Co-signing a bail bond entitles you to pay the full bond amount if the accused does not appear for court proceedings. Once you sign the bail bond, the defendant is released from prison while the resolution of the charges pressed against him is pending. Often this involves offering collateral like property, cars, or other tangible items. If the defendant flees and you are unable to find him or her, then you are responsible to pay for the entire bond or else you will have to surrender the collateral.
Do a background check of the accused before signing a bond
Before signing a bail bond, it is important that you know the accused very well and that the person is trustworthy. Check the defendant’s previous criminal history to ensure that he or she has a clean record or is known to appear for all court hearings or else you will be at a financial risk.
Co-signer has the right to withdraw the bond
If at any point you think that the accused may flee or skip a hearing, contact the bail bondsman straight away. The bondsman will try to find that person and send them back to jail. In this case, you are freed from your financial responsibility after the accused is behind bars.
The duration of financial obligation
One of the most important aspects that bond co-signers should consider is how long they will be financially responsible if they co-sign the bond. This bond may terminate when the charges are dropped, when the sentence is deferred, or the accused is sent to jail by the judge for violation of some policies. Consult your bond agent today for more details.
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