For the most part, bailing someone out of jail using a bail bond company is a pretty straightforward process; so much so, you could even do it over the phone using a credit card in some cases. However, there's certain information the bail bond company will need to do its job. Be prepared to provide these three pieces of information when you contact a bail bondsman to get yourself or loved one out of jail.
Where the Person is Being Held
The first piece of information you need to know is where the person is being held. You'll need the city, state, and the name of the jail. Once the bail bond company receives payment from you and, in turn, takes care of the court bail requirements, it will call the jail and let the people know the individual's bail has been paid, so the person can be released.
However, you also need to know where the person is being held to ensure you call the right bail bond company. Bail bondsmen are only licensed to operate in their states. If the person is being held in another state, you'll need to call a bond company in that state to handle the transaction.
The Booking Number
The other thing you'll need is the booking number. This ensures the bail bond company makes the payment for the right person. The person in jail may not have the information, so you'll have to get it from the jail administrator or the police department. Be prepared to have the person's full name, address, and date of birth when calling to get this information as it will help the law enforcement officer identify the right records.
If, for some reason, you can't get the information from the jail, you can also look it up online. Most jurisdictions have websites where you can lookup inmate records. Use Google to find the site of the place where the person is being and enter the required information (usually the person's name and birth date). That should return the individual's booking and/or case number.
The Bail Amount
The last bit of information you'll need is the bail amount. Actually, this may not be as necessary as the other pieces of information because the bail bondsman can get it from the jail. However, you may want to find out so you'll know how much you'll have to pay the bail bond company. Generally, you'll be charged a fee equal to 10 percent of the bail amount. Knowing how much bail is required can help you gather the right amount of money before you call the bondsman.
For help getting yourself or someone you care about out of jail, contact a bail bond company.
