Bail Bonds North Carolina

Step 1: Arrest and Booking

Once an individual is arrested, they are taken to jail for booking, where their personal information is recorded, and they are fingerprinted. During the booking process, the charges against them will be reviewed, and their eligibility for bail will be determined.

Step 2: Bail Hearing

The defendant will be given a bail hearing, typically within 48 hours of their arrest. At this hearing, a judge will determine whether bail will be granted, and if so, how much the bail amount will be. Factors like the severity of the charges, the defendant’s criminal history, and their risk of flight are considered when setting bail.

Step 3: Posting Bail

Once the bail amount is set, the defendant or their family will need to post bail to secure their release. This can be done through cash bail, a surety bond via a bail bondsman, or a property bond. The bail bondsman will charge a fee (usually 10%) of the total bail amount for a surety bond.

Step 4: Defendant's Release

Once bail is posted, the defendant will be released from jail. This typically happens after processing the payment and completing all necessary paperwork. The defendant must attend all court hearings and comply with any additional conditions set by the judge, such as restrictions on travel or contact with victims.

Step 5: Court Appearances

The defendant is required to attend all scheduled court hearings. If they fail to appear, the bail may be forfeited, and a bench warrant may be issued for their arrest. If a bail bondsman posted the bail, the bondsman may pursue the defendant to recover the full amount of the bond.

Step 6: Case Resolution and Bail Return

At the conclusion of the case, if the defendant has attended all required court hearings, the bail will be refunded to the person who posted it, minus any administrative fees. However, the fee paid to a bail bondsman is non-refundable, as it is considered the bondsman’s fee for providing the service.

‍