If you are searching for a career that is interesting, requires problem solving, and interacts with people on a regular basis, then you might be interested in becoming a bail bondsman. However, it is important to understand that there are some risks associated with this type of employment, as with any position, although this line of work can be deemed to be more dangerous in general.
What is a Bail Bondsman?
When someone is arrested, he will go before a judge to determine what the bail will be. If it is a first minor offense, a judge may let the person bail out “on their own recognizance”, meaning that the judge does not think the person is a flight risk. When someone is arrested for a major crime, or is a repeat offender, the judge will set a bail, or monetary amount, required to release that person from jail. This amount can range from a few hundred dollars to millions of dollars, and in many cases, the arrested person cannot pay the full amount. The family of the arrested can go to a bail bondsman to secure the full amount of the bond, in exchange for which the arrested can be released. However, the bond agent will charge between 10% and 15% of the total bond amount as their fee for posting bail.
How can I become a Bail Bondsman?
In most states there are licensing laws regarding bond agents. Someone who wants to become a bond agent needs to take classes and pass a state exam to obtain licensing to work as a bail bondsman. In most cases you need to be at least 18 years old, have a GED or high school diploma, have enough money to start your bonds agent business with, and have the backing of a surety agent. Although not required, many modern bail bondsman obtain higher degrees of education, including Masters degrees, to ensure success in their chosen professional field.
What are the Pros/Cons of becoming a Bond Agent?
Although they may be depicted differently on TV, bail bondsman serve a unique purpose in society. They help ensure that defendants will show up to trial, and they help people get released from jail so that they can prepare a strong defense for themselves. Unfortunately, not everyone who is arrested is guilty of a crime, and it is important that they have access to resources to help their case, rather than staying in jail to possibly serve a sentence they are not guilty of committing. It can be a very lucrative job, but it certainly can be a difficult one. When someone does not show up to court, the bail bondsman loses the bail money that they posted for the defendant, and that is when they need to search for the defendant. This can be the most dangerous part of their job when the defendants are trying to escape being found.
Who is best suited to the Bail Bondsman Life?
Someone who loves adventure, who is great with money, and is willing to do what may be considered as “dirty work” in order to get the job done. While most people will appear for court dates, there are those who won’t and it will be your responsibility to find them if you want to get your investment returned. Having grit, determination and business savvy will make you a great bondsman.
Rodney Floyd is a professional bail bondsman with RODNEY OKC Bail Bonds in Norman, OK. Rodney is passionate about sharing information online through his blogs, on Facebook, and provides local bail bonds services in Norman, Oklahoma to the local community.