“How does bail bonds work in Illinois?” is a common question many people ask, especially when they or their loved ones are under arrest. If you are curious about how bail bonds work in Illinois, you are in the right place. An arrest can happen to anyone, and when it happens to you, you need to know the fastest way you can secure your freedom.
One of the ways you can secure your freedom is by posting a bail bond, but what is it, and what does it mean?
Understanding Bail Bonds in Illinois
A bail bond is an agreement that allows you to secure your freedom following an arrest to await your case’s trial date at home with your loved ones. In this agreement, you promise to attend all your scheduled court hearings. When you fail to do so, the bail bond will ensure the court will receive your full bail amount, which a bail bondsman often guarantees.
Authority of Bail Bonds in Illinois
As mentioned earlier, if you are curious about how does bail bond work in Illinois, you are in the right place. Illinois does not permit the use of bail bondsmen to secure your freedom after an arrest. After an arrest, you must post your bail directly with the court. Working with a credible criminal defense attorney can help make the bail process seamless after an arrest.
Putting Your House Up for Bail Bond in Chicago
In other states where bail bond services are legal, a bail bondsman may request that you, the defendant, surrender property as collateral for your freedom. However, since you cannot use the services of a bail bondsman to post your bail bond in Chicago, you cannot lose your house to a third party when you skip bail.
However, if you decide to post a property bond, the court could seize your property if you fail to return for the scheduled hearings. If you have further questions about how bail works, your attorney can provide additional insights.
Lawyers Accepting Bail Bonds in Illinois
An attorney does not offer bail bond services, but he/she can help you secure your freedom on bail following an arrest. The judge will determine your eligibility for a release from jail on bail based on whether:
- You are a flight risk
- You have a criminal record
- Whether you are a threat to public safety
An attorney can significantly influence the judge's decision on the bail hearing.
Expectations for Bail Bond Amounts in Illinois
Bail amounts in Illinois vary from case to case. Although it is not a punishment for your offense, the amount could be significant enough to provide you with an incentive to make all your court appearances. Some of the factors that could come into play when determining how much you should pay include the following:
- Your financial resources
- The seriousness of your offense
- The likelihood of making your court appearances
The Purpose of Bail Bond in Illinois
Bail allows you to stay out of legal custody as your case continues following an arrest for an alleged offense. In other words, bail allows you to preserve your legal right to stay free before the court makes a judgment on your case.
For states that accept bail bond services, a bail bond can help ensure you are out of jail following an arrest without breaking the bank.
Bond Percentage for Bail in Chicago
In other states, a bail bondsman will often charge you ten percent of your bail amount as a premium. However, since Chicago does not permit bail bond services, you should be ready to pay your offense bail amount after an arrest.
Find a Bail Bondsman Near Me
“How does bail bond work in Illinois?” is a common question our bail bondsmen at Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds receive from most arrestees. While it is a valid concern, Illinois does not allow defendants or arrestees to secure their pretrial freedom using bail bond services.
If you are wondering how bail bonds work in Illinois, we invite you to call us at 844-400-2245, and our bail bondsmen will be happy to provide more clarification on the matter.
