We let everybody know that you have a right to post a cash bond for the full amount to the courts. Most people, however, don't have a lot of cash laying around, especially if the Defendant (the person arrested) was arrested at night, or on the weekends, when banks are closed. If you find yourself not able to post a cash bond, don't worry! The majority of cases can also have a surety bond posted, which is where you would call us! With a surety bond, you would pay us 10-20% of the bond amount. Once that is paid, and the accompanying paperwork is signed, the Defendant would be released from the jail. Keep in mind that the percentage, referred to as a "premium" is not refundable. It is earned by the bail company as soon as it is posted, even if the case is dismissed later.
In North Dakota, the biggest reason a lot of people go through a bail bonds company instead of posting a cash bond, is because if a cash bond is posted, and the Defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty, they take the cash that was used for the bond and apply it towards the fines and fees and most of the time, nothing is returned. By going through a bail bond company, the Defendant is responsible for their own fines and fees and can set up a payment plan with the court if they are found guilty or plead guilty.
There are 3 classifications of Surety Bonds with 10-Minute Bail Bonds that you should be aware of.
If a Defendant calls us from the jail, we let them know of the 3 options they have regarding using us for their bond. The first is a "FULL COLLATERAL BOND", the second is a "CO-SIGNER BOND" and the third is a "CO-SIGNER PARTIALLY SECURED BOND". Details of these bond classifications are below:
FULL COLLATERAL BONDS: If an agent advises you that a bond is "full collateral" that means that either the Defendant doesn't have a qualified co-signer, has limited address/employment in the Williston area, or has a previous record of failing to appear for court. In this situation, we would be required to take the full amount of the bond, plus the bail bond "premium" either by cash, credit or debit card. No checks or money orders are allowed. When the case is closed, providing the Defendant has made all required court appearances, the bond amount is refunded back, leaving only the "premium" charge.
EXAMPLE: A bond is set at $5,000.00. We would collect the full amount of the bond, plus the 20% premium, which is $1,000.00, for a total of $6,000.00. After the case is closed as described above, the $5,000.00 would be refunded, leaving only the premium charged. Remember, you can use a credit or debit card as well.
CO-SIGNER BONDS: If an agent advises you that a bond requires only a co-signer (or co-signers) that means that we will post the bond for only the premium and obtain a signature (or signatures) from one or more qualified co-signer(s) that have proven income, and employment and/or residence history.
EXAMPLE: A bond is set at $5,000.00. We would collect the 20% premium ($1,000.00), as well as an application from both the Defendant and any co-signer(s). After the case is closed as described above, no further payments would be owed by the Defendant or the co-signer(s).
CO-SIGNER PARTIALLY SECURED BONDS: If an agent advises you that a bond requires a co-signer and partial security, that means that the co-signer may not be fully qualified for the full bond amount, and we will require both the co-signer's information plus part collateral to be held until the case is closed as described above.
EXAMPLE: A bond is set at $5,000.00. We would collect the premium, ($1,000.00) as well as an application from both the Defendant and co-signer, and a sum between 5% and 95% of the amount of the bond, to be held until the case is closed and the Defendant has made all court hearings as described above, which can be paid by cash, credit or debit card.
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