Seattle Bail Bonds

Securing a Bail Bond in Seattle

The process of receiving and posting bail is similar across the country as almost all legal jurisdictions and their codices are based on English Common Law. Courts will set bail based on a defendant’s prior history, their ability to flee a region, and the seriousness of the crime they are being charged with. Bail is part of the presumption of innocence clause in the US Constitution. Individuals must be considered “innocent” prior to the verdict in their trial, therefore they must be released, or have the option of release, to the public as they await trial. Many people with the financial wherewithal to do so post a cash bail at their arraignment, for others this is not possible and they must seek the help of a bail bond agency.

In almost every city you go to you will find bail bondsmen, Seattle is no exception. Seattle bail bondsmen are required to be licensed and certified within their jurisdiction. They must prove to the court their reliability and provide a bank or insurance company that will “back” any bail that must be paid in full, IE, when an individual “skips” bail. Bond agents have a standing security agreement with local court officials, in which they agree to post an irrevocable "blanket" bond, which will pay the court if any defendant for whom the bond agent is responsible does not appear. Because of this rigorous process, bail bonds agencies have strict guidelines that a defendant and the person(s) posting a retainer must adhere to. Each bail bond agency is different, but all of them worth their salt will require a permanent, fixed address and “check ins”. The fee is usually 10 to 15% of the bail set. This money is returned if the individual appears in court as required. Many Seattle bail bondsmen ask that you provide collateral when posting bail. This could be something like the title to your car or the deed to your house. This additional collateral is an insurance policy against an individual jumping bail.

However, if an individual jumps bail a Seattle Bail bondsmen usually will try to call and make sure everything is okay prior to taking more drastic measures. They will call your cosigner and they will try to track you down. If all else fails they will involve the services of a bounty hunter. If the Seattle bail bondsmen have to use a bounty hunters services this will cost the defendant. Not only will he or she have to pay for the contracting of the bounty hunter but they will lose the money that you have already paid to the Seattle bail bondsmen.

Oddly enough, many individuals and families going through this process find Seattle Bail Bonds agencies to be a useful legal adviser and counselor. Not only do they pay bail, but in many cases turn out to be a friend that supports individuals through their most difficult times.

Start the bail bond process

What our bail agents will need from you:

• Defendants Full Name
• Prior Arrest information
• Defendants Date of Birth
• Bond Amount

Sheriff's Department
516 Third Avenue , Room W-150
Seattle, WA 98104-2312
(206) 296-4155

Inmate and Prison Records
500 5th Avenue
Seattle, WA
(206) 296-1234
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