Being a part of this industry as long as we have, we’ve learned to endure some of the myths and misguided criticisms that come with being a bail bonds agency. What we can say for sure is that we are here to help people by offering our services, and what many of the bail bond myths do is prevent people from reaching out or accepting this help.
With that said, it’s important to debunk some of the common bail bond myths. We hope that by clearing up some of these falsities, people will better understand what we can and can’t do. Our hope is also to make people feel more comfortable dealing with us and don’t hesitate when it comes time to make use of our services.
5 Common Bail Bonds Myths
Here are five of the most common myths about bail bondsmen.
Bail Bondsmen Accept Payment in Cash Only
This is a big one. Many people mistakenly think that the only way to pay a bondsman is by coming up with the full amount of bail in cash. This is simply not true. The fact is that there are many ways to pay bail, and the first thing you should know is that you do not have to come up with the full amount in cash. All bail bond agencies accept some form of collateral through use of your assets. Defendants or their families are left only to pay a percentage of the total bail amount. This amount can be paid on a credit card, which will be accepted by the bail bond agency as readily as cash.
Bail Bondsmen Can Negotiate Costs in Court
Please understand that the bail bond agent has nothing to do with the amount the court has set the bail. This is a decision made by the judge and is in accordance with the severity of the crime, along with other considerations. A bail bond agent has no means of negotiating this amount. We act within the confines of the law and offer payment options within the framework mentioned in the first point after the bail has been set.
A Good Bail Bond Agent Can Get Anyone Out of Jail
False! A bail bond agent cannot technically get anyone out of jail. Again, a judge makes the decision as to whether or not bail is even an option. Once it’s determined that bail is an option and a bail amount is set, a bail bond agent is able to help the defendant facilitate the bail so they can be out of jail for the duration of the trial.
Fees Are Refunded after the Court Date
The circumstances in which someone can get a refund from a bail bond agent are rare. Once the payment is made according to the set bail amount, the transaction is final in the overwhelming majority of cases. The payment a bail bond accepts is to negate the risk they take by agreeing with the court to put up the full amount on your behalf.
A Bail Bondsman Is a Bounty Hunter
This is another myth probably perpetuated by TV. A bail bond agent is not a bounty hunter. Sometimes, a bail bond agent may call on the services of a bounty hunter to find defendants who have skipped out on bail. However, this is not always the case. In fact, it’s often more cost-efficient to charge the person who put up the collateral rather than employ a bounty hunter.
It’s important to separate fact from fiction when working with bail bond agents. All of these myths really do make people hesitant about trusting the entire industry when in fact most bail bond agents are simply doing their jobs.
PCS Bail Bond has been in the bail bond industry for over 25 years. We’ve heard all of these myths and more and have overcome to become one of the most trusted bail bond agencies in Tarrant County. If you are looking for an honest experience with a bail bond agency, contact PCS Bail Bonds today.