About Bail

About Bail

We know that this can be a confusing time for you. You probably have a lot of questions about the bail process. Below, we have listed some frequently asked questions that may help you to learn more about this process.

Q: What should I do if I know someone has been arrested?
A: You should call our office at (305) 445-0201 so that we can get the bail bond process started for you. The sooner you call our office, the sooner you friend or family member will be released.

Q: What is the cost of a bail bond?
A: Depending on what type of bail bond it is, they can range between 10% – 15%. The most common type of bail bonds are the state and/or county bail bonds. These types of bail bonds require a 10% premium. Immigration Bonds and Federal Bonds require a 15% premium.

Q: Can bail bond companies charge less than the required set premium?
A: No. The 10% (or 15% required on Immigration Federal Bonds) is set by the state of Florida and can not be negotiated. Bonding companies who claim to charge less are in violation of Florida Statutes. You should be weary of dealing with such companies

Q: Is Collateral Needed?
A: In most cases, no. Each case is unique. Collateral is decided upon the person requesting the bail bond, the prior criminal history of the defendant, and a number of other scenarios. In most cases though, only a signature is required.

Q: When is collateral returned?
A: Collateral is only returned when we get official discharge from the court. We can not return any collateral until we get this information. Upon disposition of the case, we usually receive the discharge 10 – 14 days later.

Q: What are my obligations as the Indemnitor (the person requesting the bail bond)?
A: The Indemnitor is responsible for the full amount of the bail bond in the event of a forfeiture. In addition, it is the indemnitor’s responsibility to help make sure the defendant appears in court each and every time he/she is ordered to do so.