Bail Bond Cosigner
In today’s legal system, when an individual commits a crime, they are deemed innocent until proven guilty. In many cases, individuals accused of a crime have the option to be let out on bail until the date of their court hearing. While this seems like a simple procedure, there is one very common problem that most face, and that is being unable to individually pay the bond fee. To still give those accused of a crime the opportunity to stay out of jail until their court date, the legal system allows the accused to take out a bail bond. In many cases, the bail bond requires a cosigner. Below is all the necessary information about what it means to be a cosigner and what responsibilities are involved.
Bail Bonds Cosigner Overview
A bail bond is essentially an agreement between the bail bond company, the courts, and the “indeminator” commonly known as the “cosigner.” When a bail bond is taken out for the purpose of bailing someone out of jail, a cosigner is someone that is given financial responsibility for the bond should the accused not fulfill his or her obligation to show up in court. However, there are instances where notifying the bail bonds company of an issue on behalf of the accused can protect the cosigner from paying for the bond. It is recommended that you contact the bail bond company and the court immediately if there is a problem.
Responsibilities of a Cosigner
Individuals that decide to cosign the agreement have a number of responsibilities. Below are a list and explanation of each:
- Financially Responsible for the Bond – if the accused does not attend court on their designated date, the cosigner is responsible for the bond.
- Proof of Collateral – not everyone has access to monetary funds for the bail bond. In the case that monetary funds are not sufficient, the cosigner must also prove other means of collateral such as jewelry, a car, or house.
- Release Conditions – another responsibility is ensuring that the accused is complying with their release conditions. This means being present during drug tests and analysis.
- Cancellation of the Bond – the cosigner can cancel their obligation to the agreement and the bond. In this case, the accused returns to jail.
The above are the main obligations that one has when cosigning a bail bond agreement. However, depending on the bail bond company chosen, these conditions can vary slightly. For full clarification, contact your bail bonds company so you are aware of the terms of their specific contract.
Contact a Bail Bonds Company
To help a loved one get out of jail and to become a cosigner, contact a bail bonds company right away. A bail bonds company is able to help your loved one get the funds that they need to be jail free before their trial. As a cosigner, you are making one of the best decisions possible for a loved one. While it may be a slight sacrifice, it is an especially wise decision because it helps those that are not guilty regain the freedom that they should have before they are put on trial.
