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Felony Bail Bonds
For many defendants, a felony charge is a major hindrance in life. The jail time for proven felony charges starts from 5 years to a lifetime. Defendants who wait in jail will even spend more time before their first trial or hearing. Lawyer costs for felony charges can also reach as high as $100,000.
If you’re arrested for a felony charge and were granted the opportunity to post bail, you should apply for a felony bail bond immediately. The felony bail bond is a better option compared to high-interest personal loans and uncertain jail time.
What is A Felony Bail Bond?
A felony bail bond is an official surety bond that covers the bail amount of a defendant. An agent known as the bail bondsman handles the processing of the bond and finalizes it in court.
While surety felony bail bonds are the most common bail bonds in Connecticut, some companies also release cash bonds. Many cash bonds have affordable rates and quicker release periods.
Understanding how felony bail bonds work will help you adjust your budget ahead of time. More importantly, knowing that you can get a bond for a felony crime will reduce your stress and anxiety.
The Types of Felony
Felony is a major umbrella term for the most serious felony crimes that can be committed by anyone. A felony case is worse than a misdemeanor, and it is often classified into varying degrees.
First-degree felony (murder, rape, arson, kidnapping, and counts of fraud)
Second-degree felony (manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of illegal stuff)
Third-degree felony (minor assault, battery, DUI, physical abuse)
Fourth-degree felony (burglary, larceny, involuntary manslaughter)
The bail amount for every degree of felony is different. It also depends on the judge’s case analysis and other pieces of evidence. For lower degrees, the amount range is $200-5,000. Higher degrees, on the other hand, can reach $200,000 or even higher. Felony charges are also known for their long trial periods and lots of interrelated processes.
The Factors Affecting A Felony Bail Bond’s Amount
There’s no single factor that can change a felony bail amount. Rather, the bond amount is affected by a combination of multiple factors. As a defendant, understanding these factors will manage your expectations regarding the seriousness of felony charges.
The Felony Degree
Each felony degree has a different amount of bail bond. A first-degree felony is more expensive than a third or fourth degree. First-degree felonies can set back defendants by as much as $25,000. The amount can go up or down depending on fees and discounts.
Always consult a bail agent if you need clarifications about felony degrees. Very likely, the agent will analyze the breadth of your felony case before finalizing the bail bond.
The Defendant’s Reputation
If you have a spotless reputation, the bail bond company will offer a surety bond with competitive terms. You might benefit from lower weekly or monthly rates, and the bail agent might waive the initial deposit fee.
Your criminal record can also determine the leniency of a bail bondsman. If you’re a good example in the community, you have a better chance of getting a low-rate felony bond.
Specific Bail Bond Fees
A bail bond company makes profits through bail bond fees. Before signing a bond form, make sure that you understand all of the fees indicated in the agreement. As a rule of thumb, you have to pay 8-10% of the full bail amount in the deposit. The rest of the amount will be covered in the bail company’s payment cycles.
If you don’t have the money for a deposit, just inform the bail bondsman. In some situations, the bail agent might waive off the deposit fee and adjust your repayment terms accordingly.
Limited Site Discounts
It’s easy to get a discount from a bail company’s website. You just have to check the homepage and find buttons for bond discounts. Modern websites also have chat pop-ups that will take you directly to a site representative. Just talk to the representative and ask for felony bond services, rates, and discounts.
Discounts can lower the full amount of the bail bond by as much as 3% or 5%. These discounts, however, are limited and not offered consistently.
Extra Court Fees
The small court fees indicated by the judge usually add up. For a felony case, the court fees can reach as high as $300. The amount also depends on the services required by the defendant.
Most courts require defendants to settle the initial fees before any action can be made. Based on this limitation, defendants usually have many financial burdens to settle – from regular fees to the actual bail amount. A bail bond can cut a defendant’s financial burden by more than 50%.
The Next Things to Do After Your Arrest for Felony
A felony conviction is naturally stressful for any individual. Even though the police officers might feel intimidating, they are actually just doing their jobs. The typical felony booking process involves information gathering and crime recording.
Throughout the procedure, you have the option to contact a lawyer or a family member. You might also get detained first before the scheduled arraignment.
Contact A Bail Bond Agent
If you can contact a bail agent while being booked for a felony, you will save time later. More importantly, you won’t have to spend a long time in detention. Finding a bail bondsman in Connecticut is easy. You can visit a bail bondsman directory or follow some keywords in a search engine.
Social media is also an excellent platform where you can find bail bond agents. Most bail companies have Facebook pages that you can reach out to.
Prepare Your Important Documents
Personal documents are needed for bail bond application and general court proceedings. However, bail bond companies have application forms that you can use. An application form simply requires your personal details and signature.
Once you’ve met your bail agent, you can show the required personal documents. These can be photocopies of your ID and employment certification. Some agents might require tax identification numbers and business-related forms.
Negotiate for Bond Terms and Payment Methods
While some bail companies have permanent terms and rates, most of them are open for negotiation. Just discuss your case with the bail bondsman and you might receive discounts or improved terms. You can also ask for a different payment method.
Negotiation can be done online, but the result is better in person. Your demeanor will also matter during the negotiation process. Always respect the bail agent!
Follow the Conditions Set by the Court
Fulfilling the bail bond for your felony charge is just the beginning. After the court has guaranteed your temporary release, you must follow the court orders and attend the next hearings. Failure to comply will lead to additional punishments and a new charge.
National Bonding Company’s bail agents will always remind you if a court date is approaching. Our company believes that proper coordination between bail bondsmen and defendants is a crucial component of the bail process. If you have questions or concerns regarding court schedules, simply coordinate with National Bonding Company’s Connecticut bail agent.
Posting Bail or Not Posting Bail
According to state law, you have the right to post or not to post bail. If you opt to avoid bail, you have to stay in jail for an indefinite period of time. The waiting time can be weeks, months, or even years if the court is busy. There’s also a small chance that you can be released based on personal recognizance, but this can only happen with low-degree felony crimes.
Posting bail is always a beneficial choice because you can earn your temporary freedom and get your life in order. It’s like having a second chance to sort your mistakes and plan for your next court hearing strategy. Even if you don’t have the money to pay for bail, you can always rely on the services offered by a bail bond company.
FAST, AFFORDABLE, & EASY
National Bonding Company – A Trusted Source of Felony Bail Bonds in CT!
We believe that a felony charge shouldn’t be a major thorn in your life. Here at National Bonding Company, we intend to offer low-rate felony bail bonds to help you and your loved ones. Our team of skilled bail bond agents is always ready to handle your concerns and get you out of prison as soon as possible.
Get your next bond for felony crimes from National Bonding Company today!