When someone has been arrested, courts will usually set bail as a condition of their release. Unfortunately, many families don’t have the resources to pay bail themselves, which is where a bonding agency comes in. A bail bond allows defendants to wait out their trials at home without putting their loved ones under additional financial pressure. Here's a closer look at the process.

How Does Bail Work?

Bail is essentially a cash deposit that guarantees a defendant will appear at all their scheduled court dates. Once the judge issues a bail amount, anyone can post the required funds with the court, after which the defendant will be released. Any funds paid directly to the court will be supposedly returned at the end of the case, regardless of whether the defendant was found guilty or acquitted, as long as they have maintained their attendance in court. In Connecticut, once bail money is directly paid to the court, the funds collected could be used to pay fines and court fees.

What Is a Bail Bond?

If the defendant can’t afford to post bail on their own, a bond agency will advocate on their behalf. Bail bonds agencies essentially serve as guarantees that the defendant will show up in court.

Instead of posting the entire bail amount, the defendant or a family member pays a percentage to the agency, usually 10%. However, the agency keeps this fee in exchange for their services, even if the defendant appears at all their court dates.

What Other Services Do Bail Bond Agencies Provide?

Along with arranging for a defendant’s release, bail bond agencies also help ensure they make their future court dates. Many offer reminder phone calls and will even provide transportation to make sure their client arrives on time.

If a defendant does miss a date, a bail agent can explain the situation in court, potentially helping them avoid being sent back to jail. Because they have extensive experience with the local criminal justice system, many agents also maintain lists of reputable attorneys who can help defendants achieve the best possible outcomes.

If you or someone you care about has been arrested, trust 3-D Bail Bonds to get them back home as quickly as possible. We’ve been providing reliable bail bond services to defendants throughout the state for over 23 years, with a reputation built on friendly customer service and 24-hour availability. Visit our website to learn the steps of posting bail, follow our Hartford location's Facebook page for helpful tips, and call (860) 247-2245 to reach our main office. You are also welcome to visit our 3-D Bail Bonds office in person at 57 Fishfry Street, Hartford, CT, 06120, directly across from the Hartford Correctional Center. To speak with a bail bondsman in New Britain, call (860) 229-2525 or visit our New Britain Facebook page. Dial (203) 562-6666 for help posting bail in the New Haven and Hamden areas, and visit this location's Facebook page for more information.