How do bail bonds work in New York?

If you’ve been arrested, your loved ones’ top priority is to find a way to get you out of jail as quickly as possible. Fortunately, if the court deems you are not a flight risk or a threat to the public, they may set bail. Bail is an agreed-upon sum of money that can be paid by a suspect to be released from custody until their trial. Bail is not a fine, as the court determines it, and can vary in amount. The court has the power to set bail at a very high amount, making it extremely difficult for an individual to post their bail. This is where bail bonds can be helpful. They can assist in covering the costs of bail, allowing you to obtain conditional freedom until your specified court date. Please continue reading and contact a determined Astoria Criminal Defense Lawyer who can help you understand your legal options. 

How do bail bonds work with posting bail in New York?

A bail bond is an agreement made by a defendant that acts as a surety that a sum of money set by the court will be paid, and they will appear in court on their trial date. Essentially, bail bonds secure defendants’ freedom.

After an individual is arrested, they will be booked and given a hearing date. During their hearing, the judge will set an amount for their bail. You can turn to a bail bonds agency if you cannot post bail. A bail bond agent will put up the money for your bail if you pay a small percentage upfront in return for their services. A bail bond is a surety that a criminal defendant will turn up at all necessary court appearances. The bail bondsman will provide the court with an agreement to pay a defendant bail in full if the defendant they guarantee will appear for their trial dates failing to turn up.

What happens if I skip bail?

Generally, since the bail bondsman is taking a risk as bail bonds are like a personal loan, they will often require defendants to turn over collateral in the form of property or securities. This includes valuable property such as cars, jewelry, stocks, and even the deed to a house. You will be released from jail once the court receives the bail bond. If you fail to appear in court on all necessary dates, a warrant will be issued for your arrest, and you will be returned to jail. The court will take the money put up by the bail bonds agency. Therefore, if you skip bail, the bail bonds agency will take over your collateral assets placed as security.

If you’ve been charged with a crime, you need a seasoned Astoria, Queens, criminal defense lawyer from Vasiliou Law. Our firm is prepared to fight for you to maximize your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.