If you have a loved one who faces criminal charges or who was recently arrested, you may already know that bail is an option. If granted bail, the defendant can be released as soon as the required amount is paid to the courts. Before you pay your loved one’s bail, it is important to know the facts. Here are some lesser-known facts about bail.

Paying Bail Alone Can Backfire

Even if you have the cash in savings to pay the full amount of bail, you may want to reconsider it. If the defendant attends his or her court date, then you will receive your money back. However, you don’t know when that date will be. It can be a lengthy process. Most people do not think about bail as a long-term investment. If you pay upfront and need the money later, you’re out of luck until the court case resolves. This is why most people choose to find a local bail bondsman.

Appearing in Court May Not Be the Only Conditions

In some cases, when a defendant gets out of jail on bail, all that he or she has to do is attend the court date. You need to consider that that might not be the only condition that the court has. The defendant may have to attend several court dates and may even have an alcohol or drug program to attend. If you sign a bail bond, you have to keep in mind that the defendant needs to follow all of the requirements. The bail has to be paid until the case resolves entirely.

Bail bonds can be the best way to help your loved one get out of jail. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths that surround bail. It’s better to have all of the information beforehand to ensure that you don’t make any mistakes that could backfire later.