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Do Not Pay Hidden Bail Bonds Fees
Admin • Nov 11, 2021
Before you agree to bail a friend or relative out of jail, you must understand precisely how much the bail bond costs. Most people are aware of the premium costs that range from 7-10%
the bail bonds company requires. Unfortunately, you may not be aware of the hidden fees some companies might charge you. Before you sign your name on the bottom line, make sure you know what costs you may agree to. Discover a few to consider.
Credit Card Processing Fees
If you are like most people, you do not have an extra $5,000 laying around that may be necessary to secure a $50,000 bond. Not having access to funds is especially true if you have to pay your bail bonds
company after hours or during a weekend.
Your credit card will probably be your go-to option to pay the required premium the company charges. A company that charges a credit card processing fee could potentially tack an average of 2 to 3.5%
or more onto your bill for using your card.
Finance Fees
If you do not have the total amount necessary when you sign your contract, a bail bonds agency may be willing to finance the amount for a short period. To use their financing, they may offer you payment options.
Because the agency finances the required fee for you, the agency may add additional finance fees to what you will be required to pay. While these fees may be reasonable with some companies, they may be exorbitant with others.
Notary Fees
A bail bonds agency may use a licensed notary to witness your signature and place their seal on your documents, certifying the signers' identities. This step can protect you and the bail bonds agency.
This protection of authenticity ensures the bail bondsman that they are dealing with the correct person. Notarized documents can also protect you if any legal issues arise later from any signed paperwork.
For example, if you have to sue the person you helped get out of jail in civil court to recoup the money you have paid out for their bond, the notarized forms would be valid proof the court accepts. The notary cost may pass on to you, although the notary may be an employee of the bail bonds company.
Electronic Monitoring Fees
Depending on the person's past criminal history, the court will sometimes order electronic monitoring. If court ordered, the defendant must determine who is responsible for paying the fee.
Sometimes if a bail bonds company posts an extremely high bond, they may require electronic monitoring as a condition of posting the bond. Electronic monitoring may help them ensure the person will be found if they attempt to leave the area or fail to appear in court.
If the bail bondsman orders it, the cost of setting up the electronic monitoring may be an additional fee you will need to pay upfront. You may also incur an ongoing charge for the daily monitoring.
Do not be taken advantage of by hidden fees. These charges can add up quickly and put you on the line for far more money than you had planned on.
Bail Busters Inc
will never charge you any hidden fees. We will charge you a fully disclosed one-time fee at the time you enlist our services. Give us a call today, and we will help you make arrangements to have your loved one released. We look forward to helping you, and we will be happy to answer any questions you have about our services and the bail bonds process. Let us know how we can help you today.
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