Bailing a friend out of jail can be very expensive. Fortunately, there are jail bond agents like those with Hawaii State Bonding LLC who are willing to post bail so you can bail your friend out of jail, but there are several things you will want to do to make sure your relationship with the jail bond agent is very smooth. 

Find Out How the Jail Bond Agent Does Business

Inform the jail bond agent about the specific crime that was committed and find out if he or she handles that type of crime. Some jail bond agents are specialized in handling bail for certain types of criminals. Also, jail bond agents can have different processes, so make sure to inquire about what is expected of you.

Gather Important Information

Find out where your friend is in custody. Have the city, state, and name of the jail ready. Provide the full name and booking number of the individual in jail. Also, find out how much the bail is. While the jail bond agent can contact the jail to find out the bail, you will make the process easier.

In some cases, you may not even be forced to pay the entire bail amount. For instance, you may only be asked to pay 10% of the bail with a promise that you will pay the full amount if the defendant fails to show up in court.

Communicate Regularly with the Jail Bond Agent

Stay in contact with the jail bond agent throughout the process and remain in contact with your friend. If for whatever reason, you think your friend will not show up for court, inform the jail bond agent of this. The agent might have ideas for how to help your friend show up in court.

Be Prepared to Put Up Collateral

Have a plan for what you will put up as collateral. Bail bond agents are able to accept cars, credit cards, bank accounts, real estate, stock, and bonds. The collateral will be sold if the defendant fails to show up to court. If you have a strong enough credit score, you may be able to receive a bond on your credit alone.

Don't Wait Too Long

Make sure to start the process as soon as possible. Depending on how many jail bond agents are in your area and depending on how many cases are currently ongoing, you may have to wait awhile for a jail bond agent to be able to handle your case. 

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