When you have to post bail for someone, you need to understand how the process works. It is helpful to understand how the process works.

Contact a Bail Bond Agency

First, you need to contact a bail bond agency as soon as your friend has been processed. Once you know where your friend is being held, you have all the information you need to get the bail process started. It is best if you know your friend's full name as well as their date of birth.

Figure Out Who Will Cosign The Bond

After you contact the bail bond agency, you need to figure out who is going to cosign the bond. The person who cosigns the bond is saying that they will pay the full bond amount if their friend breaks bail. The person who cosigns the bond is also going to be expected to put down some money up front to basically cover the deposit for the bond.

Make Sure the Bond Agent Can Issue the Right Bond

Next, you need to make sure the bond agent can issue the right bond for whatever your friend was arrested for. In many states, there are restrictions on what bond agents can offer what type of bonds. Not all bond agents can issue bonds for all crimes, so make sure that the bond agent that you find will be able to issue a bond for the type of crime that your friend committed.

Check the Reputation for the Bond Agency

You should always keep an eye on the reputation of anyone who you work with, including the bond agency. Look online and try to see what people's experience is with working with that bond agency. You want to make sure you are working with a respected agency.

Make Sure You Have Collateral

You need to make sure you have some collateral as well. Most bond agencies will accept collateral instead of cash. See if your friend who you are helping out has anything that you can use as collateral. Many bail bond agencies will accept items such as televisions, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles as collateral; you don't have to have a vehicle or property to offer up, just something that has enough value.

When it comes to bailing a friend out of jail, try to find a respected bail bond company to work with. Be ready to cosign the bond, and make sure you have either cash or collateral to put down to get your friend out of jail.