Figuring How Bail Bonds Work in New Jersey
To understand how bail bonds work in New Jersey, it is important to know the laws, rules and procedures that are found in the relationship of bail bond agents and the courts. Generally speaking, the concept of bail bonds in all 50 states and the District of Columbia work on the same basic principles with a few minor differences that are mostly centered on the laws governing the percentage of the deposit for the bail bond itself.
The Bail Bonds System in New Jersey
When a person is charged with a crime, they are taken into the custody of law enforcement and sent to jail. During this time in which the defendant is being processed and interviewed, they are presented with the opportunity to post bail if it is applicable to their case. Since bail even in minor cases can be substantially high, a bail bonds company is present to post what the court requires and charges the defendant with a percentage which is in the form of a non-refundable deposit.
To work with a bail bond company means posting the deposit in the form of cash, assets or a bond depending on the rules and regulations of the particular company. In some cases, a form of collateral that is at least the equivalent of the deposit needed will suffice.
At this point, the bail agency will then post the bail and take responsibility for the defendant to be in court at the appointed time. Failure to turn up in court may result in the bail agency using a bounty hunter to track down the individual and bring them in.
New Jersey Bail Bond Charges & Fees
In New Jersey, the fee charged by the bail bond company is generally 10% of the total bail. This fee is non-refundable even if the case is tossed out. In addition to the 10% non-refundable fee, the bondsman will also take out security in the form of a mortgage or other assets that add up in value to the total amount of the bail.
If the defendant does show up for court and fulfills the contract of the bail bonds agency, then the assets are no longer tied up as securities. However, if they do not show up in court, then the bail bonds New Jersey agency can cash in these securities in order to pay the full amount of the bail. Plus, in addition to the bounty hunter, the bail bonds agency in New Jersey can sue the defendant for the money that they are owed and claim recompense with the securities that they have contracted with the defendant or their relatives or friends that also signed the contract.
The bail bonds New Jersey agencies operate for the most part the same as in every other state. There is no specific law which governs the deposit that they charge. However, 10% is the norm based on the practices found around the country. To better understand how bail bonds work in New Jersey, it helps to know the NJ bail laws which govern the court system.
Video: How Bail Bonds Work in New Jersey
New Jersey Bail Bonds Information
How does bail bonds work in New Jersey? A judge will set the defendant’s bail amount. The New Jersey bailbond company will post the bond once a co-signor guarantees the full amount of bail to the bondsman will be paid if the defendant does not appear in court for trial.