Bail can cost a lot of money, even if you are successful at getting back most of your initial deposit. Here are some ways to reduce your total bail cost.
Consider the Type of Bail
Your total cost definitely determines what type of bail you choose. For instance, if you are able to pay a cash bail directly to the courts, you might miss some of the fees that a third-party lender would charge. If you are looking at a bail bonds service, be sure that you gather enough collateral to put up for your bond to get the best rates. A surety bond may also help you reduce your costs; your loved one may not have to put any money down up front on this type of bond, which can help to reduce the financing charges.
Shop Around for Good Prices
Another thing to do is to talk to several companies about the percentage they charge on their bail bonds. Of course, your ability to get a low-cost bail bond will depend on several factors. They may look at your credit history, evaluate how likely you are to flee, and see whether you have offered any collateral. In some cases, it may be better to have a friend apply for bail in place of you (i.e. in the form of a surety bond) to get these lower rates.
Get Referred By Your Attorney
In some cases, you can consider getting referred to a bail bonds company by your attorney. The attorney is essentially vouching for you as a client, and the attorney may be able to provide you with some support in meeting all of your trial's requirements. In exchange, you might see a 1-2% discount on your bail bond fees.
Consider a Bail Reduction Hearing
In some cases, your criminal lawyer can also help you get your bail amount reduced altogether. The bail is often set based on the bail schedules that each court has; they set general amounts for the most common crimes in their jurisdiction. But sometimes, there can be some leeway in the severity of the crimes. For instance, if you were charged bail for a drug trafficking charge, you might get it reduced to a lesser bail charge, such as the amount for a drug dealing charge.
Do Everything You're Supposed To
Finally, it pays to stay on top of your trial and meet all of your requirements; each one can cost you in additional penalties. Contact a company like A A ABBA Bail Bonds to learn more.
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