1.  How long does it take to get out of jail?

The normal time frame is usually a half hour if it’s a police department. On the other hand, it takes considerably longer in a correction center.  We will do everything in our power to make it as convenient as possible for you.

2.  Why don’t I get my premium back?

It is a state law that you cannot be refunded on a bond. Our company puts up the full amount of the bond to the court and, in return, we collect a state regulated rate of 10% up to the first $5000, and 7% everything over that. This rate is regulated by the state of Connecticut.

3.  Can I do a surety bond myself?

The answer is yes. Contrary to what some might believe all surety bonds are also cash bonds, which gives the client the rights to post the whole bond in cash.  The state does not except credit cards nor do they except checks. Example: A $50,000 bond would be $3650 with a bondsman, but if you posted it yourself it would be $50,000 cash to the court or police dept. 

4.  When is collateral necessary?

You might need collateral when the person has multiple failures to appear, or if the person is from out of state. Also, if the defendant is not a citizen, we might also require some form of collateral. Collateral is taken depending on the risk of the bond.

5.  When do I get my collateral back?

Collateral is returned when the case is disposed of.  This means that court is all over, whether you win or lose. As long as all court dates are made collateral will be returned.

6.  What happens if a person does not appear in court as promised?

When a defendant doesn’t appear in court, the judge will issue a warrant for failure to appear, known as an (FTA), which is an entirely separate charge in the courts punishable up to 5 yrs in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. So the defendant should immediately contact his bondsman to try and fix the situation. Sometimes, there is still time to have that taken care of. If you, as a cosigner, feel that the defendant is not going to show up to court, please call your bondsman to take the appropriate steps.

7.  Who do I speak to about turning myself in?

Police stations are no longer giving out information to the Bondsmen, so the best action is to contact the police station and then contact us with information to calculate an approximation of your bond based on arrest history and current charges.

8.  Who regulates bail bond companies?

The Connecticut Department of Insurance monitors the down payments and payments of bonds, as well as if the customer is current with their payments, to ensure that there isn’t any rebating (charging less than the State required fee). They also regulate the actions of bondsmen to make sure that they are operating within the state insurance guidelines.

9.  What territories do you cover?

We cover the entire state of Connecticut, including all college campuses.

Unanswered questions?

Feel free to contact us with other questions by filling out the form on the Contact page, or by emailing us at info@affordabail.net.