We have attempted to provide answers to the questions most frequently asked of a bail bond company. For additional bail bond information and answers to your specific questions about Delaware County, PA bail bonds, please call us at (484) 443-3648.
What is Bail?
Bail is a part of our legal system that allows an accused person to be temporarily released from custody so they can continue their lives while they prepare for their day in court.
In criminal cases, it is a sum of money, real property or bail bond that needs to be posted by or on behalf of a defendant to guarantee their appearance in court. The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of the United State guarantees the right to reasonable bail to you.
How much does it cost to bail someone from jail?
All cases are different. To answer this question in your case please contact a licensed member of our staff in the Delco Bail Bonds office, or by calling us at (484) 443-3648 and we can help you.
What is a Bail Bond?
A bail bond is a financial guarantee made by or on behalf of a criminal defendant that is used to guarantee their appearance in court through the end of their trial. Failure by the defendant to appear will result in bail bond forfeiture.
How does Bail Bond work?
The court system will set the amount of bail required for the defendant’s release. Under state law, a company can provide a “bail bond” that guarantees payment of the full bail amount to the court if the defendant does not show up for all scheduled appearances.
These bail bonds are offered by licensed bail service providers. For providing the pre-trial release service, bail service providers charge a premium – a percentage of the total bail amount, typically 10%. For example, for a bail amount set at $20,000, the premium would be about $ $2,000, plus any additional fees that may be required.
The bail service provider must charge the premium rate that it has filed with the Department of Insurance and the premium is not refundable once the defendant is released.
What is the difference between Bond & Premium?
The bail bond amount is the full amount of the bail that is set by the court. The premium is the dollar amount charged by the bail service provider for providing the pre-trial release service.
Usually this premium is 10% of the bail amount. For example, if the bail amount is $20,000, the premium charged would be $2,000.
Is the Premium refundable?
The defendant and any co-signer(s) are responsible to the bail service provider for the premium and any fees or additional expenses incurred by the bail service provider on their behalf.
These monies are earned at the time the defendant is released from custody; therefore, it is not subject to return. This is the case even if the defendant is found innocent, the case is dismissed or the defendant is placed back into custody for another offense.
Who is a Co-Signer / Guarantor?
A co-signer/guarantor is the person(s) willing to be responsible for the defendant while they are out on bail and who co-assumes financial responsibility, including a guarantee of the full bail bond amount.
What is Reinstatement?
This is a process by which a defendant who has failed to appear in court can have their bench warrant removed and the bail bond re-activated or “reinstated” with the court.
The defendant, working with Delco Bail Bonds, will report back to the court, which allows the court to set a new court date for the defendant. This proceeding may result in additional fees to the defendant/co-signer.
What is a Summary Judgement?
A summary judgment is issued by the court if, following a bail bond forfeiture, the deadline for reinstating the bond or returning the defendant to custody has passed. Upon issuance of a summary judgment, the full bail amount must be paid.
Who can post bail for me?
You may post bail for yourself, have someone over 18 years old post it on your behalf, or you may use a bail bondsman. Whoever posts bail for you assumes full responsibility for your appearance in court.
If you fail to appear as required, a warrant will be issued for your immediate arrest and the bail will be forfeited.
What are my choices for how bails is posted?
Bail may be posted in the following manner:
Cash Bail
A percentage may be posted for cash bonds. However, the person posting cash bail is liable for the full amount. If you appear for trial or the charges are disposed of before trial, the amount posted will be refunded. If you do not appear, all cash posted will be forfeited and the full amount of bail becomes due.
Property Bail
Property (e.g. land or home) may be used to post bail, provided that the net equity in the property meets or exceeds the amount of bail. To determine net equity deduct any liens, mortgages or deeds of trust, and ground rent, capitalized at 6 percent, from the assessed value of the property. When posting property, you need to present tax bills, assessment notices, copies of a recorded deed or other public records. Each person whose name appears on the tax bill must sign the form, unless a power of attorney has been executed by one or both parties authorizing another signature.
Intangible Assets
Acceptable intangible assets include:
Credit and Debit Cards
Bail may be charged on certain credit and debit cards. Although the court clerk accepts the card, an independent company processes the charge. The charge includes the amount of the bail and a service fee. (These charges will appear on your next credit or debit card statement.)
The card and personal identification must be produced in person at the time of posting bail. (Contact the Superior/Municipal court clerk for in.
What is Bail?
