Florida Bail Bond
The Florida bail bond industry has many rules and regulations like other parts of the country. In order to work on the Florida bail bond circuit, one must first take several steps in the acquisition of the proper credentials as well as training and familiarity with local state laws governing the Florida bail bond practice.
To work in the Florida bail bond industry, one must first be 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Next, individuals must be a United States citizen or legal alien with work authorization and be a resident of Florida. After obtaining a temporary license, Florida Bail bond agents must open a place of business located in a Florida county where the records will be maintained. This business must also be open during reasonable business hours and be vouched for and recommended by three reputable citizens who are reside in the county where the Florida bail bond applicant expects to engage in the Florida bail bond profession. Other important provisions for engaging in the Florida bail bond business is that applicants must have a good character with no convictions on a felony, crime of major significance, or crime punishable by 1 year or more in a state or federal prison. Florida bail bond applicants must also pass a series of examinations, as well as provide a current photograph and fingerprints with their application.
Once an applicant has met these provisions, a permanent license to work in the Florida bail bond industry is issued. Bail bondsmen then work alongside the family and friends of persons taken into custody in order to furnish the accused with the money they need to return home on bail while they await trial for their suspected crimes. Often the rate for such services is 10% of the actual bail set. For example, if bail is set at $2,000, a Florida bail bond professional will ask the friends or family of the accused for $200.00 in order to write up the bond and post bail. Should the accused fail to attend their assigned court date, the Florida bail bond officer must apprehend the suspect before they are captured by police, or the price of the bond is surrendered to the courts. For this and other reasons, most bonds must have a committed co-signer who accepts financial responsibility for the bond, as well as providing the Florida bail bond officer with information on the accused whereabouts in the event they neglect to attend their pending court case.