Written by our Subject Matter Experts, Updated on September 25, 2019
Are you looking for information on Virginia bail bonds? Bail Bonds Network helps you locate and contact a licensed bail bonds agent in Virginia. Our bail experts also answer many important questions on how bail bonds work in Virginia and how much bail bonds cost.
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- How do bail bonds work in Virginia?
- How much is bail in Virginia?
- Find a bail bondsman near you in Virginia
How do bail bonds work in Virginia?
To get an idea of how the bail bond process works in Virginia, we should start with what happens upon arrest anywhere in the state of Virginia. A person is usually processed at the local county jail. If you committed a minor offense and don’t have a prior track record of being a flight risk or danger to others, the court may decide to release you from jail through a process called ‘Own Recognizance,’ which is essentially a written promise by you that assures the court you will attend all court dates.
If you are not given the option for release via Own Recognizance in Virginia, in order to be released from jail, several steps must occur, including being booked and posting bail. Once the bail amount is decided, a bail bond agent can be hired to post bail at the local jail. Now the jail release process begins and typically takes anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to be completed.
In Virginia, you also have the option to come up with the full bail amount if you want to avoid using a bail bondsman and the 10-15% fee that comes with their service. The full bail amount can be posted via cash, personal property, or real estate (land or home) in accordance to § 19.2-123 of the Code of Virginia. The value of the property must be equal or greater to the bail amount. Once there is a final disposition in court, you will be refunded the entire bail amount.
The reality is that most people can’t come up with the full bail amount in cash or via property, or they are bailing someone else out and don’t have complete trust to risk the entire bail amount by using their own valuables as collateral. In such cases, using a bail bondsman in Virginia makes a lot of sense.
Virginia bail bond agents can bail you, or your loved one, out anytime in Virginia. Most bail bonds companies work 24/7 and will come pick you up discreetly. Installment payment plans are often available depending on case by case basis.
Virginia Bail Bonds agents can help you with all your bail needs:
- Virginia Immigration Bail Bonds
- Virginia Property Bail Bonds
- Virginia Surety Bail Bonds
How much is bail in Virginia?
Virginia has a set 10% minimum and a max of no more than 15% bail bond fee structure for all surety bonds. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is solely responsible for upholding this fee structure and enforces the laws around bail costs.
There is no negotiation on the 10-15% fee range as it’s set by the state. Any bail bondsman that does not follow the cost structure is in violation of the Virginia regulations and should not be used.
With the cost being set at 10-15% in Virginia you know that calling a few bondsman could pay off as you want to get as close to 10% as possible. It’s vital that you confirm exactly what rules each bondsman will have in place upon your release.
Are there any other contractual rules outside of bail bond fees? For example, requirements on tracking devices, check-ins, travel rules outside of the state of Virginia and any drug or alcohol tests. While these bail bond stipulations are not actual direct money costs, they do take up your time from school and work and increase your risk of not meeting your release obligations.
Bail Bonds Near You in Virginia
Search for additional Virginia 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 Virginia 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.
