Being arrested and taken into custody is definitely a scary experience, especially if it is your first time. The whole process can be overwhelming, confusing, and stressful, particularly when you’re not familiar with the bail bond industry. If you are in need of a bail bond, you might be surprised to learn that there are different types of bail bonds, which can create even more confusion. Two of the most common types of bail bonds are criminal bail bonds and regular bail bonds. Today's blog will guide you through some of the differences between these two types of bail bonds.

Definition of Bail Bonds

Bail bonds are payments made to allow a defendant to be released from jail while awaiting trial. It is an agreement between a defendant, the court, and a bail bond agent or company to pay a certain amount of money as collateral to ensure that the defendant appears in court. Failure to show up in court can result in the forfeiture of the bond.

Criminal Bail Bonds

Criminal bail bonds are used to obtain the release of a defendant accused of a criminal offense. These bonds typically come with a price tag, with the amount of money required for the release of the defendant determined by the nature of the crime committed. Criminal bail bonds are further divided into felony bonds and misdemeanor bonds.

  • Felony Bonds: Felony bonds are for cases in which the accused person is charged with a more serious offense, such as sexual assault, murder, or drug trafficking.
  • Misdemeanor Bonds: Misdemeanor bonds are for defendants accused of less serious offenses, such as petty theft, disorderly conduct, or vandalism. 

Regular Bail Bonds

Regular bail bonds are used for cases that do not involve criminal charges, such as traffic violations, civil cases, or immigration bonds. A person can use regular bail bonds to obtain their release from custody while awaiting trial as long as they have not been charged with a criminal offense. Usually, the percentage charged for these bonds is less because they involve less risk for the bail bond agent.

Criminal bail bonds and regular bail bonds are designed to help individuals who have been arrested and detained in jail while awaiting trial to be released. However, the major difference between the two types of bail bonds is that criminal bail bonds are primarily used for defendants facing criminal charges. Regular bail bonds are intended for defendants who are detained for issues such as immigration, traffic violations, or civil cases. It is important to note that both types of bail bonds involve different processes and requirements, so it is crucial to hire an experienced and trustworthy bail bond agent or company to guide you through the process.

For more information about the difference between criminal bail bonds and regular bail bonds, reach out to a local service.

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