Most of the time, the bond at Atomic Bail Bonds will need a co-signer. Before you co-sign on a bail bond, you should know what it entails in being a co-signer, as well as the liabilities, risks, and requirements that come with co-signing.
What Does it Mean to Co-sign on a Bail Bond?
A bondsman will usually require the defendant to have one or more co-signers on the bond. For many bondsmen, the co-signer is just as important as the 10% bail bond premium that they will collect from the bond.
The reason a co-signer is so important is that they become an Indemnitor. An Indemnitor is someone who assumes the responsibility, the risk, and the potential costs related to apprehending the defendant if they fail to appear in court.
Who’s Allowed to Co-Sign on a Bail Bond?
Usually, the co-signer is somebody who is close to the defendant. It could be relatives, close friends, business partners, employers, or spouses. Some bondsmen are stricter than others when it comes to selecting a co-signer. Most bondsmen require that the co-signer have a full-time job or own real property in the same state as where the bond is being posted.
Application Requirements for Co-Signers
If you agree to co-sign on someone’s bond, you should always bring a driver’s license or valid identification.
Some other items that are often required from co-signers include:
- Proof of employment (usually 2 or more consecutive pay-stubs)
- Proof of ownership (not always required, but a deed to property or a vehicle title will help)
- Form of payment for the bail bond (cash, credit card, or any other arrangement)
- Collateral (only if any collateral was required or requested by the bail bondsman)
What is the Risk of Being a Co-Signer on a Bail Bond?
An Indemnitor assumes the risk associated with the bond and must later indemnify, or cover, the parties that lose out when a defendant doesn’t appear for court.
Indemnify means “to make whole again.” That means if a defendant skips court on a $5,000 bond, the co-signer, or Indemnitor, will have to make the courts “whole again” by paying the full bond amount of $5,000 on the defendant’s behalf. So being an Indemnitor should be taken very seriously. It is like being a co-signer on a house or car.
As a co-signer on a bail bond, you are assuming the risk that the court is taking by allowing the defendant to go free while awaiting trial. Because this can be a high level of risk, many bail bondsmen require reliable and responsible co-signers for each bond.
How Long is One a Co-Signer on a Bail Bond?
As a co-signer, your responsibility lasts for the entire court case. This includes any appeals of that case that also must be finished.
So, is a co-signer responsible for the defendant making all of their court dates, or just the first court date that is listed on the defendant’s release papers. A co-signer is responsible for the defendant’s appearance at all of the necessary dates until the case is completed, including any appeals.
Can a Co-Signer Be Removed From a Bail Bond?
In some cases, a co-signer can ask to be removed from a bail bond early if certain criteria are met or bond conditions are broken. The criteria are up to each particular bondsman.
Most bondsmen will require the co-signer to pay an early cancellation fee and will require the defendant to find a replacement co-signer of equal standing. A co-signer can also be required to pay for any bounty hunting fees that are accrued in the apprehension of the defendant.
Whether you are the co-signer, or need a co-signer, and you need a local bail bond company in any and all of Connecticut, that is going to answer their phone, represent you, get you out of jail, and walk you through the whole way in this stressful situation, then you want to contact Atomic Bail Bonds right now. There is no reason to wait any longer. You want to get out of jail. You need to get out of jail. There is a company that is on your side and ready to get you released ASAP.
