You've decided that the best option for bailing out your friend is to work with a bail bondsman. But, now that you've made the decision, you find you are stressed. How do you go about actually choosing a bail bond company? You don't know anything about the bail industry - how are you supposed to choose a bail agent you trust? Thankfully, choosing a bail bond company is much easier than you think, and this is for one reason: Bail agents aren't nearly as shady as the media or TV make them out to be. If they were, not many bail agencies would exist or last as businesses. Instead, many bail agents are honest, kind people who love to help others in a time of need. Here are a few tips for choosing a bail bond company that will help get you started:
1. Locate Bail Agents in Your Area
The first step you need to take is to find bail agents in your area. This can be done through a few methods: You can ask friends and family for references, find a criminal defense attorney and ask for a recommendation, or simply perform an online search. Regardless of how you find them, you need to keep a few things in mind before you add them to your list:
These three things will help you narrow your list. Once you've compiled a list of a few possible candidates, you can move on to the next step of the process.
2. Make Sure They're Honest
Next, you need to make sure every bail agency on your list is honest. Now, we obviously know that you can't know if someone is trustworthy for sure, but there are ways to shed light on their legitimacy. In the previous step you were asked to make sure they were licensed - this is very important. Each state differs, but many require bail agents to be licensed. Make sure they have completed all the paperwork, and that no complaints have been filed against them. Then, check online reviews. We've all used Yelp, Google+, and the BBB to check out restaurants, why not use them to check on whether or not bail agents provide good customer service?
3. Give Them a Call and Make Your Choice
The final step is simple - give each remaining bail bond company on your list a call. Spend a few moments talking to a bail bond agent. Choose someone who is willing to answer your questions and provide insight into your unique situation. You'll be working closely with the agent over the course of the case - choose someone you get along with.
1. Locate Bail Agents in Your Area
The first step you need to take is to find bail agents in your area. This can be done through a few methods: You can ask friends and family for references, find a criminal defense attorney and ask for a recommendation, or simply perform an online search. Regardless of how you find them, you need to keep a few things in mind before you add them to your list:
- They must provide 24/7 service.
- They must be licensed.
- They must have experience in the jurisdiction where your friends is being held.
These three things will help you narrow your list. Once you've compiled a list of a few possible candidates, you can move on to the next step of the process.
2. Make Sure They're Honest
Next, you need to make sure every bail agency on your list is honest. Now, we obviously know that you can't know if someone is trustworthy for sure, but there are ways to shed light on their legitimacy. In the previous step you were asked to make sure they were licensed - this is very important. Each state differs, but many require bail agents to be licensed. Make sure they have completed all the paperwork, and that no complaints have been filed against them. Then, check online reviews. We've all used Yelp, Google+, and the BBB to check out restaurants, why not use them to check on whether or not bail agents provide good customer service?
3. Give Them a Call and Make Your Choice
The final step is simple - give each remaining bail bond company on your list a call. Spend a few moments talking to a bail bond agent. Choose someone who is willing to answer your questions and provide insight into your unique situation. You'll be working closely with the agent over the course of the case - choose someone you get along with.