Loved ones of many of our clients contact us when someone they care about has been arrested, and they don’t know how to bail someone out of jail. This guide explains the three main options available when you need to bail someone out of jail in Georgia.
How to Bail Someone Out of Jail: The Three Main Options
There are three basic ways to bail someone out of jail in Georgia:
- Property bond
- Cash bond
- Professional bonding company
Let’s examine each method of how to bail someone out of jail and the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Option 1: How to Bail Someone Out of Jail Using a Property Bond
A property bond allows you to use real property (like land or a home) as collateral to bail someone out of jail.
How property bonds work:
- The equity in your property must meet certain requirements based on the bond amount
- Each sheriff’s office has slightly different methods for calculating required equity
- Usually based on the tax assessor’s value minus any outstanding mortgages on the property
- Some jails require double the bond amount in equity
- Some require the bond amount plus an additional dollar amount
When a property bond makes sense:
- You have sufficient equity in your property
- You don’t mind having a lien on your property while the case is ongoing
- You’re not planning to sell the property anytime soon
Disadvantages to consider:
- It can take more time to gather the necessary paperwork
- There may be delays in processing compared to other methods
If you’re considering a property bond to bail someone out of jail, we recommend having a backup plan to avoid delays in securing their release.
Option 2: How to Bail Someone Out of Jail Using a Cash Bond
A cash bond requires you to pay the entire bond amount in cash directly to the jail.
How cash bonds work:
- You provide the full dollar amount of the bond in cash or money order
- Some jails accept credit cards, though this is less common
- The money remains with the court until the case concludes
- When the case ends, you generally receive all your money back except for a small jail fee (typically around $20)
When a cash bond makes sense:
- You have sufficient cash available
- You can afford to have that money tied up for the duration of the case
- You want to avoid paying non-refundable fees to a bonding company
Disadvantages to consider:
- Your money could be tied up for months or even years, depending on the case
- You’ll need the full bond amount immediately
Option 3: How to Bail Someone Out of Jail Using a Professional Bonding Company
A professional bonding company charges you a fee and posts the bond on your behalf.
How bonding companies work:
- The company typically charges 10-15% of the total bond amount as their fee
- They post the entire bond amount with the jail
- The fee you pay is non-refundable—this is how bonding companies make money
- Some bonding companies offer payment plans for their fee
When using a bonding company makes sense:
- You don’t have enough cash to cover the full bond
- You don’t have property with sufficient equity
- You don’t want to tie up a large sum of money during the case
- You need to bail someone out of jail quickly
- You’re unable to pay the full fee and need a payment plan
Disadvantages to consider:
- The fee (10-15% of bond amount) is never returned to you
- Some companies may require collateral in addition to their fee
How to Choose the Best Method to Bail Someone Out of Jail
When determining how to bail someone out of jail, consider these questions:
- For a property bond: Do I have enough equity in my property? Am I comfortable with a lien being placed on my property? Am I certain I won’t need to sell the property soon?
- For a cash bond: Do I have enough cash available to cover the entire bond? Can I afford to have this money unavailable until the case concludes, which could be months or years?
- For a bonding company: Am I willing to pay a non-refundable fee to avoid paying the full bond amount? Do I need a payment plan for the fee?
Getting Help When You Need to Bail Someone Out of Jail
If your loved one is in jail and you’re unsure how to bail them out, or if they’re being held without bond, professional legal assistance can help. At Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm, we help families navigate the bail process to get their loved ones released as quickly as possible.
We can assist you in:
- Understanding the specific requirements at your local jail
- Determining the best bond option for your situation
- Pursuing a bond hearing if your loved one is being held without bond
- Developing a strategy for the criminal case once your loved one is released
Contact our office for assistance in determining the best option to bail your loved one out of jail as quickly as possible.
This article provides general information about how to bail someone out of jail and is not specific legal advice for your case. If you need specific legal advice, please contact our office.
