Before you sign up for a bail bond, make sure you know what kind of bond you’re getting. There are several types of Luzerne County bail bonds, including Cash bail, Personal recognizance release, Insurance bond, and citation bond. Each type of bond has a different purpose and rate.
Cash Bail
Cash bail is the most common type of bail bond and involves posting the bail amount. Unlike other types of bail bonds, cash bail requires the accused to post their entire amount, often tens of thousands of dollars. This money is then returned to the poster once the case is over. The accused may also use collateral, such as a car.
Cash bail is usually the only option when a person is arrested and charged with a crime. It is used to ensure that the accused shows up to court. However, the government forfeits the cash if the accused does not appear in court. Cash bail can be posted by a family member or friend and may require a cash deposit, credit card payment, or a check.
Personal Recognizance Release
Using a bail bond is a legal way to secure the release of a person. It varies from state to state, but essentially, it consists of posting a bond, which the jailer can forfeit if the defendant fails to appear. There are two primary types of bail bonds: cash and personal recognizance releases. Cash bonds require the defendant to pay a certain sum to the court, while individual recognizance releases are based on a promise to appear in court. In both cases, the defendant signs a document stating that they will return to court on the court date assigned to them.
A personal recognizance release is a low-cost form of bail. Under this type of release, the defendant signs papers stating that they will appear in court and then is released. The amount of bail, however, varies, depending on the crime and the defendant’s criminal history. If the defendant does not show up in court, the court will arrest them.
Insurance Bond
An insurance bond is an alternative to cash bail. It is issued in a more significant amount than cash bail and requires the payment of a fee to a private company. The price is usually 10% or less of the total amount. The cost is never refunded, and it is set by law. In addition to the fee, the insurance company may ask for additional money, often called collateral.
Another type of bail bond is a surety bond. This type of bond uses a property as collateral. It is not legal in all states and is generally unavailable to people who cannot afford to post bail. Because this type of bond uses a property, it takes longer to process than a cash bond. It also requires collateral of at least 150% of the original amount.
Citation Bond
If you’re arrested for a minor offense, you may need to get a bail bond released. A bail bond is a document that states that the person will appear in court on a specific date. Failure to appear in court can lead to more legal trouble, such as jail time. The person may also lose their driver’s license, unemployment benefits, or even tax refunds.
There are many types of bail bonds. Some require collateral. Federal bonds are difficult to get and expensive. The bail bond industry is worth over $2 billion annually, so knowing which bond you need is crucial.
Collectibles
Bail bonds come in many different forms. They can include cash bonds, property bonds, and personal surety bonds. Cash bonds are paid in hard cash, and the poster of the bond will receive a refund after the defendant appears in court. However, the court will keep some of the money for administrative costs. This refund process can take several months. In addition, if the defendant does not appear, the bond will become collectible.
Property bonds can also be issued in some counties. Property bonds require the defendant to provide collateral, typically property. This collateral must be worth at least twice the bail amount. The court can seize the property if the defendant does not appear. A property bond application requires documents to be notarized, including appraisals of the property.
Vehicles
Vehicles are commonly used as collateral for bail bonds. This type of collateral can be valuable property like motor homes, boats, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles. If the defendant defaults on their bail bond, the bail bond company can repossess the vehicle.
Vehicles are not always an option. A real estate is a good option, but only if the defendant owns the property. This type of collateral must be in good condition and worth the bail amount. Also, it cannot be under a mortgage. Another good option is to give a relative the legal title to the property.