Saturday, March 31, 2018

The Legalities Involved With Bail Bonds In North Carolina

By Shirley Scott


Being arrested and put in jail can be a frightening and stressful experience for anyone. Your only thought at the time might revolve around how to get out of jail quickly so you can return home to your loved ones. Bailing yourself out of jail can be expensive, however, especially when you do not have the money in your bank account. Rather than languish in a jail cell, you can discover the terms and conditions for getting bail bonds in North Carolina.

Depending on factors like the crime you have been charged with or whether or not you are a repeat offender, you could be given a sum of money that you have to pay upfront for your release. Most judges will first set bails for defendants at a certain amount. The defendants then have to pay about 10 percent upfront to bond themselves out before their court date.

Still, 10 percent of the amount may be well beyond anything you can afford right now. You may have no money at all to your name. Rather than ask relatives or friends to bond you out, you can arrange for it yourself by contacting a local bondsman. The bondsman will come to the jail with cash in hand to secure your release. Before that can happen, however, you will be asked to sign a legally binding contract.

The contract is full of legalities that are enforceable by the local court system. It does not matter what time of day or night you call the bondsman. Most of them work 24 hours a day so they can help the most people. They also do not take any days off during the week.

Before the bonds professional will pay the money, however, you will be expected to sign a legally binding contract. The contract stipulates the total sum of cash being paid to the court. It also stipulates what collateral you might have to use to secure the agreement. Collateral can include a car, your wages, or other assets you own.

One of the most important terms you are reminded to pay attention to involves what happens if you abscond without showing up to court dates. The bondsman has the right to go to the judge, ask for a warrant, and then hunt you down to arrest and take you back to jail. Once in there, you will not be given another chance to bond yourself out. You will remain there and also owe the full bond amount plus interest.

You also will owe the full amount of the bond that was paid for your release. Failing to pay the amount likewise could result in you being arrested again or your assets being seized. If you cannot pay the total amount in full, the company might allow you to make weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments.

It can be critical you understand the terms of being bonded out of jail. The bail percentage is determined by the judge. However, you are fully responsible for showing for all of the court dates assigned to your case and paying back the money and interest in full.




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