A bail bond is a bond provided by an insurance company through a bail bondsman acting as agent for the company, to allow an accused defendant to be released before trial. A bail bond is designed to ensure the appearance of the defendant in court at the scheduled time. Prior to the posting of a bail bond, the defendant or a co-signer must guarantee that they will pay the full amount of bail if the defendant does not appear in court. The bail bond company usually charges 10 percent of the amount of the bond and often requires the defendant to put up some collateral like a seconded of trust or mortgage on one's house.
When the case is concluded, the bail bond is "exonerated" and returned to the insurance company. If the defendant disappears and fails to appearing court (skips bail), the bond money will be forfeited unless the defendants found and returned. The bond may be forfeited, by order of the court, upon the partys failure to appear or to comply with the conditions of the bond. If the defendant is located and arrested by the bail agent the cosigner is responsible for all expenses the bail agent incurs while looking for the defendant.
Michigan Bail Bond Agreement is a legal contract between a bail agency and an individual who has been arrested and wishes to secure temporary release from custody while awaiting trial. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the bail bond, ensuring the defendant's compliance with specific obligations throughout the legal process. The purpose of a bail bond agreement is to provide financial security to the court for the defendant's appearance in court proceedings. One type of Michigan Bail Bond Agreement is the cash bond agreement. In this type of arrangement, the defendant or their family members pay the entire bail amount upfront in cash directly to the court. Once the case concludes, and the defendant has fulfilled their court obligations, the full bail amount is returned, excluding any court fees or fines. Another type of Michigan Bail Bond Agreement is the surety bond agreement. In this case, a bail bondsman or a bail agency acts as a guarantee, pledging to pay the full bail amount if the defendant fails to appear in court. The defendant or their family members pay a non-refundable premium, usually a percentage of the total bond amount, to the bail bondsman. Additionally, there is the property bond agreement, where a defendant can secure their release by using real estate as collateral. The value of the property must be at least equal to the bail amount set by the court. If the defendant fails to comply with the bail conditions, the court can initiate foreclosure proceedings to recover the bail amount. Michigan Bail Bond Agreements typically include the following key elements: 1. Identification of the parties involved: The agreement outlines the names and contact information of the defendant, the bail agency, and any cosigners or guarantors. 2. Bail amount: The agreement specifies the total bail amount set by the court that needs to be paid to secure the defendant's release. 3. Premium and fees: In the case of surety bond agreements, the agreement outlines the premium (percentage of the bail amount) charged by the bail bondsman. It may also include additional fees for administrative costs and services provided. 4. Obligations and conditions: The agreement lists the conditions the defendant must adhere to while out on bail, such as appearing at all court hearings, refraining from engaging in criminal activities, and complying with any restrictions imposed by the court. 5. Forfeiture provisions: The agreement explains the consequences if the defendant fails to comply with the bail conditions, such as the forfeiture of the bail amount and the potential seizure of collateral. 6. Indemnification: The agreement may include a clause where the defendant or cosigners indemnify the bail agency against any expenses or losses incurred due to the defendant's non-compliance. 7. Release and surrender: The agreement specifies the process for the release of the defendant from custody upon fulfilling the bail requirements. It also outlines the procedure for surrendering the defendant if they fail to appear in court. In summary, a Michigan Bail Bond Agreement is a legal contract that outlines the terms and conditions of a bail bond arrangement, ensuring a defendant's temporary release from custody pending trial. Different types of agreements include the cash bond agreement, surety bond agreement, and property bond agreement, each involving specific arrangements for securing the bail amount.