How Does a Bail Bondsman Profit?
Most people wonder how a bail bondsman and his company make money out of their ways. Some might even ask about its legitimacy, morality, and legality at some point. Moreover, the question we ask most is, “how much does it actually cost?”Get to know more about bail bonds Riverside and answer your questions here.
Services and Rates
Just like any other business and services, a bail bondsman charges a fee for their services. But how does it work exactly?
When someone gets arrested for a crime, however severe it may be, the first thing in mind is not to spend time in jail and be able to do their usual activities while waiting for their time in court. For this to happen, they will need to settle their bail directly at the jail or get a bond from a licensed bondsman.
The first option, which is to pay the bail right away, isn’t something everyone could easily do. Some people even tend to borrow a considerable amount of money just to bail their loved ones from jail. The second option of getting a bond is a lot more convenient and accessible.
However, in some cases, the fee that goes with the money is still out of reach for some families. This is why payment plans are available for a more reasonable way to get the defendant released. Not all bond cases have payment plans, though. This depends on the defendant’s eligibility and qualifications of the co-signer.
A financial agreement between the defendant and a bail bondsman may include an element of risk. If a defendant skips town while on bond, the bondsman must come up with the full amount of bail to pay to the jail in which the inmate is released temporarily. Due to its risk, a co-signer must meet specific requirements and qualifications to make sure he or she is financially capable of handling the full amount of bail it should become due.
Do Bondsmen Profit from This?
Well, this depends on how the business is run generally. Basically, if the amount of time and resources spent by a bonding company from releasing an inmate is less then the financial return, the bondsman will remain in business for as long as they wish. If too much time and energy are spent on defendants with high-risk behaviors or wrong choice of co-signers, then a bail bonds company can go out of business eventually. It also depends on the amount the bondsman charges a co-signer. To give you an idea, generally, a charge between 10-15% is the usual range. Still, it depends on the company.