There are several topics within the bail bonds industry that have been misconstrued, twisted around, forgotten about, and much more. Let’s set the story straight with a few examples of some bail bond facts and their corresponding “myths” that people incorrectly associate with bail services. Continue reading to learn a few interesting misconceptions about bail bonds and the accurate truths and explanations behind them all.
Bail Bondsmen and Bounty Hunters
Many people assume bail bondsmen are bounty hunters. Movies, television shows, and more have all given men and women false perspectives on what a bail bondsman actually does for a living. Bail bondsmen are not bounty hunters; in fact, bounty hunters are not legal in all states. Bounty hunters are contractors for bail bondsmen. In some cities, a bail agent will hire a bounty hunter to track down and bring in a high profile fugitive. In other states, this practice is illegal. Basically, bounty hunters are fugitive recovery agents; while bail bondsmen are generally responsible for underwriting bail bonds and ensuring that defendants show up for their scheduled court dates. Research your state’s ordinances on bounty hunting to see where your local legislature stands.
Women in the Industry
It is commonly assumed that all bail agents are men. This is simply not true. There are numerous female bail agents in the industry that perform just the same as men, if not better. Often times, people naturally associate bail agents with men because of the first myth mentioned in this article. The truth is bail agents are not seeing action, on the run after fugitives, and engaging in hostile investigations; as seen on television. Bail agents are desk workers that help cover bond amounts for a small non-refundable fee; as well as, ensure a defendant’s presence in court. This is a job easily, and often times, done by either a man or woman.
More Misunderstandings
Bail bonds are not the same thing as bail. This is another common misunderstanding. Bail represents the amount of money set by the courts to get out of jail; whereas, bail bonds are the documents and methods used to pay that bond amount and get a person out of jail to await their future court date.
Also, there are rumors that say one bail bondsman is cheaper than the other. This is far from the truth. Bail bond rates are mandated and controlled by local governments. A bail bondsman can only charge the allotted percentage set by law. If it is cheaper to bail one friend out of jail compared to another, it is not because the services were less expensive; it was because the bond amounts set by their courts were different. The bond amount is calculated by past offenses current charges, and more; so it is different for everyone.