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Steps To Obtain Bail

If you or your loved one has been arrested, and you do not have the money or the assets to post bail;

It’s time to call a bail bondsman!

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The information you’ll need:

  1. Defendants full name. 

  2. Jail/County location

  3. Their current charges

  4. Bail Amount

  5. If they are employed currently

  6. If they are being held on older charges: you'll want to know if the defendant has any 'Failure to Appear" notices on the case.

  7. Any extra information you can gather regarding this arrest.

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 The next step is choosing a bail bondsman to assist!

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Things to know:

-A NC Bail Bondsman must be licensed with the department of Insurance in the state of NC.

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-The max amount a bondsmen can charge for a bond premium is 15% of the total bond amount. 

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-Based on the charges, situation and circumstances collateral up to 100% of the bond may be required. (This is unusual but still a possibility).

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Meeting with the Bondman:

A) When you meet the bondsman, you will be asked to fill out and sign paperwork about yourself and defendant.

*It's important to be 100% truthful and forthcoming on this paperwork*

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B) Paying the bail premium and (if applicable) signing over collateral. The bail premium is a fee charged by the bondsman (15% or less) for being liable to the court system for the defendants promised appearance in court during each of his following court dates for the specific case(s) they are being bonded out for.

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Next Steps:

-The bondsman will turn in paperwork and once the magistrates office and the jail has processed the bail paperwork the defendant will be released.

-Once released the bondsman may have the defendant sign paperwork and discuss the bond and then they are free to go.

*At this point, the defendant is responsible for checking in with the bondsman and notifying them of any changes in their own information or information regarding their court cases. 

**The defendant is also responsible for knowing and attending all court dates. 

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Types of Bonds in NC

Unsecured Bonds

Also known as a Signature Bond, with this type of bond, the magistrate sets the amount of the bond, but you do not have to pay it to be released from jail.

However, if you fail to appear for a court hearing, a money judgment for the amount of the bond would be entered against you. If you are arrested, you would need to pay the money judgment as well as a higher bond to be released from jail.

Secured Bond

The most common type of bond is a secured bond.

 

You would pay the amount of bail set in cash, through a bonding company, or through the use of collateral like real estate.

Cash Bond

You are required to pay the amount of the bond in cash if the magistrate sets a cash bond.

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