If you or someone close to you is in custody, a skilled Helena bail bondsman can bail you out of custody. Time spent behind bars translates to lost family time and limited time to create a defense. Our bail bondsmen at the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds provide timely bail bonds services. We will not keep you waiting when you call us because we understand the agony of sitting in custody.
A Bail Bond And How It Works
A bail bond is a commitment made by a criminal defendant to show up in court or forfeit a sum of money the court sets. A Helena bail bondsman can post bail on your behalf, and in return, you will pay a fee known as a bail bond premium.
You will have a bail hearing before a judge, during which the judge will set the bail figure. The money you will post as bail can vary depending on the judge’s discretion. The judge can increase the bail or deny you bail if you are convicted of a violent offense or deemed a flight risk.
Often, judges have a wide latitude when deciding on the amount of bail, and typical amounts differ by jurisdiction. The bail figure can be as low as $500 if you face charges for a nonviolent misdemeanor offense. On the other hand, felony offense charges have correspondingly high bail figures, usually $20,000 or more. If you do not have enough money to pay the bail in cash, you will need a Helena bail bondsman to help you post a surety bond.
You have the following choices once the amount of bail is set:
- Post the amount of bail in cash
- Arrange for a bail bond
- Stay in custody until the charges are resolved at trial
Sometimes, judges can accept a title to a home or other collateral of value instead of cash.
The Role Of A Helena Bail Bondsman
A bail bondsman provides a written contract to the criminal court and commits themselves to post the entire bail if the defendant whose appearances the bail bondsman has guaranteed fails to attend court hearings. You will pay your Helena bail bondsman 10% of the bail upfront in exchange for their service. A bail bondsman can also demand a statement of creditworthiness or ask you to turn over collateral in the form of assets or securities. Most bail bondsmen accept assets of value, including houses, jewelry, cars, stocks, and bonds. You will be released once the bail or bail bond is delivered and stay out of custody until trial.
Types Of Bail Bonds In Helena
Helena bail bondsmen offer various types of bail bonds, including the following:
Citation Bonds
Also known as own recognizance bonds, citation bonds are granted when you are released from jail based on your promise to appear in court without needing to post bail. Courts always grant citation bonds for minor crimes or first-time offenders with no past criminal records.
Signature Bonds
Signature bonds are the same as citation bonds, but you must make a commitment to appear in court. No collateral or money is needed upfront, but your signature serves as a guarantee.
Property Bonds
Property bonds could be real estate or other assets of value as collateral to secure the bail amount. You or your close relative could pledge an asset like a car, land, or house to the court to carter for the bail. The court could foreclose on the property to recover the bail figure if you fail to show up in court.
Cash Bail
You can post your full bail amount in cash or through a certified check directly to the court. A cash bail is a straightforward bail. In this case, you will be released from custody when you deposit the bail money with the court. The court can refund the bail money at the end of the case if you meet all court requirements and attend all set hearings. However, the refund will be less any administrative fees that the court imposes.
Surety Bonds
Surety bonds are popular and involve a surety company or Helena bail bondsman offering a financial guarantee to the court that you will show up for your set court dates. The surety company or bail bondsman acts as a third party who promises to pay the entire bail if you fail to attend your court hearings.
Determining The Bail Amount
The judge has the discretion to decide the amount of bail based on the following factors:
- The perceived flight risk
- Your criminal record, and
- The severity of the alleged crime
The judge will set a higher bail for more serious charges. When determining bail, the judge will also consider your ties to the community to assess the likelihood of your return to court.
Factors That Can Lead To Bail Forfeiture
Several circumstances can lead to bail forfeiture, prompting the judge to order your re-arrest. Some of the factors that can lead to bail forfeiture include the following:
Fraud Or Misrepresentation
A Helena bail bondsman can cancel your bail and pursue legal action to recover any losses if the bail is secured through misrepresentation or fraudulent information provided by the defendant.
Violating Bail Conditions
Bail conditions ensure that you adhere to the legal requirements and behave right while out on bail. The bondsman’s risk will increase if you violate the conditions. Common violations include committing an additional offense, failing to comply with travel restrictions, or participating in prohibited activities. Your bail amount can be forfeited if you violate the bail conditions.
Failing To Show Up For Court Hearings
You can trigger the bondsman’s liability for the full bail amount if you fail to show up for your court hearings. If you skip bail, your Helena bail bondsman can pursue legal action to recover the bail amount from you or your co-signer. Failing to attend court sessions is a breach of the bail bond contract.
Someone Pays the Bail Fee
You or your representative must pay a non-refundable fee if you secure bail through a Helena bail bondsman. The premium is usually 10% of the whole bail amount. This fee compensates the bail bondsman for their service and the financial risk he/she assumes by guaranteeing the bail amount. If you default or fail to pay the premium, your bail bondsman can forfeit the bail bond, triggering your re-arrest.
Court Information
Helena Municipal Court
816 Highway 52, Helena, AL - 35080
Jail Information
The Lewis and Clark County Detention Center
221 Breckenridge Street, Helena, MT, 59601
Find A Skilled Helena Bail Bondsman Near Me
After an arrest, you will need a reliable Helena bail bondsman to bail you out of jail within the shortest time possible. Our committed bail bondsmen at the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds are located strategically close to the main jail. We will not keep you waiting when you call us. We will spring into action to take you out of custody. Call us today at 800-930-8999 to talk to a bail bondsman.