When a loved one is arrested, the priority becomes getting that person out of jail quickly. However, rather than going with the first options to get bail bond in Schenectady NY, it can be worthwhile to investigate all the options.
Find the best solutions for bail and bond by looking for bail bondsmen with good reputations and the flexibility to work with each defendant and their loved ones on a personalized basis. This can help minimize upfront costs, while still ensuring a defendant’s timely release.
Are Fees Negotiable?
In New York, the fees paid for bail bonds are not negotiable. Instead, bail bond fees are set by a legal schedule, and bondsmen do not have the discretion to lower fees or set higher fees for certain individuals. This means that the fee for the bond will be the same percentage of the bail bond amount at any bail agent. Bail bondsmen can, however, decline to write a bond for a defendant that they consider high-risk, so not all bail bondsmen will work with all defendants.
Is Collateral Negotiable?
In addition to upfront fees, a court or a bondsman may require someone to provide collateral to secure a bond. Collateral may be negotiable. In some instances, a court will set the amount of the collateral. That collateral is non-negotiable, at least in interactions with the bail bondsman. In other instances, the court may not order collateral or may not order a specific amount of collateral. In those instances, it may be possible to negotiate the amount of collateral with a bail bondsman.
Judge’s Approval
It is important to keep in mind that, while the bond agreement is between the person paying the bond and the bail bondsman, the court has to approve the bond. Therefore, bail bond in Schenectady NY has to be designed to secure a defendant’s appearance at trial. If the bond does not do so, it will not survive review by the judge. If a bond is rejected, the process has to be restarted, which is why bail bondsmen will structure bond agreements they think the court will approve.
