Top Bail Bond Glossary Terms You Need to Know

If you are facing an arrest warrant, or your loved one has just been arrested, it will help to learn the basic bail bond terminology so that you can better understand your options, circumstances, and responsibilities. You may also contact a Hamilton County bail bondsman anytime for free advice and information.

In the meantime, continue below to review the top bail bond glossary terms you should know.

Noblesville Bail Bondsman 317-919-2489

Noblesville Bail Bondsman 317-919-2489

Arrest

Individuals that have committed a crime are arrested and taken to the county jail by law enforcement. They are detained in jail until they can make bail or go to court.

Jail

County detention center where criminals are detained under law; either serving a sentence or awaiting trial.

Inmate

A person that is detained in jail for committing a crime; either serving time or awaiting trial.

Bail

Money paid in place of an inmate’s temporary release from jail while awaiting their initial hearing. Individuals who deposit the bail take on the responsibility of the inmate. They have to forfeit the money paid if the inmate fails to appear for their hearing.

Bail Bond

A bail bond is the actual item that a person needs to obtain to be released from jail while awaiting their court dates. To be “bonded” out of jail requires the assistance of a bail bondsman or a bail agency. They will be able to make a deal with the court by guaranteeing the appearance of the defendant at their court date. If the defendant fails to appear, then the bail agency is responsible for the entire bond amount. The defendant is only required to pay a small percentage of the full bail amount to receive the services of a bail agency and be released from jail. That percent is usually between 10-15%, depending on the state.

Bail Bondsman

A person or company that acts as a surety and pledges the full bond amount to the courts in trade for an inmate’s release from jail; on the guarantee that the inmate appear for their court date, otherwise forfeiting the money paid. These agencies charge a non-refundable fee that is a legally-mandated percentage of an inmate’s total bond amount (Generally 10-15%).

Bounty Hunter

A bounty hunter is often mistaken for a bail bondsman, and vice versa. The truth is, a bounty hunter is NOT a bail bondsman. A bounty hunter is the accomplice, per se, of the bail bondsman. If a defendant fails to appear for their court date after being released from jail by the services of a bail bondsman, the following can happen: The courts will hold the bail bond agency responsible for the entire bond amount, usually thousands of dollars. Then they are required to FIND the defendant and bring him or her back in front of the courts to face their charges. In order to find the defendant, the bail bondsman requires the assistance of their accomplices, the bounty hunters. A bounty hunter is hired by a bail agency to act as a detective and search out the fleeing defendant. If they can produce the defendant to the courts, then the bail agency is off the hook, and the bounty hunter makes a profit.

Indemnitor

The person that co-signs, guarantees, and is responsible for an inmate’s appearance in court. The indemnitor is held accountable for the entire bond amount, plus additionally incurred fees (i.e. fugitive recovery fees, filing fees, processing fees, legal costs, etc.), if an inmate misses their hearing.

Collateral

Property given in place of cash to a bail bondsman in trade for services rendered (i.e. boats, cars, fine jewelry, real estate, etc.).

Failure to Appear – FTA

Absent for scheduled mandatory court hearings. This is an additional criminal charge.

Forfeiture

In the case of an FTA, an indemnitor or guarantor must pay courts bond in full or relinquish collateral pledged for an inmate’s bail. The courts generally send a “Notice of Forfeiture” to the bail bondsman to disclose an inmate’s FTA and date in which the bond amount must be paid in full to the court.

Fugitive

An inmate that has failed to appear for their scheduled court date, an escapee from a corrections facility, or individuals that have a warrant out for their arrest.

Arrest Warrant

A legal decree that gives law enforcement permission arrest an individual that is a known fugitive or suspected of a crime. FTA’s also have warrants issued for their arrest. For example, if a person is pulled over for a traffic violation and has an arrest warrant, they can be arrested and taken to jail on the spot.

Aiding and Abetting

Knowingly providing money, food, help, assistance, or shelter to a fugitive.

Hamilton County Bail Bondsmen

Boone County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

Boone County Bail Bonds 317-919-2489

Call Uptown Bail Bonds at 317-919-2489 for prompt and professional bail bonds in Hamilton County, Indiana. Our licensed and insured bail bondsmen are on duty 24 hours a day so they can get you in and out of jail for a bench warrant in as little as a few hours! Call 317-919-2489 to learn how to get started, today. We are open 24 hours and 7 days a week!