Frequently Asked Questions About Surety Contracts
Bailing someone out of jail is not something the average person does multiple times. So when a family member or friend calls to tell you they have been arrested and are in jail, you may have many questions about the bail bond process. If you are co-signing a bail bond on behalf of a family member or friend, you may be asked to sign a surety contract. Here are a few of the specific questions you may have in regards to surety contracts and the bail bond process.
What is a Surety Contract?
When you are posting bail on behalf of a family member or friend with a bonding company, you will likely be asked to sign a surety contract. A surety contract is a contract that holds you responsible for the money that is being posted. When you post bail on behalf of someone through a bonding company, you are only putting up a fraction of the bail amount. If bail is set at $5,000, you are likely only paying the bail company $500 to free your loved one. If they run or skip out on bail, the surety contract states that you are financially responsible for the remaining $4,500 that has to be forfeited to the courts if your family member or friend skips out on bond.
Are There Risks in Signing a Surety Contract?
There are many risks associated with signing a surety contract. When you sign a surety bail contract, you are guaranteeing that you can ensure your family member or friend will not skip out on bail and will show up to court. If they fail to do so, and they cannot be immediately found to be re-arrested or taken back to jail, you are on the hook for the money that is outstanding. If you secured the debt with your car title or your home, you could lose either of those to pay down the debt. You can also have your wages garnished and your bank accounts seized to satisfy the debt. As such, you should only sign a surety contract when you are sure the individual will not skip out on bail.
Is a Surety Contract and a Surety Bond the Same Thing?
As you read through the bail bond contract, you may notice two different terms: surety contract and surety bond. The type of bond that is issued by the bail bond company is often referred to as a surety bond when a co-signer is involved. A surety contract is a contract that you sign to guarantee the bond.
At Free at Last Bail Bonds, we are fully committed to reuniting families. If you or a loved one needs our services, we are here for you 24 hours a day at 470-410-3409. Call us now when you need to help bond a loved one out of jail.