People who are incarcerated pending their trials may be granted freedom as long as they post bail. This is a refundable fee charged by the state to ensure the defendant appears in court as required. Some people are able to pay this fee on their own, but most require the assistance of a bail bondsman. If you are one such person, here are a few tips for protecting yourself when taking out a Bail Bond in Oklahoma City.
Do Business with a Reputable Company
Not all bail bonds companies operate within the law. For whatever reason-;usually related to money-;these companies choose to break the law and scam their customers in some way. To avoid being taken advantage of, it’s critical to only work with reputable bail bondsmen. The company should be licensed and charge the state-mandated fee. Companies without a license or charging cut-rate fees well below the 7% minimum fee regulated by Oklahoma laws should be avoided.
Read the Contract
The contract for Bail Bond in Oklahoma City will list your rights and responsibilities related to the transaction. It should state the amount of the fee you must pay as well as the consequences for failure to appear in court. Read the document carefully. As the indemnitor, you are responsible for making sure the defendant appears in court. If the person doesn’t, you will be held liable for the consequences. Make sure you know what you’re getting into.
Get the Defendant to Court
It’s all well and good to get your loved one out of jail, but that’s not the end of your obligation to the bail bond company. The defendant must show up for court. If the person fails to do so, the bond charged by the state will be forfeited. The bail bond company will then come after you for the money or take possession of any collateral put up to secure the bond. If you want to avoid these consequences, do what it takes to make sure the defendant shows up for all scheduled court appointments. If the defendant misses a court date, contact the bail bondsman as soon as possible to discuss your options.
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