If you or a loved one has been arrested, you will go through arraignment. At the arraignment, the judge will either let you go on your own recognizance, bind you over to stay in jail until your trial, or set an amount for bail. If the judge sets a bail amount, it may be more than you can get together easily. You can get a bail bond that will let you get out of jail without coming up with the whole amount of money. If you can get a bail bond, you might want to know how to get the bond. 

Bond Agent

The first thing to know is that you must find a bond agent. The agent will be the one who submits the bond to the court so you or your loved one can get out of jail. You will have to sign a contract with them stating the bail amount the agent is putting up, your court dates, and that you agree to appear in court. The contract you sign may have other information in it, so make sure you read it carefully before you sign. 

Collateral

The bond agent generally wants some collateral to back up their bail. As long as you appear in court on your trial date, there shouldn't be a problem, but if you miss your date, the bond agent may seize your collateral to make their money back. What the agent requests for collateral will depend on several things, including how high the bail is and what actual property you have. Your car or your house can stand for collateral against a bail bond. 

Cash Return

In general, you aren't going to get the money you paid the bail bond agent back. There are a few exceptions to this, and you will need to talk to the bond agent you are working with. They will be able to tell you if you can get your money back and what criteria you may have to meet for that to happen. 

If you or a loved one have been arrested, you don't want any jail stay to last any longer than absolutely necessary. You may have the option to set up a bail bond that will let you or your loved one get out of jail until your court date, as long as you follow all the rules you are given by both the court and your bail bond agent.