3 Things You Need to Know About Bail Bonds

Hopefully, you never need to know about bail bonds, but its fair to say that at some point in your life someone you know may need one. I have been in the business over 7 years now and I can tell you there is a lot to know before selecting a bail bondsman. Some of the biggest complaints revolve around responsiveness and transparency.

Is your Bail Bondsman truly punctual? As previously stated the bail bond industry is very competitive. Needless to say, once you dial the phone and a bondsman answers he wants your business. The size of the bail is a motivational factor as his fee is based on a percentage of the bail. So if your bail is high it is more likely he will be punctual as he looks to make more money. The problem is he was likely doing something else when you called. In the bail bond industry, it is very rare for a bondsman to just be sitting in an office waiting for a call. One common ploy used by bondsman is to give an estimated time of arrival that is much faster than he can actually deliver. This way you will not call another bondsman and he has you locked into his services.  Luckily today we have the internet and you can check reviews. If you see no reviews or worse still many bad reviews its fair to say you may want to avoid that bondsman. If you see many reviews with punctuality that is probably not your guy. I cannot always get right to a client, but I am always honest on my time of arrival. My feeling is its better to under promise and over deliver.

Is your Bail Bondsman Transparent on fees? In our state of Connecticut, the fees are actually capped by the state so there is little chance a bail bondsman can charge inflated fees. That said if your bail amount is high there is wiggle room for him to reduce fees. Some bondsman charge other fees that are allowable by the state especially on small bond amounts. The bondsman should relate those fees in advance so you're not blindsided by extra charges. It is best to just plain ask what the total cost will be inclusive of any and all charges and fees. That way you can be prepared on what it will cost. If when the bondsman arrives the fees aren’t exactly or less then you are quoted you may want to consider another company. Dennis Perkins Bail Bonds is always transparent on our fees. You do not need to ask because we will always tell you before we leave the office.

Is your Bail Bondsman knowledgeable on the process? It is important to remember that your bondsman is not a lawyer and cannot give you legal advice of any sort. You will need to contact a reputable lawyer for legal advice.  A bondsman that is experienced and knowledgeable can, however, explain what you can expect as far as the legal process and give you referrals to reputable attorneys who may specialize in your particular type of case. I have been doing this for

7 years now and can tell you I learn something new every day. Each police department has its own way of doing things as does each courthouse and lockup. Knowing those processes makes the bonding process much faster. Its fair to say when selecting a bondsman, the one with experience is more likely to expedite the process of bonding your loved one out. Do not be afraid to ask if your bondsman is familiar with the particular agency you are dealing with or you may pay the price of extra long wait times.

In conclusion choosing the best bondsman for your situation is really not that complicated if you spend a few minutes checking out their background, experience and ask the right questions in advance. You are likely already stressed by the circumstances, the last thing you need to further exacerbate the situation.  We here at Dennis Perkins bail Bonds always try to under promise and over deliver. You have my commitment on that.

-Dennis Perkins