When you or a loved one are in trouble with the law, it can be a distressing situation to find yourself in. There will be, of course, a number of different considerations and you may have many questions. However, one of the first things you will probably want to do is figure out how to get out of jail as quickly as possible.
In the vast majority of cases, you will need to make bail, which can be done in several different ways. This article will look at the question of bail vs bond—what’s the difference and what does each term refer to? Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of how to post bail.
The Bail Process
In the United States, after a person is arrested, the process normally plays out in the following way: first, the arrested party appears before a judge. The judge is the person who will set the value of their bail, as well as decide on any terms and conditions to be attached. In certain cases, the judge may deny bail for the arrested party, however, this only happens a small percentage of the time.
There are two types of bond orders that a judge can assign to a defendant: secured and unsecured. Under these two categories, there are a further four different types of bonds a person can post in order to be able to make bail:
- On recognizance
- Cash
- Property
- Surety
Bail vs Bond: What’s the Difference?
The terms “bail” and “bond” are sometimes used interchangeably, however, they are in fact two distinct terms with different meanings. The word bail in this context refers exclusively to the cash category of bonds.
It is also possible to pay using the deed to your home (a property bond) as collateral, or by somebody else taking responsibility for the bail (a surety bond). A surety bond is the type of bond that the term “bond” here refers to.
If you do go through the court proceedings, any cash bail you have paid will be returned to you at the end of the process. However, if you go through the route of having someone pledge a bond on your behalf, you will need to pay them money for the services provided.
In summation, bail refers to paying cash to secure someone’s release from jail. Meanwhile, bond refers to somebody agreeing to pay the money for your bail in the case that you do not appear in court. This responsibility is, in many cases, taken on by a bail bondsman service.
Are You Looking for Bail Bondsman Services?
If you or a loved one are currently going through a tough time, it’s possible you might need help posting bail in order to get out of jail. If you’re deciding on whether bail vs bond might be better, a bail bondsman service can answer any questions you may have about the bond process. If you’re in the Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill, areas, get in touch today to see how we can help you.
