3 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A BAIL BOND AGENT

By websitebuilder
•
31 Oct, 2017

You may feel like your life has come crashing down around you. In fact, you are likely sitting in a jail cell with no idea when you'll be able to leave. Technically, you could pay the bail amount and get released, but you don't have enough money to do that. Your best option? Hire a bail bond agent to help you with the payment.
But with so many bail bond agents out there, how do you decide which one to go with? You'll have to do some research, but there are some characteristics that reputable bail bond agents share. Here are three things to look for when deciding which bail bond agent to choose.

1. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Competence comes not just from education but also from practical experience. A bail bondsman with 30 years of experience will have a deeper understanding of how to navigate the laws surrounding bail and court appearances than will one with only two years of experience. For this reason, you should make sure to ask how long the bail bondsman has been in business for.

Because laws differ from state to state, you should also ask the bail bondsman how long he or she has been in business in your particular state. A bail bondsman with several years or even decades of experience in your state will have a more intimate knowledge of the subtleties and nuances of your state's court system than one who has only been there for a short time.

Of course, experience does not automatically guarantee competence or professionalism. You will still want to do more research to ensure that the bail bond agent you are considering is the best one for you.

2. UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION

Being arrested is stressful enough as it is, and you don't need a bail bondsman who increases your anxiety. The last thing you want is a bail bondsman who is judgmental or condescending. Instead, try to find someone who shows sympathy and concern for your situation.

One way to gauge this is by taking note of how he or she answers your questions. A caring bondsman will listen closely and respond thoughtfully. You probably have a lot of concerns, and a bail bondsman who takes the time to provide you with clear and simple explanations is someone you can trust to help you successfully navigate this difficult time.

3. CONSTANT AVAILABILITY

Arrests never happen at a convenient time. You may find yourself in jail and in need of bail on a weekend or in the middle of the night. Even if you are arrested during the normal work week, you may find you have questions or concerns that pop up outside of business hours. Either way, knowing that you can contact your bail bondsman at any time of day or night will take a huge burden off your shoulders.

Make sure you choose a bail bondsman who responds to phone calls 24/7. You don't want to have to wait around to get bailed out of jail or to have your concerns addressed. Most bail bond agents list their availability on their website. Of course, if they are not responding to your initial call at midnight, it's probably a good sign that they prefer to stick to normal business hours.

Working with a bail bond agent can save you a lot of unnecessary stress. If you need an experienced, compassionate bail bondsman in the San Antonio, TX, area, contact Raymond Martinez Attorney at Law. Call anytime, day or night, for immediate assistance, and don't hesitate to ask any questions or bring up any concerns you may have.