What Is Bail Bonding?
- The idea behind a bail bond is to provide monetary incentive for the defendant to show up to his court date.
- Typically, bonds are too high to pay outright, so a bail bondsman is used. A bondsman will pay the entire amount of the bond, charging the defendant 10 percent of the total bond as a fee. When the accused shows up for the trial, the bondsman is given the money back.
- Bail bonding is a non-refundable process. Once paid to the bondsman, the transaction is final.
- The practice of bail bonding is used exclusively in the United States, and is considered a crime akin to obstruction of justice or tampering with evidence in other countries.
- In the event the defendant does not show up to the court hearing as agreed upon, bondsman typically employ bounty hunters to find the accused party and collect the money.