How does a property bond work? A property bond allows you to secure release from jail by using your own property as collateral.
A property bond is an option when you don’t have enough cash to pay your bail amount. For help learning about property bonds and how bail bonds work, connect with a Columbus property bail bonds agent.
A Property Bail Bond Gives You Options
Alleged offenders are taken into police custody following their arrest. Officers take them through the booking process. Then, the arrestee is locked in a jail cell until their first court appearance, called an arraignment. At this hearing, the judge reads the charges and sets bail.
Paying bail allows offenders to wait for their trial outside of jail. They can go home to their loved ones. Sometimes bail amounts exceed what offenders and loved ones can afford. A property bond is one way to get a bail bond on a limited budget. An experienced bail bonds agent can help explain the process to you.
Call (614) 221-0100 today to speak with our experienced Ohio bail bondsman!
How a Property Bond Works
Property represents one type of bail collateral you can use if you don’t have the cash to pay bail. The property could be real estate, jewelry, a vehicle, or other item of value. You must provide proof of ownership to use the property as your bond.
A property bond works like this: The court assesses the value of the property in question. The typical requirement is that it represents 1.5 to 2 times the bail amount. The evaluation process can take time and demands a professional appraisal to determine if the property meets the value standards.
What Happens to Property Used as Collateral
If you are using an item, such as a vehicle, artwork, or jewelry, as collateral, the court will take ownership of that item for the duration of your trial. If you put up real estate as collateral, the court places a lien on the property for that period.
Once your case is resolved, and provided you have not violated bail conditions, the court returns your items to you or removes the lien from your property. If you don’t comply, the court can sell the property to recoup the bail amount.
Bail Conditions Explained
Judges often attach conditions to your release. These conditions depend on the alleged offense, your history, and other factors. You may have to wear an electronic monitor or follow a curfew. You may only be allowed to leave your home for school, work, and appointments. If the offense involves drug or alcohol use, you may lose driving privileges or be required to attend substance abuse classes.
No matter what restrictions the judge imposes, you must follow them. Your compliance helps your case outcome and prevents bail revocation.
Determining What Property to Use for Your Bond
You need to know how much your bail is before deciding what property to use for collateral. The Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules, Section 2937.23, establishes how bail amounts are determined.
Bail schedules, or predetermined amounts, may apply to misdemeanor offenses, which are less serious crimes. When the schedule doesn’t apply, the judge considers the offender’s:
- Criminal record
- Character and standing in the community
- Financial resources
- Flight risk
The severity of the crime factors significantly in the judge’s determination, as does the amount of evidence against the offender.
Contact our bail bondsman today at (614) 221-0100 to get your bail bond now!
How a Property Bond Works to Support Your Criminal Case
The most obvious way a property bond helps your case is by getting you out of jail and back into a supportive environment. Jail conditions hurt your overall well-being. It’s difficult to sleep or eat well. There is often constant noise. You’re surrounded by people who aren’t happy to be where they are. You are away from your loved ones.
A property bond can get you out of jail and back home to your loved ones. You’ll be emotionally stronger and physically healthier and therefore, more able to help with your defense. You also have more freedom to talk with your defense team about your case.
If your bail terms allow, you can also continue going to school or working while you await trial. This means you won’t lose course credits and can earn income to avoid falling into financial distress.
Our bail bondsman is available 24/7. Call us at (614) 221-0100
An Experienced Bail Bonds Agent Can Present All Your Options
Finalizing a property bond can take more time than paying bail in cash or posting bond through a bail bond agent, and you spend that time in jail. There are also often additional fees to pay when securing a property bond, such as property appraisal fees.
Another option when you don’t have enough money to pay your bail is to work with a bail bonds agent. You pay us 10% of your bail amount, and we promise the court to pay your full bail if you don’t return to court on your assigned dates or otherwise break bail conditions.
As long as you show up for court dates and honor your bail terms, you do not have to pay more towards your bail.
Work With a Trustworthy Team
Whatever option you choose to get out of jail, be sure to work with a team you can trust and that follows the law. Our team is “qualified, licensed, and appointed” as required under the Ohio Administrative Code, Rule 3905.84. Rule 3901-1-66 defines a code of conduct for agents, establishing specific parameters for handling property bonds. We follow these laws to the letter.
We offer free case consultations, so you have nothing to lose by reaching out. Honesty and transparency are non-negotiable when choosing a bond agent. We make sure you know all the details of an agreement before we officially enter a partnership.
Find Out if a Property Bond Works for Your Situation
Andy Callif Bail Bonds can explain how a property bond works. We can also help determine if another jail-release option may better serve your needs.
Facing criminal charges is scary, and navigating the bail system alone is intimidating. There’s no need to work through this process by yourself. You can count on us to help you find solutions.
Our Ohio bail bondsman is available 24/7, call us (614) 221-0100!