Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions

• Bail Process
  • If a defendant has called you, let them know that you have called Al Estes Bail Bonds and to not hire or work with other agencies. If more than one agency becomes involved, a lot of confusion can occur, which might delay a defendant's release from jail. Sometimes, another bail bond agency will tell you that they can get the defendant out of jail at a cheaper price. This is called " CUTTING PREMIUM" and it is against the law. Each bail bond agency is regulated by the state and does business much like car insurance agencies and cannot set rates on their own.
• How long will it take?
  • Al Estes Bail Bonds agents are the quickest, the most efficient, and the most educated bail bond agents in the United States. We pledge to work as quickly and efficiently as possible to secure the persons release from the jail in which they are held.
• What is Collateral?

  • Collateral is either money, property in the form of assignment of a mortgage, or jewelry used to financially back up the rest of the bond in case the entire bond has to be paid by a bail bond agency because a defendant did not show up for court. For example: If a bond is $10,000.00, 10% of that $10,000 is called the premium charged to the indemnitor (person getting the defendant out of jail), and it is not refundable.. The $10,000 bond however, has to be backed up by charging a credit card, an assigned mortgage of a person's house, a car, boat, or motorcycle title assigned to the bail bond agency. Collateral is returned the day the defendant shows up for his/her court date. Collateral is "converted" to cash to pay the bond if the defendant does not show up for court and approximately 120 days have passed without the defendant and his/her attorney re-setting a new court date. Converting collateral, therefore, takes a long time and has to be done legally. If a mortgage or vehicle title is used, no record of this arrangement is ever shown on any data bases. Furthermore, if a defendant "skips" a court date, the indemnitor is given time to find the cash to cover the bond charged by the court.

• Do I Get all of my Collateral Back after I go to Court?

  • Yes, under state law regarding bail bond agents/surety agents, if the defendant has successfully shown up for all court dates, then both the Indemnitor and the Defendant are "off the bond," and should receive all collateral used to secure the bond past the premium. The premium is 10% of the bond and that is not returned to the bail bond agency because it is a fee charged to secure the release of the defendant. Before signing a "bond" as the Indemnitor (person who acts in behalf of the defendant because they are in jail and cannot release themselves) discuss all aspects of using and returning collateral.

• What Happens If the Defendant Does not Show up in Court

  • The bail bond agency must then try to determine why the defendant did not show up in court, and assist them in getting a new court date if defendant was not notified by the court.

• Tips for Posting Bail
  • Make sure you only deal with a licensed bail agent. Ask to see the bail agent's license and identification prior to any bail transaction. Make sure the bail agent charges you only legal rates. The premium charged for bail bond in normally 10% of the full bail amount. There is also usually a special fee charged for each bond, 15% for federal bonds, and special fees for immigration bonds (In New York State Fees Vary). Any additional charges should be itemized and explained to your satisfaction. Make sure you are given itemized receipts for all charges. If financing is provided, make sure you understand the terms of the financing agreement prior to signing and be sure you are given copies of anything you sign. Make sure the bail agent you contract with will be available to you after the bail bond has been posted. Part of what you pay for is service. Any professional bail agent will be available for questions or concerns throughout the entire process. Special Note: As an informed bail bond consumer, you will have the tools necessary to make the right decisions. Make sure you feel comfortable with the bail agent you choose. Go by your gut instinct. If it feels right, it probably is. If it doesn't feel right, walk away and call someone else.
• State Laws for Bail Bonds
  • The Bail Bond Process:In most states, a "bail bond agent" writes something like a "check" to the court, to the sheriff's office, or to the jail's "release window"...for the entire amount of the bail amount.
• New Bail Legislation
  • New Legislation for Bail Bonding: In the years to come, bail bond agents are being considered for "electronic monitoring" supervision. Why? Because bail bond agents currently act in a "supervisory" capacity when a client is on "bond." In a comparison of which clients commit the most crimes when out on bond, it has been found that in some states when defendants are supervised by "pretrial release officers" the defendant is most often likely to re-offend by a factor of 30% to 80% depending on the city.. State and local statistics show that when a defendant is "supervised" by a bail bond agent, the likelihood of a defendant may re-offend is less than 7%. Why? Because when a family member or a friend puts up collateral for a bond, or is involved in a bond, the defendant is more closely supervised by his/her relatives and friends, and the bail bond agent. When an individual gets "out of jail" free (without a bond), the seriousness of the crime is thought to be diminished and the person is merely inconvenienced when arrested and set free by "pretrial release officers."