Attorney Bail Bond
Following the arrest of an individual for a criminal act, the individual is arraigned by the court. This arraignment serves to determine if bail is appropriate and at what amount it should be set. An attorney or paralegal will argue with the court for prisoner release and strive for a lower amount to be set. The amount of bail set by the court usually depends on the severity of the crime committed and the propensity the individual has for flight. If bail is set, the individual is released from custody pending their actual court date. An attorney bail bond will allow for only a percentage of the set bail, or collateral to be paid to bondsmen, who will guarantee a court appearance on behalf of the individual. Criminal defense attorneys, bail bond and bondsman should always be licensed in the state in which the offence was committed.
While the criminally charged individual is responsible for putting up the cash or collateral on the bond, an attorney bail bond will make arrangements and handle the necessary details while the individual is in custody and unable to do so. An attorney bail bond also deems only a portion of the bail amount set by the courts as sufficient. If the individual fails to appear for court under the bondsman's guarantee, the attorney bail bond agreement becomes void and a specially trained bondsman or "bounty hunter" will attempt to capture the individual and turn him over to the police in an effort to recoup the money paid for bail. Although not considered a law enforcement official, bounty hunters exercise certain rights over that of an ordinary citizen and can take additional measures to apprehend a fleeing criminal.
An attorney bail bond is a necessary precaution to ensure every citizen's rights are being protected and to allow for release from custody until a jury of peers is able to make a determination on a verdict.