Finding a trustworthy bail bondsman can be difficult since there will always be people who will take advantage of someone caught in a bad situation. Struggling to decide who to call when you need to post bail is an additional stress you don’t need, so here are the steps for how to find a good bail bondsman.
Search locally.
To begin your search you will want to look at the bondsmen who serve your local area. Asking friends and family if they know any reputable bondsmen is a good place to start, but you will also want to take a look at which bondsmen service the specific county where your offense took place.
Understand the requirements.
Once you have a list of the bondsmen serving your area, you will need to narrow down your options. Be sure to check any state requirements for bondsmen to be legal, such as official licensing. If any bondsmen do not meet the legal requirements for your state, take them off of your list.
After finding out who is legally qualified, check online reviews for each bondsman. Finding out what sort of experience others have had with the bondsman, especially if they have been scammed, will help you to decide if the bondsman is reputable.
Know what to avoid.
There are many signs of disreputable bondsmen that should give you an idea of what to avoid. For example, if a bondsman attempts to push you quickly towards a decision, this is a red flag. A reputable bondsman is in the business of helping people, so any bondsman who attempts to push a client towards a hasty decision for their own benefit should be avoided.
Contact the bondsman.
Once you have narrowed down your list to one or two potential bondsmen, call them. Bondsmen should be prepared to answer calls 24/7 since arrests can take place at any time. When you call them, ask them any questions you may have and be sure to specifically ask for their insurance and licensing information. A reputable bondsman should not only be willing to answer general questions, but to happily provide their information and qualifications as well.
Take your time.
Obtaining a bail bond is a big responsibility that could potentially lead to greater problems down the road if you choose the wrong bondsman. Take some time to consider your options and don’t feel pressured to rush into any decisions.
