Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

Be Careful Who You Co-Sign a Bail Bond For

When you co-sign a bail bond, you are taking on significant legal and financial responsibility. It’s crucial to think carefully before signing your name to any bail bond agreement, as you are guaranteeing that the person will attend all court appearances. If they fail to do so, you may be held accountable for the full bail amount.

Things to Consider Before Co-Signing for a Bail Bond

Before you decide to co-sign for a bail bond, ask yourself the following questions:

• Have they ever skipped court before? If someone has a history of skipping court, it increases your risk significantly.
• Is this person reliable? Are they someone who typically follows through on their promises?
• How serious is the charge? The more serious the charge, the higher the stakes.
• Can they hold a job? Are they stable with employment, or do they move from one job to the next?
• Are they actually guilty, and how strong is their case? If there’s a high chance of conviction, their motivation to skip court may be stronger.
• Do they have a drug or alcohol problem? Substance abuse issues can impact their ability to make good decisions.
• Could they pay the full amount if necessary? If they were required to pay the full bail amount, would they be able to?

What Happens If They Skip Court?

If you co-sign for a bail bond and the defendant misses their court date, you are held legally responsible for the full bail amount. For example, if the bail is set at $10,000, and you paid a $1,000 non-refundable fee to the bail bondsman, you are still liable for the remaining $9,000 if they skip court.

Not only that, but the bail bondsman has the right to come after you for the money they put up to the court. This could mean:

• Receiving calls from the bondsman, collection agencies, or even attorneys
• Your friends and family may also be contacted if their information was listed
• Potential wage garnishment or legal action to recover the amount

Some bail bond contracts have fine print that allows bondsmen to take these steps, so it’s important to read the agreement thoroughly before signing.

Final Thoughts

Co-signing for a bail bond is a serious commitment. Make sure you trust the person you’re helping and that you’re prepared for the financial risk if things don’t go as planned. If you have any doubts, it might be best to reconsider before signing your name.