When someone is arrested in Ohio, they have the option of remaining in jail or going out on bail. Bail is a commitment to provide sufficient security for the appearance of the accused, and it is usually paid by a guarantor to the State. In Ohio, a bail bond agent charges a premium of 10% of the total amount of the bond. Once the premium has been paid, the guarantor will deposit the full amount of the bond and the defendant will be released from jail. The bail bond agent will then go to court to pay the bond on behalf of the defendant.
This is done by informing the court that they guarantee that the defendant will show up for all procedures related to their case. If the defendant does not show up, then the company will pay the full amount of the bond. In addition, a power of attorney must be granted that expressly allows for an immigration bond. All bail bonds presented to court or to an arrested person's custodian must be accompanied by a current and valid power of attorney. A bail bond agent cannot receive any valuable consideration for referring someone to request title filing services, notaries, or liens. Furthermore, a bail bond agent cannot provide title, notary, or lien filing services directly or indirectly to a customer or defendant in exchange for a fee.
They are also not allowed to file more than one power of attorney for a single bond, charge or charges assigned by an appropriate jurisdiction court. Bail is essentially a contract between the state and the defendant and their guarantors. No bond agent shall be employed, hired, or act as an agent or share in the property of any person or business entity that lends money or accepts a guarantee for the loan of money for the purpose of placing a cash bond or bond on behalf of the defendant. If a person has a cash bond or bond, they can choose between paying the full amount of the bond to court (cash bond) or hiring and paying a bondsman to publish an insurance policy (security bond) that guarantees their appearance in court. State laws regulate bond companies and in Ohio they are not allowed to charge more than 10% premium which applies to full amount of the bond. Bail amounts can vary widely depending on severity of charges so obtaining a bond can be quite expensive. It is important to understand how bail bonds work in Ohio before making any decisions.
