Bail is often framed as “helping someone out.” That framing causes problems. Cosigning bail is a BIG deal.
When someone is released on bail, they are entering into a legal agreement with the court. That agreement carries expectations that must be met consistently until the case is resolved.
This means:
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Court dates are mandatory
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Conditions must be followed
- Premium must be paid
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Communication matters
When you cosign on a bond, you are voluntarily agreeing to pay the face amount of the bond if the defendant fails to appear and cannot be located and apprehended by the final judgment date (around 5 months from the missed court date). That means if you cosign on a $1000 bond, you need to have $1000 to pull out of the bank if Johnny moves out of state to take a new job. If you cosign on a $100,000 bond, you need to be able to liquidate your retirement account or sell your house to come up with that money if necessary.
When bail is treated casually, consequences follow quickly. This isn’t a game, and we don’t play. We never want to do this, but we will sue you if a bond needs to be paid. We will also consider pursuing criminal prosecution if you obtained the bond under false pretenses. Fraud will not be tolerated.
When bail commitments are treated responsibly, people are able to remain with their families, keep their jobs, and navigate the legal process more effectively.
Our job is to make sure everyone involved understands that bail is not about shortcuts. It’s about accountability.
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