Bail bonding agents are required to describe the condition of the collateral when it was taken on the collateral receipt. If your collateral is damaged, first inform the bonding agent and then the insurance company on the bond. If you are not satisfied with their response, call the Division of Insurance.
No. Bail bonding agents may not charge extra service fees for using a credit card.
Yes. Bonding agents commonly accept credit cards. You may be able to charge the premium for your appearance bond and all necessary collateral on your credit card.
Yes, but you can only be charged if the collateral was stored in a public storage facility. You are only liable for the actual storage fees charged to the bonding agent. The bonding agent is required to inform you of the storage fees you will be charged at the time the contract is negotiated. Remember, the agent must give you a receipt for the collateral.
You must go to the court where the bond was posted and get a “bond release” or “certificate of discharge” which must be given to the bail bonding agent. The bonding agent then has a limited period of time to return your collateral.
Collateral is a deposit of money or property to protect the bail bonding agent from loss if the defendant fails to appear and the bond is forfeited. Collateral can come from the defendant, or from friends and family, who are known as “co-signers” or “indemnitors.” A written contract must be signed when the collateral is taken and the bail bonding agent must provide a receipt. The bail bonding agent has a right to use collateral to pay forfeitures and the expenses of apprehending and returning the defendant to custody.
Yes. Most appearance bond forms contain a standard condition that requires you to notify the court immediately if you change your residence or address.
No, unless you receive permission from the court and the bonding agent. It depends on the terms of your bond set by the court and on your agreement with the bonding agent. You will probably need the court’s approval and a consent of surety.
Yes. There is an automatic “mandatory restraining order” that is in effect from when the defendant is advised of rights at arraignment to the final disposition of any appeal. The defendant is automatically restrained from harassing, molesting, intimidating, retaliating against, or tampering with any witness to or victim of the acts charged. Violation of this mandatory restraining order can result in separate criminal charges.
Maybe. Only the court has the authority to order the bonding agent to return the premium. You will need to ask the court to order the refund of premium.