Bond vs. Bail: Is there a Difference?
Crime affects all communities and socioeconomic groups; however, some cases may lead to jail before conviction. Most people would like to avoid serving any time in jail. Therefore, when not released on own recognizance they can request a bail or bond hearing to facilitate defending a criminal case outside of jail custody.
Bond vs. Bail
The average person probably does not understand the difference between bond and bail. Bail is simply the amount of money that the individual must pay the court to secure their release until their trial date. A bond is the physical document that is given to the court to secure the release, the bond remains on the case until the bond is exonerated. The bail amount varies according to the crime. Once a bail amount is set an individual can pay the court directly or if needed hire a bail bond agency to assist in facilitating a bail bond for a non-refundable fee for providing the bail bond service.
The Role of the Bail Bond Company
Bail bond companies like All-Pro Bail Bonds play a very important role in the legal system. The courts set bail for the arrested individual. For those who are not able to post bail on their own they contact a bail bond company to pledge the bail for them. They pay the bail bond company a percentage of the bail amount. Commonly, the percentage is about ten percent of the bail set by the court.
Own Recognizance vs Bail Bond
Own recognizance vs bail bond is another distinct issue. It is important to note that a percentage of those arrested for minor crimes are released on their own recognizance. The individual is booked and processed through the legal system but does not have to pay bail, however, they are issued a citation with a date to appear in court. Typically, those arrested for a major crime are offered bail bond for their release.
How the Bail Process Works
The individual is arrested for a crime and booked. The paperwork is filed and processed. The individual is placed in a jail cell. A bail hearing is posted within 48 hours, and the judge sets the bail. The individual might pay the bail with their own money or contact a bond company like All-Pro Bail Bond to post bail. Some individuals arrested for minor crimes are released on their own recognizance.
