Bail Bonds--How They Work

Georgia Professional Bail Bond License Requirements

1. Approval from the local sheriff. Contact them for pertinent information, policies and procedures to become a Bail Bondsman.

2. Register and attend Continuing Education Course offered by the Georgia Association of Professional Bondsmen.

Posting a bond. This process involves a contractual agreement between the bonding company and the defendant/individual arrested. The bonding company guarantees to the court that the defendant will appear, as required by the court.

For this service, the defendant is charged a percentage of the bail amount. Prior to being released the defendant or a disignated representative contacts the bonding company to arrange payment.

Prior to standing a bond, the defendant and co-signer guarantees to pay the full amount of the bond plus, penalties and interest, if the defendant fails to appear in court.

Collateral is not always required for a person to be bailed from jail. Often a person can be bailed from jail on the signature of a friend or family member.

Co-signers typically need to be working and/or own or rent a home in the local area for some time. We are looking for stability.

After an agreement is reached, the bonding company posts the bond, guaranteeing the defendant will appear in court.

If the defendant "fails to appear", the bonding company will be contacted and held responsible. In turn, the bonding company holds the co-signer responsible for the full amount of the bond and any additional cost incurred, by the bonding company in their efforts to locate the defendant. Normally, this leaves the co-signer "holding the bag".