You've just gotten a call from the jail. Your friend has been arrested, and they want your help to post bail. You're flattered that they used their one phone call on you, but you're also not sure if you want to help them out.
When deciding whether or not to post bail for a friend, you should keep the following facts in mind:
1. You don't always get bail back.
Bail can be returned to you, but that's contingent on whether or not the person shows up for their trial. If they don't show up, they forfeit the bail that has been paid. Before posting bail for a friend, consider whether or not they are likely to show up for the trial. If you don't trust them, tell them to call someone else.
2. You can get help if you can't afford the entire bail amount.
Bail can be a large sum of money, and you may not be able to easily access that amount. If you can't afford the bail on your own, ask your friend if they have assets they can sell or a credit card they can use.
Alternatively, consider borrowing money from another friend or relative, taking out a loan against your retirement account, or pawning some of your valuables for a temporary loan. If those options don't work, you may want to turn to a bail bonds person.
3. Bail bonds companies take a range of payments.
When you work with a bail bonds company, they cover the cost of the bail, and you just make an upfront payment. The upfront payment is typically a percentage of the bail amount. Luckily, bond's people are often flexible.
They may be willing to take all kinds of credit cards. Or, they may even accept property titles. Don't assume that you can't afford to work with a bonds person. Call them to talk about what types of payments they accept.
4. Bail bond's down payments are not refundable.
As indicated above, you can get back the bail when the arrested person shows up for their trial. Similarly, when a bonds company pays the bail, they also get a refund of their payment when the person shows up for the trial. However, you don't get a refund for the amount you paid to the bail bonds company.
That amount is for the services of the bail bonds company. In other words, if you are willing to do this for your friend, make sure they can repay you.
You wouldn't want to sit in jail. If the person calling you is a true friend, consider covering their bail. You'd want the same if you were in their situation.
Contact bail bonds company to learn more about available options for posting bail.
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