Bail is a refundable, specified amount of money that an arrestee pays the court. It acts as surety that, once set free, the defendant will appear for trial without failure. Sometimes, defendants are unable to raise the bail. In such cases, a bail bonding company or bondsman steps in and helps the defendant post bail in exchange for a small fee. As you are about to find out, there are several types of bail bonds that bondsmen can help you with today depending on the type of crime you are arrested for and the judicial court where the case is determined.

Bail Bond Types: Determine What's Best for You

Some of the common types of bail bonds include:

1.       Cash Bail Bonds

As the name suggests, you can only pay this type of bail using cash when you want to get out of jail. The main problem with cash bail bonds is most arrestees often don't have the required cash with them at the time of arrest, and raising the full bail on short notice is tricky. That is why bail bonding services are a godsend when it comes to posting cash bail. They will lend you the required cash once you provide security for them to hold on to as they await your repayment.

2.       Immigration Bail Bonds

When you or a loved one gets arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for an immigration-related offense, you can use an immigration bail bond to secure their release awaiting the mandated court appearance date. This type of bond is exclusively for individuals that are not citizens of the United States. To ensure the process is successful and takes as little time as possible, the services of professional bail bonding agents are indispensable. They will settle the issue timely and secure your freedom as you await trial.

3.       Property Bail Bonds

In some states, you can also secure a pre-trial release from jail using a particular property's value, like your house. The court then uses this property as collateral. If you fail to appear for trial, the court can foreclose on your property and collect the bail amount you owe them. As simple as it sounds, property bail bonding can take longer than the other bail bond options because the property's value has to be assessed by a court-appointed appraiser. Plus, the paperwork involved can be confusing for the average individual. With professional help from bond dealers, securing property bonds is straightforward and quick.

4.       Federal Bail Bonds

Federal district courts typically issue federal bail bonds. This type of bond applies to individuals accused of federal crimes like kidnapping, drug possession, trafficking, counterfeiting bills, or child pornography. Just like with other types of bail bonds, if you cannot afford federal bail, you are allowed to seek help from a bondsman who is familiar with the bail-posting process used in federal jails.