Frequently Asked Questions

Bail is the amount of money the judge sets to allow a person to get out of jail before an arraignment or preliminary hearing.

Whether the judge sets bail is based on:

• Type and seriousness of the charges
• Prior failures to appear
• Criminal record
• Community connections
• The probability the defendant will appear in court

The most common types of bail releases are as follows:

• Cash bail
• Surety bond
• Property bonds
• Own recognizance
• Partially Secured

A bail bond is surety bond that is guaranteed by a state licensed bail bondsman who is backed by an insurance company. The bail agent guarantees the court full payment of the bond if you fail to appear for scheduled court appearances.

While each state sets non-negotiable bond rates, in South Carolina, the cost of a bail bond is based on a sliding scale that ranging from 6-15%. The cost for a bond between $1000 and $3000, for example, is 10% of the bond amount. Depending on the size of the bond, the fee may be as low as 6% for large bond amounts.

When the Apex Bail Bonds Agency arranges for bail, we need payment prior to posting a bond. We understand that the cost of the bail bond is more than the amount of cash most people typically have on hand and offer various payment options and payment plans to help you or your family obtain a bail bond. Apex Bail Bonds Agency accepts Cash, Cash app, Apple Pay and Zelle.

Yes, you may pay the jail directly. For a defendant to be released on cash bail, you must post the full amount of the bail with the court in the form of cash or cashier’s check. It is important to check with the bail clerk to verify forms of payment the jail will accept for a cash bond because options and restrictions may vary from one court jurisdiction to another. For large bail amounts, you may expect that the source of funds will have to be verified to ensure that the money is coming from legal sources.

Generally, obtaining a bail bond begins with a phone call to a bail bonds agency. At Apex Bail Bond Agency, we will ask for information about the defendant’s situation to determine the risk involved in the bond and begin the bond approval process. Procedures differ from state to state and court to court. No need to worry! Our agents will hold your hand every step of the way.

Once the bail bond is approved, you will need to sign bail bond documents, i.e. an application, indemnity agreement, promissory note and confession of judgment. After the paperwork is finalized and payment has been made, a licensed bondsman will post the bail bond at the jail.

We specialize in arraignment cases where you can pre-arrange bail so that your loved one can be released from court right after being arraigned.

Collateral is something of value used to secure your debt obligation and ensure payment, such as cash or real estate. You will need documentation for your collateral, such as a deed to a home or vacant land, certificates of deposit, 401K, stock options, jewelry,  or a passbook for a savings account.

As collateral, Apex Bail Bonds accepts real property nationwide as well as Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic.

If I use collateral for a bail bond, when can I expect to have my collateral returned?

When the defendant’s case has been completed and all financial obligations are satisfied, bail bond collateral is returned to you.

When you need help to obtain a bail bond or to get answers to your specific bail questions, please call us at + 1 (803) 807 2865