If you require a mesquite bail bondsman, here are a few frequently asked questions you should know.
What should I have before I contact a mesquite bail bondsman?
Before contacting a bail bondsman, you should have a few details ready like the name of the jail where the person is incarcerated and the name of the city. The bail agent will also require the full name of the arrested person and the booking number of the person in jail. If you are the person who has been arrested you can ask your lawyer to find the bail agent. However, if you are contacting the agent on the behalf of someone else, you will also need to have the relevant financial details of the person who has been arrested along with the case number so that you can arrange the bail.
How do I get a bail bond from the agent?
Once you have let the bail agent know about your court number, the bail agent will find out the court details and then let you know whether they will take up the bond or not. Usually, agents take up every case that comes their way and they will charge you a 14-15% surcharge that you will have to pay them. The bond agent will retain the 14% surcharge but he will pay the bail amount to the court.
What is the usual surcharge amount that I have to pay on the bail bond?
Usually, the agents charge about 10% -20% of the total bail amount. That means the court will fix a court bail amount. The bail agent has to be paid the percentage beforehand. He will then pay the amount to the court. The court will return the payment back to him when you appear in the court. Legally, the percentage has been decided to range anywhere from 8%-20% but the higher the amount, the more you have to pay in the form of a percentage.
Can I ask the bail bondman to discount the fee?
No you cannot. The rates and the payments are decided by the Department of Insurance. As a result, the agent cannot discount the fees that they charge. You cannot be given a discount and if the company offers you a discount then it is not legal.
Can I pay the bail bond myself?
Yes you can but you will have to post cash and the amount can be quite high. If you have that much cash you can pay it yourself. It will be reimbursed to you when you show up in court. However, for large amounts that you cannot arrange yourself, an agent will be necessary. The court will also accept property papers or car ownership papers as a deposit to show that you will show up for the next court date. Please note that if you don’t show up for the court date, the court is well within its rights to sell the property and then arrest you for not showing up in court.
