What is a Bail Bond Agent?

A licensed bail bond agent posts a defendant's appearance bond and guarantees that the defendant will appear in court each and every time as ordered by the court. Bail bond agents must be licensed by the State and have an appointment from an insurance company. Exception being, a Property Bondsman pledges his own collateral with the State and local courts he chooses to do business with and is not affiliated with an insurance company. Bail bond agents are paid a fee (premium), which is usually nonrefundable, to post the bail bond. The fee is typically 10-15 percent of the amount of the bail bond. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the court may order the bond "forfeited" and require the bail bond agent to pay the court the full amount of the bond posted. Bail bond agents have the right to apprehend, return the defendant to custody, and seek reimbursement for apprehension costs and/or the full amount of the bail bond posted. A bail bond agent shall not dispense legal advice to ...  more

A bail bond agent, or bondsman, is any person or corporation who will act as a surety and pledge money or property as bail for the appearance of a criminal defendant in court.  more