info@aroundtheclockbonding.com   |   3844 Leeds Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405

BAIL BONDS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

RELY ON OUR BAIL BONDING COMPANY
SERVING BERKELEY COUNTY, DORCHESTER COUNTY & CHARLESTON, SC

What is a bail bond?
A bail bond is an agreement by a criminal defendant to appear for trial or pay a sum of money set by the court. A bail bondsman, who charges the defendant a fee in return for guaranteeing the payment, cosigns the bail bond.
How do bail bonds work?

A bail bond is a contract between the defendant, a bail bondsman, and the State of South Carolina. A bail bondsman will front the money on behalf of the defendant, in order to get them out of jail. By paying the bond an agreement is made stating the defendant will attend their court dates. If the defendant does not make their court date, the bail bondsman must pay the full amount of the bond.

When is bail set?

When someone is arrested, their name and personal information are entered into the police system, their picture and fingerprints are taken, and their personal belongings are held in impound. They are then given a sobriety test, allowed to make one phone call, and then locked in a cell. 

Without bail, the person who has been arrested must remain in jail until the hearing. In order to help people prepare for court and to keep jails free, courts post a bail amount. A bail hearing is usually scheduled within 48 hours of arrest where a judge will determine how much bail will be.

What affects the bail amount?

Crimes such as petty theft will result in a lower bail amount than a crime such as grand larceny or more violent crimes – these offenses are more likely to have a higher bail amount. If someone has an extensive criminal history, it is quite likely the bail amount will be increased. 

Significant differences exist in costs of bail bonds depending on the charge being a misdemeanor vs a felony – felony charges can be 5 to 10 times higher due to the potential flight risk from a possible long-term sentence. The judge can also deny bail, meaning remaining in jail until sentencing.

When can bail be posted?

Many petty crimes and already have a set bail amount, and in this case, bail is able to be posted immediately after being processed. In other cases, bail cannot be posted until after the bail hearing. The advantage of having to remain in jail until a bail hearing is that an attorney can be hired to help argue for a reduced bail amount.

How long does the process take to be released from jail?
It typically takes 1-4 hours after the bond is accepted at the jail, or the clerk of court.
How can I make payments?
You can make payments over the phone with a debit / credit card or come in with cash /money order.
What do I do if I miss my court date?
Contact us immediately to resolve any court issues.
How do I qualify to be a co-signer?
To qualify to be a co-signer you must have some kind of financial backing and be a close family member/friend that is 18 or older
Do I get my money back after the case is over?
No, we cannot return any of the premium that is used for the bail bond
What is cash collateral?
Cash collateral is put up during the bail process to the bondsman to insure that the client shows up to court. Unlike the premium, once the case is completely over the collateral is returned to the individual.

Have other questions? Contact Us Today. We’d love to help you.