Bail is a part of our legal system that allows an accused person to be temporarily released from custody so they can continue their lives while they prepare for their day in court.
In criminal cases, it is a sum of money, real property or bail bond that needs to be posted by or on behalf of a defendant to guarantee their appearance in court. The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of the United State guarantees the right to reasonable bail to you.
How much does it cost to bail someone from jail?
All cases are different. To answer this question in your case please contact a licensed member of our staff in the Delco Bail Bonds office, or by calling us at (484) 443-3648 and we can help you.
What is a Bail Bond?
A bail bond is a financial guarantee made by or on behalf of a criminal defendant that is used to guarantee their appearance in court through the end of their trial. Failure by the defendant to appear will result in bail bond forfeiture.
How does Bail Bond work?
The court system will set the amount of bail required for the defendant’s release. Under state law, a company can provide a “bail bond” that guarantees payment of the full bail amount to the court if the defendant does not show up for all scheduled appearances.
These bail bonds are offered by licensed bail service providers. For providing the pre-trial release service, bail service providers charge a premium – a percentage of the total bail amount, typically 10%. For example, for a bail amount set at $20,000, the premium would be about $ $2,000, plus any additional fees that may be required.
The bail service provider must charge the premium rate that it has filed with the Department of Insurance and the premium is not refundable once the defendant is released.
What is the difference between Bond & Premium?
The bail bond amount is the full amount of the bail that is set by the court. The premium is the dollar amount charged by the bail service provider for providing the pre-trial release service.
Usually this premium is 10% of the bail amount. For example, if the bail amount is $20,000, the premium charged would be $2,000.
Is the Premium refundable?
The defendant and any co-signer(s) are responsible to the bail service provider for the premium and any fees or additional expenses incurred by the bail service provider on their behalf.
These monies are earned at the time the defendant is released from custody; therefore, it is not subject to return. This is the case even if the defendant is found innocent, the case is dismissed or the defendant is placed back into custody for another offense.
Who is a Co-Signer / Guarantor?
A co-signer/guarantor is the person(s) willing to be responsible for the defendant while they are out on bail and who co-assumes financial responsibility, including a guarantee of the full bail bond amount.
What is Reinstatement?
This is a process by which a defendant who has failed to appear in court can have their bench warrant removed and the bail bond re-activated or “reinstated” with the court.
The defendant, working with Delco Bail Bonds, will report back to the court, which allows the court to set a new court date for the defendant. This proceeding may result in additional fees to the defendant/co-signer.
What is a Summary Judgement?
A summary judgment is issued by the court if, following a bail bond forfeiture, the deadline for reinstating the bond or returning the defendant to custody has passed. Upon issuance of a summary judgment, the full bail amount must be paid.
Who can post bail for me?
You may post bail for yourself, have someone over 18 years old post it on your behalf, or you may use a bail bondsman. Whoever posts bail for you assumes full responsibility for your appearance in court.
If you fail to appear as required, a warrant will be issued for your immediate arrest and the bail will be forfeited.
What are my choices for how bails is posted?
Bail may be posted in the following manner:
Cash Bail
A percentage may be posted for cash bonds. However, the person posting cash bail is liable for the full amount. If you appear for trial or the charges are disposed of before trial, the amount posted will be refunded. If you do not appear, all cash posted will be forfeited and the full amount of bail becomes due.
Property Bail
Property (e.g. land or home) may be used to post bail, provided that the net equity in the property meets or exceeds the amount of bail. To determine net equity deduct any liens, mortgages or deeds of trust, and ground rent, capitalized at 6 percent, from the assessed value of the property. When posting property, you need to present tax bills, assessment notices, copies of a recorded deed or other public records. Each person whose name appears on the tax bill must sign the form, unless a power of attorney has been executed by one or both parties authorizing another signature.
Intangible Assets
Acceptable intangible assets include:
- Bankbooks and certificates of deposit accepted at 100 percent of stated value
- Letters of credit from a bank
- Certificates for stocks listed on the American or New York Stock Exchange, accepted at 75 percent of the present exchange quotation
Credit and Debit Cards
Bail may be charged on certain credit and debit cards. Although the court clerk accepts the card, an independent company processes the charge. The charge includes the amount of the bail and a service fee. (These charges will appear on your next credit or debit card statement.)
The card and personal identification must be produced in person at the time of posting bail. (Contact the Superior/Municipal court clerk for in.