Get Out of Jail Now: 5 Types of Bonds You Can Use for Your Bail

The last thing anyone accused of a crime wants is to have to stay in jail until their trial. Getting out, though, is usually going to require you to pay for the privilege. Below are five types of bonds you can use to get out of jail on bail. Cash Bonds If you're able to pay your way out, a cash bond might be the most efficient type of bond. Those who use these bonds simply pay their bail in cash and get their money back if they return to court on the appointed date. It's often hard to post a cash bond, though, as bail prices can be set punitively high in many cases. Bail Bonds Bail bonds, also known as surety bonds, are another common choice for posting bail. When you use a bail bond, a bond company pays bail for an individual in return for a fee. When you attend your court date, the bond company receives its bond back and keeps the initial fee. The fee varies from state to state and company to company, but it is usually about 10 to 15 percent of the total bond. You can find 24/7 bail bond companies to help you get out of jail no matter the time of day or night. Release on Citation This type of bond is simply a citation from the arresting officer. They will issue the citation with a court date, allowing the individual in question to go about their normal life without having to go to jail. However, failure to appear in court on the date listed on the citation will lead to a warrant being put out for the individual's arrest. Property Bonds In this case, the court will put a lien on an individual's property to ensure that they return to court. Generally put on possessions like cars or homes, your property can actually be repossessed if you do not return to court on the specified date. Property bonds are not common, but they may be used as a bond of last resort. Personal Recognizance With this type of bond, your word is literally your bond. The judge will remand you into your own custody, expecting you to return to court because of your promise. If you fail to do so, though, you'll end up being remanded to the custody of the court. This type of bond is really only used in cases where there is a very low chance of the individual failing to come back to court and if the crime you’re accused of was relatively minor. Each type of bond has its pros and cons for users. It's a good idea for you to consider them all and to know how they work just in case they become relevant to you or a family member. Knowing what to do in case of this eventuality can help ease the stress of the moment considerably.