If you, a friend, or a relative have been arrested in Macon-Bibb County, you probably have multiple questions. The first among them is likely how to secure the defendant’s release from jail.
Unless the offense was particularly heinous or violent, or the defendant has a history of repeat offenses or bail jumping, nobody—especially the justice system—wants to keep the defendant in jail for the weeks or months between their arrest and their trial. Pre-trial detention is expensive and leads to jail overcrowding.
Beyond that, keeping a defendant in jail takes them out of the workforce, preventing them from contributing to society and earning money to support their family. It also hampers their ability to prepare a meaningful legal defense, which can cause complications for the courts and prosecution during subsequent appeals.
Therefore, the justice system in the US uses a cash bail system where defendants surrender a sum of cash that guarantees their return to court for scheduled appearances. If the defendant makes their court dates, the bail amount is refunded. If they don’t, the bail is forfeited.
But when bail amounts are too high for a defendant or their loved ones to pay out, a licensed bail bonding company can help. Here’s the process a Georgia bail bonding company will use to secure a defendant’s release from pre-trial detention.
The Process Starts With a Call to a Bail Bonding Company
In some jurisdictions, there are multiple bail bonding companies from which to choose. Typically, the larger the city/county, the more licensed bonding agents there are. In those cases, it’s generally useful for a family member or friend of the detainee to call around to a few bonding companies to find one that is a good fit. Don’t bother looking for a lower bonding fee – Georgia law sets the bonding fee at 15% of the bail amount, no matter which company you choose.
In Macon-Bibb County, there are two companies licensed to write bonds.
Regardless of whether you have one or multiple agents to choose from, the bail bonds process starts with a call or visit to the bonding company’s office. There are a few details your bonding agent will get to begin securing the defendant’s release:
- Defendant’s name and date of birth
- Name and location of the jail where the defendant is being held
- The law-enforcement agency that made the arrest
- Defendant’s booking number
- Bail amount
The Bail Bonding Company Will Require a Co-Signer
The other requirement for getting a bond written is the signature of an indemnitor, also known as a co-signer. The co-signer can be a friend, family member, or other acquaintance of the defendant who agrees to pay the full bail amount to the bail bonding company if the defendant fails to appear in court.
The co-signer will need to provide their driver’s license, payroll information, proof of income, and Social Security number.
The Bail Bonding Company Will Make Their Decision
Bonding agents can either accept or deny writing a bond to secure a defendant’s release. While agents are usually willing to write a bond in most cases, they may refuse if they have reason to believe that the defendant may fail to meet their conditions of release or if the co-signer is unable to ensure that they can pay the full bail amount in the event of a default.
The bail bonding company may also require additional collateral in the form of a security deed. In these cases, the bonding company will ensure that they can recover their money by placing a lien on property owned by the co-signer.
The Bail Bonding Company Will Write the Bond
If the bail bonding company agrees to bond the defendant, the co-signer will pay a nonrefundable bonding fee of 15% of the stated bail and a $20 jail processing fee.
Once payment has been made, the bond will be written and presented to the jail. The bond is a reasonably straightforward document: it states that the bail bonding company is guaranteeing that the defendant will return to court for their scheduled appearances. If the defendant fails to appear or otherwise fails to meet the conditions of release, the bonding company will be responsible for paying the entire bail amount to the jail – and the defendant’s co-signer will be required to reimburse the bonding company for the total amount.
The Defendant Will Be Released From Jail
Once the bond is filed, the jail will release the defendant. However, the defendant’s and co-signer relationship with the bail bonding company is not over. During the pre-trial period, the bonding agent may check in periodically to ensure that the conditions of release are being met and that the defendant is still on track to make all of their court appearances.
If the defendant or co-signer has questions about the bond, they can reach out to the bonding agent to get the answers they need. If the defendant’s release is conditional upon electronic monitoring, the bail bonding company may provide monitoring services or may be able to recommend another local company that provides monitoring.
When the Case Is Closed, the Bond Expires
Regardless of the outcome, the defendant’s bond expires only when the case is finally adjudicated in court, a plea arrangement is made, or the charges are dropped. If property is being held as collateral, that deed will be returned to the co-signer after the case is finished.
If the defendant jumps bail or otherwise fails to meet their obligations, the bail bonding company will immediately require the co-signer to pay the entire bail amount. If property was held as collateral, and the bond amount isn’t paid in cash, the property will be sold for the bail bonding company to recover its money.
Arrested in Macon-Bibb County? Don’t Wait in Jail; Call All State Bonding: 478-745-1966
All State Bonding is located in downtown Macon, directly across the street from the Bibb County Jail. We’re available 24/7, and all our bonding decisions are made on-site, so you never have to wait for an answer.