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Not everyone may be familiar with the bail bond system and how it works. Knowledge of the bail bond system is usually something you become educated on when you have to deal with your own bail or help out a friend with their bail. Here is some information about the bail bond system you will need to know if you end up in jail.

History of the Bail Bond System 

During the 13th century, the English courts needed to find a way to make the bail process equal for all classes of society. The courts wanted the poor, middle class, and rich to all be treated fairly when they were accused of a crime and awaiting their trial. Before the process of bail bonds began, only the rich were financially able to post their bail and be released out of hail.

Before bail bonds came about, if you didn't have a lot of money to post your own bail, and you weren't a prominent citizen to get released on your own recognizance, then you had to wait in jail until your trial. Without the emergence of bail bond businesses in England during the 1200s, today you would most likely end up waiting in jail until your trial date. 

How the Bail Process Works

Just as in 13th century England, someone today pays your bond's premium and fee to the bondsman, then the bail bondsman pays your bond to the court. If you are released on bail and do not show up to your court date, the bondsman will send a bounty hunter to look for you to turn you into the court. The bondsman can also come after the person who posted your bail to collect payment from them for the rest of your bail amount. 

When you don't show up for your court date, the person who paid your bond premium will also lose out on getting their money back. But, if you are found innocent of your charges in court, the person who paid your bail premium will get their money back minus any fees.

Not All States Use the Bail Bond System

A private bail bond service is not available in every state. If you live in Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, Wisconsin, or Washington, D.C., you will not have access to a bail bondsmen to help with your bail posting process. In this situation, you would have to wait in jail until your trial date, unless someone you know can pay your bail amount to the courts. 

If you live in one of the states not allowing private bail bonds, and you are charged with a crime and put in jail awaiting your trial, you can get out of jail with a signature bond. A signature bond does not require any money to be paid up front. You would need to get three or more people to sign the bond, personally vouching you will show up to your court date. But, if you don't show up on your court date, the individuals who signed your signature bond will be held financially responsible to pay on the entire bond. Contact companies like All Star Bail Bonds for specific information on laws in Nevada.

Collateral Acceptable for a Bail Bond 

Cash is not the only way for someone to pay your bail with the court or with a private bail bondsman. A person can use their own property as collateral to post your bail to release you from jail until your court date. This is especially helpful when you are innocent and you plan to go to court for your trial because once you have been found innocent in court, the court or private bail bondsman will release the property back to the person who posted your bail.

A court or bail bond company can also accept vehicles, real estate, jewelry, stocks, bonds, and even bank accounts to secure a bail bond. But, if your friend or relative uses their property as collateral on the bond and you don't go to court, your friend or relative will lose their property to the courts or the bail bondsman to cover the cost of your bail.

These interesting facts about bail bonds may come in handy for you one day.