Bail bonds are a critical part of the criminal justice system, and a key component for those charged with crimes in Jefferson County, Florida. The purpose of bail is to ensure that defendants return to court for their scheduled hearings. The process of obtaining a bail bond can be confusing and intimidating for many people, so it is important to understand what is involved.
A bail bond is a written agreement between a defendant and a bail bondsman, or surety, that guarantees the defendant’s appearance in court. In exchange for the bond, the defendant pays a non-refundable fee to the bail bondsman. This fee is typically 10% of the total bond amount. The first step in obtaining a bail bond in Jefferson County is to contact a bail bondsman.
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The bondsman will then review the case and determine the amount of the bond. Once the amount has been determined, the bondsman will require payment of the non-refundable fee. The bondsman will then provide the defendant with the necessary forms and documents to be signed. This includes an agreement to pay the full amount of the bond if the defendant fails to appear in court.
Once a bond is posted, it is the responsibility of the defendant to appear in court on time for all hearings. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bond is forfeited. This means that the full amount of the bond must be paid to the court by the bondsman.