La Plata, MD
(301) 932-BAIL
(301) 934-2737

How Bail Works
When an individual is arrested for a crime, typically that person will be taken to a local law enforcement station for booking, prior to incarceration in a station lock-up or county jail. Once arrested and booked, the defendant has several options for release pending the conclusion of his or her case.

Who Sets Bail Amount?
A judge or magistrate normally sets the Bail amount for a particular case according to a county Bail Schedule and the particulars of a case. The Bail Schedule itself is usually set annually by a majority vote of superior, municipal, and other judges.

The Bail Agent's Role
The bail agent guarantees to the court that the defendant will appear in court each and every time the judge requires them to. For this service, the defendant is charged a percentage of the bail amount.

The Family or Friend's Role
Typically, a family member or a close friend of the defendant will post bail and cosign and guarantee that they will pay the full amount of bail if the defendant does not 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. Cosigners typically need to be working and either own or rent a home in the same area for some time.

News that a friend or relative has been arrested is an embarrassing and sometimes traumatic experience. You can rely on O'Neal Bail Bonds to get you through the bail process, emotionally and financially. Trust us to guide you step-by-step to overcome the confusing jail system. We’ll make it easier for you to pay for the bail bonds services you’ll need.