Bail Bond Policy Flashcards

What is a bounty hunter, also called in many states?

Answer: A bail enforcement agent or fugitive recovery agent

Bounty hunters are also known as bail enforcement or fugitive recovery agents who locate defendants who skip bail.

Which factor does a bail agent most heavily weigh when deciding whether to write a bond?

Answer: The defendant's flight risk and ability to pay or provide collateral

Agents assess flight risk and the financial ability to cover the premium and collateral before issuing a bond.

Which states have largely banned commercial bail bonding?

Answer: Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin

A handful of states, including Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin, prohibit commercial bail bonding.

What is 'cash bail' as opposed to a surety bond?

Answer: The full bail amount paid directly to the court by the defendant or family

Cash bail is paying the entire bail amount directly to the court rather than using a bond agent.

Under most policies, what happens to the premium if the defendant attends every court date and the case ends?

Answer: The premium remains the agent's earned fee and is not refunded

The premium is the agent's earned compensation and is kept even when the defendant complies fully.

What is a 'payment plan' in a bail bond policy?

Answer: An arrangement to pay the premium in installments over time

Many agents allow indemnitors to pay the premium in installments rather than all at once.

If collateral is required and the bond is forfeited and unpaid, what can the agent do with that collateral?

Answer: Liquidate it to cover the forfeited bond amount

When a forfeiture is paid by the agent, pledged collateral can be liquidated to recover the loss.