Bail Bond Indemnitor Responsibility

When you bail someone out of jail and sign a bail bond contract you are known as the indemnitor. As such, you assume a responsibility to the court and the bail bond agent.

WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES IF I GUARANTEE A BAIL BOND?

You take full responsibility for the defendant to show up in court when you bail someone out of jail. Most bail problems and issues such as a forgotten court date or illness are easily resolved and rarely escalate beyond a simple phone call. That said, if you are considering bailing someone out and you have reason to believe they may not show up for court or may leave the area, please, do not bail them out. You are not criminally liable, but you may be civilly liable. Our Bail Indemnitor Disclosure Statement is provided for you for clarity.

It’s important that you understand the entire bail bond process and your responsibility as an indemnitor before you agree to guarantee a bond for someone.

THE ROLE OF BAIL BOND AGENTS

Most people can’t pay the entire bail bond amount by themselves and so they turn to licensed bail agents for assistance. In these cases, the defendant (or a friend or relative of the defendant) pays 10% of the bail amount to the bail bond agent and agrees to pay the full amount if the defendant fails to appear in court and cannot be located.

In turn, bail agents guarantee to pay the court the full amount of the bail bond if the defendant doesn’t appear for trial.

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WHAT HAPPENS IF THE DEFENDANT IS BAILED OUT AND FAILS TO APPEAR IN COURT?

If the “failure-to-appear” was a simple mistake, then the bail bond company can usually make cost-free arrangements for the defendant to return to court.

Courts generally understand that people get sick, traffic or car problems arise and other unforeseen circumstances occur.

If the defendant can’t be located or refuses to go to court, then the bail bond company will need to locate and bring the defendant into custody. Generally, this is done with the help of the family or the bail indemnitor. At times, a fugitive recovery person will need to be utilized. These circumstances may result in additional charges. If you are working with 1st Choice Bail Bonds and you have specific questions in this area, please Call Us.

Think it over carefully before you guarantee someone’s bail bond. It’s your responsibility to make sure the person shows up in court. If you think the person you want to bail out will intentionally not go to court, please do not arrange bail for them.

HOW DO WE KNOW WE CAN TRUST YOUR COMPANY?

• We are a family business and we pride ourselves on our professionalism.
• We are proud members of the Better Business Bureau.
• You may verify our bail bond license status by contacting the Delaware Department of Insurance.

Often, our customers have a preconceived stereotype about bail agents and the bail bond industry. Unfortunately, because of the unprofessional conduct of some in our industry, it reflects badly on us all. Our potential customers should realize that not all bail bond companies are alike.

For answers to your bail questions, please call 302-FREEDOM (302-373-3366). Remember our number Spells FREEDOM.

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