After you or a loved one has been arrested for an alleged offense, a judge will set bail to secure release from jail while awaiting trial. Depending on the severity of the crime and other relevant factors, the bail amount can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
One option you have to get out of jail is to pay the bail amount to the court. Unfortunately, because arrests come unexpectedly, you might not have the financial means to cover the total due.
Now, you have two choices. You can forgo bailing out of jail and wait until your case resolves. Or, you can hire a bail bonds agency to post bail on your behalf. If you want to pursue the second option, you might be wondering how much it will cost you. We'll discuss that in this blog.
The Premium for Bail Bonds in Ohio
Under Ohio law, bail bond agencies cannot charge more than a 10% premium for their services. This means that if you choose to have a company help you through the process, you will pay a small portion of the bail amount set by the judge.
For instance, if bail was set a $10,000 and the bail company assesses a 10% fee, the cost for having the agency help get out of jail is $1,000. Other charges may also apply.
Is the Premium Returned?
The bail bond premium is non-refundable, meaning you won't get it back. However, several benefits exist to choosing a bail bond company instead of paying bail out of pocket.
First, you won't be required to pay a large sum upfront. That $10,000 (or whatever amount your bail is set for) can put a financial strain on you, your family members, or your friends. The 10% premium may be a lot easier on your pocketbook than the total bail amount.
Second, when you go through a bail bond agency, you'll have a knowledgeable bondsperson on your side throughout the process. A trusted company will have years of experience, and their agents will be ready and available to answer your questions. Therefore, you can be relieved of some of the stresses you're facing during this difficult time.
How Do I Pay for a Bond?
Bail bond agencies have different payment options allowing you to satisfy your financial obligations.
At Andy Callif Bail Bonds, we offer various payment methods, including:
- Online
- Over the phone
- In person
- By mail
Not only do we assess just a 10% fee for our bail bonds services, but we also offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. For help getting out of jail while you await your trial in Columbus, call us at (614) 945-4334 or contact us online.