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Bail Bondsman FAQ’s

If you have questions about the definition of bail, who is a bail bondsman, or how the process work, click one of the links below to jump down to the answer.

Q. What is a bail bond?

Q. Where can a bail bond be posted?

Q. Where can I get a bail bond from a bail bondsman?

Q. What hours are bail agencies open?

Q. How much does a bail bond cost with an ABC bail bondsman?

Q. Does an ABC bail bondsman offer payment plans?

Q. If I am out on bail already with an ABC bail bondsman or another agency and still owe money, will you post bail again for me or my family?

Q. Can I post a bail bond if the court sets a 10% option?

Q. When will the defendant be released from custody?

Q. How long is a bail bond from an ABC bail bondsman good for?

Q. Who is liable for the bail bond?

Q. What should you know when signing for a bail bond co-signer?

Q. What is a default judgment?

Q. Is the bail bond premium refundable?


Q. What is a bail bond?
A. A bail bond (surety bond) is a financial guarantee to the court that the defendant will appear in each and every court appearance as the court directs. Failure of the defendant to comply with the appearances of the court could result in warrants issued and bail bonds forfeited. The amount of bail increases due to the severity of the crime, as well as the court’s determination of the likelihood that the defendant might flee from prosecution.


Q. Where can a bail bond be posted?
A. A bail bond can be posted at most courts and jails around the country. Most jails accept bail bonds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 of the year.


Q. Where can I get a bail bond from a bail bondsman?
A. You can get a bail bond by calling us at 877-FAST-BAIL® (877-327-8224). A licensed bail agent will confidentially discuss your individual situation and assist with all of your bail bond needs. You can also initiate the bail process with via email service. (link)


Q. What hours are bail agencies open?
A. Because people are arrested both day and night, most bond agencies are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. ABC BAIL BONDS GOES A STEP FURTHER. WE HAVE A LIVE LICENSED AGENT ANSWERING PHONES AND POSTING BONDS 24/7/365. Please feel free to call us anytime at 877-327-8224. Or Click here for online contact form .


Q. How much does a bail bond cost with an ABC bail bondsman?
A. Most bail bond premiums are ten percent of the total bail amount. For example, if the full bail amount is $10,000.00, the premium (fee) for the bail bond is $1,000.00. These fees are established by the surety companies and regulated by the Department of Insurance. Our minimum premium charge is $100.00. For instance if your bond is $500.00, the premium (fee) for the bail bond will be $100.00.


Q. Does an ABC bail bondsman offer payment plans?
A. Yes. ABC offers easy, simple interest free payment plans. If necessary we will adapt a payment plan to fit your personal financial situation. We can offer low down payments if necessary. We will arrange weekly, bi-weekly or monthly payment plans to fit your needs.


Q. If I am out on bail already with an ABC bail bondsman or another agency and still owe money, will you post bail again for me or my family?
A. Yes, as long as you have the minimum down payment we will do another bond for you or your family.


Q. Can I post a bail bond if the court sets a 10% option?
A. Yes. We can help you if you do not have the full 10% that the court is asking for. We can arrange an interest free payment plan for the premium due, You must however remember two things: 1) The full amount of bail must be posted. (i.e., $10,000 bond posted when bail is set at $10,000 with 10% option) 2) The fee paid to ABC is non-refundable.


Q. When will the defendant be released from custody?
A. The time it takes for a defendant to be released from custody after a bail bond is posted varies widely. If the defendant is in police custody, he/she will be released in a very short time. If the defendant has been inserted into the general county population, it will take longer to process his/her release (generally it takes six to eight hours or longer for a busier institution)


Q. How long is a bail bond from an ABC bail bondsman good for?
A. An ABC BAIL BONDS bail bond is good until case disposition (dismissal, not guilty verdict, or sentencing). Beware, some other agencies have been known to charge a yearly bail premium on their contracts. This means if the case goes beyond the one year, the premium must be paid again in order to keep the bail bond current.


Q. Who is liable for the bail bond?
A. The co-signer is financially liable for the bail bond. The co-signer’s liability is limited to the full face value of the bail bond. Protect yourself and your family by following these few simple consumer tips when looking for bail bonds services.


Q. What should you know when signing for a bail bond co-signer?
A. It is the responsibility of the co-signer to see that the premium is paid and the defendant goes to court. Any expenses incurred in the transaction of a bail bond, such as court imposed costs relating to bail bond forfeiture and legal costs relating to bond forfeiture may be paid by the co-signer to the bail agent or insurance company.

In the event of failure to appear or bond forfeiture, the co-signer should make every effort to compel the defendant to surrender himself/herself to the bail company, police or court as soon as possible.


Q. What is a default judgment?
A. A default judgment is issued by the court following a bond forfeiture. This is a judgment against the surety for payment of the bond amount. The default judgment is issued because the deadline for reinstating the bond or returning the defendant to custody has passed.


Q. Is the bail bond premium refundable?
A. Once the bail bond is posted, liability is taken on the bail bond. At that point the bail bond premium is fully earned and is not refundable.

Our Office Locations
Headquarters
BUCKS COUNTY OFFICE / HQ
Address: 215 West Bridge Street
Morrisville, PA 19067
Toll Free: 877-797-2245
Local: 215-295-3100
Philadelphia County Courthouse
Philadelphia County Office
Address: 49 North 13th Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
Toll Free: 877-321-2245
Local: 215-569-9200
Montgomery Courthouse
Montgomery County Office
Address: 8 West Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
Toll Free: 877-333-2245
Local: 610-292-9900
Camden Courthouse
Camden County Office
Address: 434 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd
Camden, NJ 08103
Toll Free: 877-766-2245
Local: 856-225-9600
Columbia County Courthouse
Columbia County Office
Address: 326 East Fifth Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Toll Free: 877-327-8224
Local: 570-784-2722
Delaware County Courthouse
Delaware County Office
Address: 21 West 3rd Street
Media, PA 19063
Toll Free: 877-327-8224
Local: 610-358-3800
Berks County Courthouse
Berks County Office
Address: 10 North 6th Street
Reading, PA 19601
Toll Free: 800-736-2245
Local: 610-396-1000
Chester County Courthouse
Chester County Office
Address: 139 West Market Street, Unit A
West Chester, PA 19382
Toll Free: 877-327-8224
Local: 610-793-9500
Lackawanna County Courthouse
Lackawanna County Office
Address: 1329 Wyoming Ave, Unit B
Scranton, PA 18509
Toll Free: 877-327-8224
Local: 570-963-9630
Luzerne County Courthouse
Luzerne County Office
Address: 405 North River Street, Suite 1
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Toll Free: 877-327-8224
Local: 570-287-3900
York County Courthouse
York County Office
Address: 44 East Philadelphia Street
York, PA 17401
Toll Free: 877-327-8224
Local: 717-840-7373
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