We are offering you a very different kind of opportunity.
As a bail agent, or bondsman, you can be a part of the infrastructure that ensures an orderly society. You’re not a member of the police force, and you’re not a lawyer, but you still occupy an important role. Here’s what it really means to take on this unusual, rewarding career.
What Is A Bail Bondsman?
An agent, or bail bondsman is a licensed, certified professional that enters into the legal equation after a crime has been committed, an arrest made, and charges filed. You may be familiar with the concept of bail being posted for someone accused of committing a crime. Bail is money that is given to the court which, once paid, allows the accused to continue living a normal life, outside of jail until the day of trial in court arrives. This is not a “fee” in the sense that it is a transaction conducted between the court and the accused. Instead, it’s closer to a “loan” to the court, where, upon the day of trial, the amount posted is then returned to whomever it was that actually paid the bail.
This is where the bail bondsman comes in:
There are actually a few different duties and responsibilities that are involved in becoming a bail bondsman, and some choose to specialize in just one or two areas, while other people prefer to engage in every discipline. The one thing that they all have in common however, is that the bail bondsman is in some way, shape or form, responsible for ensuring that bail is paid and the accused faces trial. In some extraordinary cases, if bail is broken, the bondsman may need to pursue the accused, or have someone else do it. If the accused does not show up for trial, the bond paid is forfeited, and the court keeps it.
Getting Licensed
Becoming a bail bondsman is not like typical job that merely requires an application and a good resume. This is a serious career and it means being evaluated, licensed and certified by the state. Depending on which state you are in, there will be slightly different requirements, but the one common area is that you will need to pass an evaluation, be issued a license, and then conduct yourself in a professional manner.
So how do you go about becoming a bail bondsman? It varies from one state to the next, but we’ll cover three states here specifically: North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
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