Bondsman Fort Wayne, Indiana

What You Need to Know About Working With a Bondsman in Fort Wayne Indiana

Bail Bonds

Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the second-largest city in the state and is located in the largest county, Allen County. Smith American Bail Bonds is an excellent choice if you need bail bonding services in Allen County or Fort Wayne. This article will provide insights into the bail bonding process for Fort Wayne, IN.

Few things are as unpleasant and unnerving as spending time in a holding cell. Fortunately, working with a bail bondsman in Fort Wayne, IN, is a quick and sure way to obtain release while awaiting trial. At Smith American Bail Bonds, we help defendants return to work, their families, and their lives with cheap bail bonds and unmatched customer service. With our bail bond services, you can reclaim your freedom and enjoy time to find a qualified defense attorney, build your case, and take care of other significant legal and financial obligations. With bond premiums as low as 8%, we make getting bailed out as affordable and hassle-free as possible. We also share important information about the bail bond process to combat common myths and confusion. know that a bail bondsman from Smith American Bail Bonds from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is very accurate about the bail process in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

If Your Judge Set a Surety Bond, You'll Need a Bail Bondsman in Fort Wayne

With cash bail, defendants in Fort Wayne, IN, can bail themselves out by paying their full bail amounts with cash, credit card, or debit card.  Although cash bonds are the most popular type of bond in Fort Wayne, judges can and do set surety bonds instead. Surety bonds or "surety or cash bonds" may be ordered if defendants are considered minor flight risks or lack adequate ties to the local community. With a surety bond, you must work with a Fort Wayne bail bondsman and cannot pay bail alone.

Bail and Bond Are Not the Same

Although "bail" and "bond" are often used interchangeably, they mean distinctly different things. When posting bail, defendants pay 100% of their bail amounts and can reclaim them in full after making all mandatory court appearances. When paying bail amounts with bonds, defendants pay a small premium of approximately 10% of their bail amounts. These monies are non-refundable and serve as administrative fees for bond services. With a bond, a third-party guarantor or bondsman pays the entire bail amount on behalf of the defendant.

Why Do Judges Set Surety Bonds?

People with no prior criminal charges and strong community ties are often released on their own recognizance when charged with crimes. These individuals are believed to have enough incentive to return to court voluntarily. After all, they have families to provide for, jobs to maintain, and homes or other local assets to protect.  However, when defendants are new to the community and lack community ties or worthwhile incentives for returning to court, judges might set surety bonds instead.

Bail Bonds

Bail Bondsmen Benefit Both Clients and the Courts

For defendants, a Fort Wayne bondsman will provide much-needed financial relief. After all, paying just 8% to 10% of your bail amount is a lot easier than paying the whole thing. However, for the court system, bail bondsman also provide assurance that defendants with limited or no community ties will appear on their trial dates. This is because bail bondsman have a vested financial interest in these matters. When defendants go to court, the bail monies that bondsmen have paid on their behalf are returned.

What Is the Bond Process in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Having a judge set a surety bond isn't the only reason you might need a Fort Wayne bail bondsman. Bail amounts can be pretty high. In fact, according to the Indiana bond schedule, bail for a misdemeanor charge could be as high as $1,000. If you're charged with a Level 3 felony, your bond amount could be as high as $16,000. Bond amounts for Level 1 felonies are set at $40,000. Few people have this kind of cash lying around.

When you work with Smith American Bail Bonds, the bond process in Fort Wayne, IN, is straightforward. After receiving your cash, cash or surety, or surety bail order, you'll negotiate a bond premium of 8%. Many back their bond loans with real estate property, high-value automobiles, or electronics if a bondsman requires collateral. Your Fort Wayne bondsman from Smith American Bail Bonds will pay the entire amount on your behalf, and you'll obtain your release. Your bondsman will also offer limited supervision to appease the court until your court date by providing as-needed reminders to appear.

Some Fort Wayne bail orders include additional orders or instructions, such as "no contact" and "no alcohol or substances." Under these, defendants must also keep a sufficient distance from the listed parties and abstain from all alcohol consumption and the use of substances.

Who Do I Contact to Bond Someone Out in Fort Wayne, IN?

Although there are many bail bond companies in Fort Wayne, and all of them work closely with the local court system, not all bond services are created equally. If you're searching for a Fort Wayne bail bondsman near you, Smith American Bail is the local bail bondsman to call, and they can be reached at 317-531-5447. We offer 8% bail bonds to help those with disabilities and low-income parties with families to support or other pressing financial obligations. We're also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our 24-hour bail bond services can help you expedite the release of your loved one for rapid peace of mind.