Written by our Subject Matter Experts, Updated on September 26, 2019
Are you looking for a bail bond in Alabama or information on bail? We have a list of the most trusted bail bonds companies in Alabama so you can get in touch with a nearby licensed bondsman. Our bail experts also answer many important questions on how bail bonds work in Alabama and how much bail bonds cost.
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- How do bail bonds work in Alabama?
- How much is bail in Alabama?
- Find a bail bondsman near you in Alabama
How do bail bonds work in Alabama?
Upon arrest anywhere in the state of Alabama, a person must be processed at the local county jail. In order to be released from jail, several steps must occur, including being booked and posting bail. To better understand how bail bonds work in Alabama, it’s important to know what bail options you have at your disposal.
Alabama uses a bail schedule with pre-defined bail amounts for common offenses. This speeds up the process to get out of jail as you don’t have to wait for the judge to determine every bail amount set. Once the bail amount is confirmed, you can use a variety of options to be released from jail. A bail bond is the most common method of release in Alabama. The bail bondsman can post the bond at the local Alabama jail. Now the release procedure begins and typically can take anywhere from 1-2 hours to be completed.
Although cash bonds are permitted, the are not commonly used due to the high up-front expense. You will get your entire bail payment back when using cash, but you need to come up with the entire bail amount right away, and the cash won’t be returned until after the trial.
Alabama’s court system can also release you on Own Recognizance (OR) which is typically used on smaller crimes committed and the judge finds you low risk and has strong confidence that you will show up to court. The final option for jail release is on a Property Bond. You will need personal property or land/home value that’s equal or greater than the bail amount. If you don’t show up to court or violate your release terms, the Alabama court will issue a warrant for your arrest and can take over your property.
Alabama Bail Bonds agents can aid you with all your surety needs:
- Alabama Property Bail Bonds
- Alabama Immigration Bail Bonds
- Alabama Surety Bail Bonds
How much is bail in Alabama?
There is a required 10% bail bond fee to obtain a surety bond from a bail bondsman, but you can always go the route of using your own money or borrowing from someone else to avoid paying this fee. You should seek out the most reputable bail bondsman since the 10% bail fee will be the same across all companies in Alabama.
Misdemeanors charges in Alabama come with a bail amount of $300 to $7,500. Most charges are around $300-$1,000 but a Class A Misdemeanor in Alabama can be as high as $6,000 and a DUI in Alabama can have bail set from $1,000 to $7,500. The bail bond fee you will pay will be 10% of this amount.
Remember to carefully review the terms of the agreement to ensure it’s fair. Some bail bondsmen may put in extra restrictions that others may not – like not being allowed to leave the state, having to wear a tracking device, or having more frequent check-ins compared to another bondsman.
Bail Bonds Near You in Alabama
Search for Alabama bail bonds companies via our form above; please make sure to enter the city AND state.
You can also check our city pages for a nearby Alabama bondsman.
Our Team of Subject Matter Experts
We dedicate ourselves to providing information that is accurate and expertly written in order to assist individuals through a difficult time. Our staff at Bail Bonds Network is highly educated, having obtained prestigious degrees in law, business, accounting, and finance. Our editorial staff includes professional lawyers, bail bondsmen, and lending experts who understand local jurisdictions and intricacies of legal matters dealing with bail bonds.An award-winning criminal defense attorney. He previously served as a state and federal prosecutor and magistrate, making his content contributions extremely relevant on legal and bail related topics.