What are My Responsibilities After Bailing Someone Out of Jail?

Nothing good ever happens at 2 am and this is the case when your phone rings. You wake up from a dead sleep, worried. Who could be calling? Your husband is lying next to you and your children are asleep in their rooms. The number isn’t one you recognize but the voice on the other end is. It’s your brother and he’s been arrested. The bail has been set and it’s pretty high. He needs your help in co-signing a bail bond. You agree, but after getting off the phone you wonder if that’s a good idea. Your brother can be pretty irresponsible (getting arrested a perfect example). That means the bond can fall on your shoulders. What are your responsibilities as co-signer?

This a question all Indemnitors should ask before signing a bond agreement. It’s important to know exactly what’s expected of you and what you are responsible for. Technically, as the co-signer, you are the one who is responsible for the defendant. This means you must make sure the defendant attends all court dates, keeps out of trouble, and make sure the bond is paid for.

Here are a few things you should know when co-signing a bond for someone:

• Skipping bail: It is your responsibility to make sure the defendant shows up at every court date until the matter has been resolved. This is most important. By missing even one court appearance could mean the bond has defaulted and a bench warrant will be issued for the defendant. If the defendant cannot be found, that you will have to pay for the entire bond.
• Paying the fees: There can be more costs than you imagined with a court case. And as additional costs pile up, you will be expected to pay for these costs. This includes hiring a recovery agent to locate and the return the defendant if he/she skips bail.
• Paying back the bond: If the defendant misses a payment, then the responsibility will fall on your shoulders. That’s right, you may be the one who will be paying bail bond and not your loved one.

This is why it’s so important to know your responsibilities before bailing someone out of jail. If you’re still interested in getting a bail bond, we can help. Contact Andrew Pizzo Bail Bonds now and get your loved one out of jail.