A bail bond or surety bond refers to a guarantee to the court by a licensed bail bondsman that a defendant will be present at all court appearances. Securing pretrial release on a bail bond in Indiana is simpler than it may seem. It is guided by definite procedures stipulated by the state's judicial system and the Indiana Department of Insurance, which licenses all bail bondsmen. You want to understand the bail bond process so your release process can work smoothly. Read along to know how bail bonds work in Indiana.
Understanding Bail Bonds in Indiana
Once your loved one is arrested, a judge will determine bail, a set amount of money that the court will keep to guarantee that you will appear for court hearings. You may pay this entire sum to the court in cash, a procedure called a cash bond.
However, these amounts may be extremely high; therefore, most individuals hire bail bondsmen. A bail bond is an agreement under which a licensed bondsman assures the court that the accused will attend all court proceedings, in return for a non-refundable premium fee (10% of the set bail). This renders the release much cheaper and is the most prevalent release sought in Indiana.
The Bail Bond Process in Indiana
After your arrest and once your loved one has been booked in a local jail, you will contact a licensed Indiana bail bondsman to secure their pretrial release through a bail bond service. You will give the defendant's full name and the jail where they are detained. After providing basic information, you will complete an application and sign a Bail Indemnity Agreement, the formal contract.
The bail bondsman takes the signed contract, and you pay the necessary premium. The bail bondsman will then proceed to the jail to secure your loved one’s release. The release may take several hours or even more, depending on the facility's workload.
What Happens to the Premium Fee After Posting a Bail Bond
The amount of money you pay to a bail bondsman is a non-refundable fee. This fee is a compensation for the bondsman for their professional services and for guaranteeing the court that you will attend all court proceedings if the accused does not show up in court, and the bondsman will forfeit the entire bail amount to the court.
Bail Bond Service Fee Payment in Indiana
The individual who signs the bail bond agreement, the co-signer or indemnitor, is financially liable. By signing, the cosigner accepts two primary responsibilities: paying the non-refundable premium and ensuring the defendant's appearance on all court dates. If your loved one does not appear for the court proceedings, you, as the co-signer, are liable to repay the bail bond company the entire sum of the bail bond.
Indiana’s Time Frame to Refund Bail Bonds
Many people have the wrong impression that money given to a bail bondsman is refunded at the conclusion of a case. The bail bond service fee is non-refundable. Only a cash bond (paid directly to the court) may be refunded, minus any court fees or fines, after the case ends.
Find Reliable Indiana Bail Bond Services Near Me
The bail system in Indiana can be stressful; however, with a team of efficient bail bondsmen, it will be much easier. Understanding how bail bonds work in Indiana is only the first step; taking action with trusted bail bondsmen can make securing the release of your loved one much smoother. At Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, our bail bondsmen are available 24/7 to provide fast and confidential assistance throughout the process. Contact us today at 844-400-2245 to speak with our licensed bail bondsmen for professional help in securing the release of your loved one in Indiana.
