Advocates for civil rights want to see the bail system reformed so that it isn’t so heavily weighted against low-income men and women. A person of means has little trouble paying $25,000 for bail, either by handing over the cash or using real estate as collateral. The bail will be returned as long as all court appointments are made. A low-income person, in contrast, often must rely on a Bail Bond Agency to regain freedom after the arrest.
Bail Bonds Service Fees
Although the option to get help from a Bail Bond Agency is a major relief for arrested people and their families, it requires paying a fee for the service. The person making the arrangements might be required to pay $2,500 for the $25,000 bond, as this is a standard percentage in the industry. Even $2,000 can be a tough amount to gather for the many men and women considered to be low-income U.S. residents. For large numbers of U.S. residents, $25,000 is a year’s salary. Often, a bail bond company is willing to allow the customer to have a payment arrangement so the full amount is not due all at once.
Populations Most Affected
Research confirms that the bail system disproportionately has a negative effect on poor people and minorities. Individuals who do not believe bail reform is necessary might say that a wealthy person isn’t the one robbing a liquor store. However, a wealthy person charged with embezzlement or murder may very well be able to pay a much larger amount of bail and be released from jail before trial.
An Insurance Policy
Essentially, this bond, from a company such as Strike Three Bonds, functions as an insurance policy guaranteeing the defendant will not miss any court appearances. The bond service becomes liable for the full cash bail if the defendant disappears. That typically leads to the company sending out a bounty hunter to find its missing customer and bring this person back. The defendant now will not be eligible for bail again and will have to stay in jail until trial or until the case is resolved another way. That usually means having a public defender negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution. You can also visit them on Twitter for more information.
