Common Bail Questions Made Simple

When someone is arrested, the court sets bail to ensure they appear for their court dates. There are three common types of bail: personal recognizance, property or cash, and bail bonds. Personal recognizance means the judge trusts the defendant to show up and lets them sign a promise to appear. If the judge needs more assurance, the defendant’s family might have to post cash or property or use a bail bondsman to secure the bond.

A bail bondsman (or woman) is a person who pledges their property as a guarantee to help release someone from jail. Most bondsmen work with insurance companies and post bail bonds on their behalf. It’s important to ask for the agent’s license before making any payments to avoid fraud, as most states require bondsmen to be licensed.

A bail bond is a financial guarantee made on behalf of a defendant to ensure they appear in court. If the defendant fails to show up, the bond is forfeited, and the full amount must be paid to the court.

When posting a bond, the bail agent assesses the risk based on the defendant’s background, charges, and company policies. Most bonds require a co-signer or indemnitor who agrees to pay the bond amount if the defendant doesn’t appear in court. For larger or higher-risk bonds, collateral may also be required.

Collateral is a form of security to protect the bail agent against bond forfeiture on large or high-risk bonds. Common types of collateral include real estate, cash, or other cash instruments such as bank CDs and securities.

The bond is exonerated, or discharged, once the court disposes of the case, whether the defendant is found innocent or guilty or the case is dismissed. After receiving official court documentation of the case’s resolution, your liability ends, and any collateral you provided will typically be returned within two weeks.

The bond fee, or premium, is usually 10% of the total bond amount. For example, a $10,000 bond typically costs $1,000. Some states allow fees up to 15%, and additional jail or bond fees may apply. Each bond is unique, and we offer flexible payment plans with no finance charges to help make it affordable. Contact a live agent at 1 (888) 444-5546 for details.

The bond premium is non-refundable. Agencies pay fees, taxes, and other costs when posting the bond, so once the bond is posted, the premium is earned, even if the case is dismissed.

Payments can be made in person, online, or by phone. We accept all major credit and debit cards. While checks are accepted, the bond will not be posted until the check clears. You can also pay via Western Union, MoneyGram, or direct bank transfer.

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You can mail payments to:
A-Available Bail Bonding
P.O. Box 393
Greenville, SC 29602
Or pay by phone at 1 (866) 444-5546 (toll-free).

Online Payments

A transfer bond is a bail bond posted in a location outside our usual service area. We work with insurance companies covering most states and counties nationwide, allowing us to post bonds anywhere in the US. Additional fees apply for transfer bonds.