Overview:
Bail bondsmen are independent businessmen with a unique business niche—securing temporary release from prison for people accused of crimes. When a suspect is apprehended (or an arrest warrant issued), a judge may allow him to avoid jail time by pledging cash or property to the court. This arrangement, known as “posting bail,” frees the accused while he awaits trial. Because the cost of bail can be prohibitive, many lack the financial resources to post it; a bail bondsman pledges the bail fee on the defendant's behalf. Bail bondsmen have standing arrangements with local courts and insurance companies that allow them to act as guarantors. The word “bondsman” refers to a person who works closely with an insurance company to provide bail sureties while an individual who uses his own assets is called a “bond agent.” Both bondsmen and bond agents charge their clients a non-refundable fee, typically 10% of the total bail amount.
Bondsmen work to establish rapport with their clients and often offer practical assistance such as rides to legal appointments and court appearances. If the suspect fails to appear as ordered (or “skips bond”), both the bondsman and co-signer are responsible for the full bail fee. In most cases, the court allows a reasonable amount of time to locate and apprehend fugitive defendants. This practice, known as “bounty hunting” or “skip tracing,” may be performed by the bondsman or contracted out to others. If the defendant appears in court on the appointed date and meets all legal obligations, bail is returned.
Bail bondsmen take personal satisfaction in helping clients of limited means avoid the hardships of a lengthy incarceration and meet their work and family commitments during the pre-trial period. They also play an important role in the court system by ensuring that defendants appear for trial so that justice can be served. As independent businessmen, established bondsmen enjoy excellent earnings as well as the freedom to set their own schedules.
Bail bondsmen are independent businessmen with a unique business niche—securing temporary release from prison for people accused of crimes. When a suspect is apprehended (or an arrest warrant issued), a judge may allow him to avoid jail time by pledging cash or property to the court. This arrangement, known as “posting bail,” frees the accused while he awaits trial. Because the cost of bail can be prohibitive, many lack the financial resources to post it; a bail bondsman pledges the bail fee on the defendant's behalf. Bail bondsmen have standing arrangements with local courts and insurance companies that allow them to act as guarantors. The word “bondsman” refers to a person who works closely with an insurance company to provide bail sureties while an individual who uses his own assets is called a “bond agent.” Both bondsmen and bond agents charge their clients a non-refundable fee, typically 10% of the total bail amount.
Bondsmen work to establish rapport with their clients and often offer practical assistance such as rides to legal appointments and court appearances. If the suspect fails to appear as ordered (or “skips bond”), both the bondsman and co-signer are responsible for the full bail fee. In most cases, the court allows a reasonable amount of time to locate and apprehend fugitive defendants. This practice, known as “bounty hunting” or “skip tracing,” may be performed by the bondsman or contracted out to others. If the defendant appears in court on the appointed date and meets all legal obligations, bail is returned.
Bail bondsmen take personal satisfaction in helping clients of limited means avoid the hardships of a lengthy incarceration and meet their work and family commitments during the pre-trial period. They also play an important role in the court system by ensuring that defendants appear for trial so that justice can be served. As independent businessmen, established bondsmen enjoy excellent earnings as well as the freedom to set their own schedules.
Work Environment:
While bail bondsmen conduct most of their business in office
settings, they also travel to correctional facilities to meet with
clients and deliver documents to sheriffs and deputies. Most bondsmen
have standing agreements with both local courts and third-party payers,
allowing them to handle cases 24 hours per day and on short notice.
Bail bondsmen have contact with a wide range of people, from law enforcement officers and judges to criminal offenders and their family members. They often work with people who are untrustworthy, underhanded and deceptive or have committed crimes they find personally offensive. Most bail bondsmen have “frequent fliers” among their clientele—repeat offenders who are arrested frequently. On a positive note, they do handle cases in which offenders are able to turn their lives around and become productive members of society.
Bondsmen work highly irregular hours. They may need to accept potential clients’ calls on holidays, weekends and in the middle of the night. For greater scheduling flexibility, many bondsman join a bail bond agency or partner with other independent professionals to rotate on-call days. Many also work part time as bondsmen while maintaining full-time employment in another field.
Bail bondsmen have contact with a wide range of people, from law enforcement officers and judges to criminal offenders and their family members. They often work with people who are untrustworthy, underhanded and deceptive or have committed crimes they find personally offensive. Most bail bondsmen have “frequent fliers” among their clientele—repeat offenders who are arrested frequently. On a positive note, they do handle cases in which offenders are able to turn their lives around and become productive members of society.
Bondsmen work highly irregular hours. They may need to accept potential clients’ calls on holidays, weekends and in the middle of the night. For greater scheduling flexibility, many bondsman join a bail bond agency or partner with other independent professionals to rotate on-call days. Many also work part time as bondsmen while maintaining full-time employment in another field.
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