could be too hefty for you to afford upfront. That is where a bondsman steps in. They will provide your surety bonds guaranteeing your court appearances backed by an insurer at a 10% fee of your entire bail amount. Please read this blog to learn how bail bonds work in Ohio.
Defining Bail Bonds
Bail is the property or money required by the court to guarantee that you, the defendant, will attend your scheduled court dates once police release you from detention. The court will forfeit your bail if you fail to meet your bargain.
Sometimes, a defendant might not have the financial muscle to pay bail in cash. In this case, they can partner with a bondsman who will pay a surety bond with the court in return for a 10% non-refundable premium.
Step-by-Step Guide: How Do Bail Bonds Work in Ohio
Here is how bail bonds work in Ohio:
- If the police arrest you for allegedly committing a crime, they will take you to a station for booking, where they will book you
- Next, you will attend your initial court hearing (arraignment). During the hearing, the judge will set your bail amount.
- You or your loved one should post the required amount with the court to secure your release. There are different payment methods, including using property bonds, cash bail, and surety bonds. If you do not have the amount, you can work with a bondsman who will post a surety bond with the court. The bondsman will charge a 10% fee of your total bail amount.
- After your bondsman posts the amount, the police will release you from detention.
- You should attend all your court hearings after your release.
Factors that Influence an Accused Person’s Bail Amount
When setting bail, the judge will consider the following:
- Is the defendant a danger to public safety?
- Is the accused likely to flee the jurisdiction?
- Does the defendant have a history of committing other crimes?
- The nature and seriousness of the criminal activity
- Whether the crime involved the use of a deadly weapon or a firearm
- Whether the accused has allegedly threatened the victim or witnesses
- Whether the accused possessed illegal drugs or used them?
- Does the accused have a criminal history?
Can Agreeing to Court-Imposed Conditions Lower My Bail?
It can. It is where the skills and experience of your defense lawyer come into play. They can suggest bail conditions as a strategy to secure a reduced bail amount or an own recognizance release from a hesitant judge. Nevertheless, the judge must not impose bail conditions that breach your constitutional rights.
Some of the bail conditions your lawyer can suggest include the following:
- Limiting your travel
- Surrendering your passport or driver’s licence
- You must not drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system
- Wearing a SCRAM monitoring device if you are charged with an alcohol-related crime
- You should not interact with specific people or visit certain places
Essential Information You Must Provide to a Bondsman Before They Post Your Bail
To expedite your release process, you should provide your bondsman with the following information before:
- Your date of birth
- Your official name
- Your alleged charges
- The police station where you are detained
- Your employer’s name and address
- Your contact details and physical address
- The set bail amount
- Your booking number
The Relationship Between How Do Bail Bonds Work in Ohio and Credit Scoring
Lenders use credit scores between 300 and 850 to rate a person’s creditworthiness. Your lenders will approve loans and offer favorable rates, given your high credit score. Factors like total debt degrees and repayment history affect your credit score.
While there is no direct implication of bail bonds since bail bonds are not a loan, entering into a financing agreement with a bondsman can trigger credit reporting. Bail bonds’ credit implications can arise when you enter a flexible financing plan agreement and fail to make your agreed-upon payments on time.
Why Should You Consider Working With a Bondsman?
A bail bonds company is the financial bridge for defendants who cannot afford to pay bail upfront. Here is how they assist:
- Offer professional and fast help — Being arrested can be devastating. Your bondsman will process the relevant paperwork and secure your release promptly.
- Arrests happen at any time. Skilled bail bond service providers are available 24/7 and can offer prompt help whenever needed.
- Your bondsman can help you understand your release conditions, ensuring you remain compliant.
- Affordable bail solution — With a bondsman, you pay a portion of your total bail instead of the full amount. Even if you can afford the premium, your bondsman can work with you to develop an affordable repayment plan. The repayment plan will allow you to make an initial deposit and clear the balance as agreed upon.
The Role of Collateral and How Do Bail Bonds Work in Ohio
Regarding how bail bonds work in Ohio, collateral refers to anything valuable a defendant offers to the bondsman as an assurance or security for their bail bond. It is a strategy for the company to mitigate the financial risk of offering bail bonds. Common types of collateral include cars, real property, collectibles, electronics, and jewelry.
Offering collateral symbolizes your intent to abide by your release conditions and make scheduled court appearances. If you skip bail, the court will forfeit the bail amount posted with the court. To recover the loss incurred, the bondsman will sell the collateral.
Contact a Responsive and Compassionate Bail Bonds Company Near Me
While the law allows a pre-trial release through bail, only a few defendants can raise the required amount, especially if the judge sets a high amount. That is where a bondsman comes in. The bondsman will post your surety bond with the court for a premium. That way, you can continue caring for your family, working, and building your case defense while avoiding an extended time behind bars.
At Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, our responsive bondsmen are committed to putting your mind at ease and can answer your questions at any time and guide you on how bail bonds work in Ohio. We can also customize a flexible payment plan that suits your budget. Please contact us at 844-400-2245 to learn how we can help you.
