Not everyone in jail is serving time. Many people haven’t been convicted, and are simply being held in custody while they await their trial date. Generally speaking, these detainees are free to leave jail in exchange for a payment called bail. Unfortunately, bail can be very expensive, often climbing into the tens of thousands or higher. If you cannot afford the bail amount, and no other options are available for having the payment lowered, you can use a bail bond to have your loved one released quickly, at a fraction of the normal up-front cost. This article will explain the basics of how bail bonds work, and provide contact information for local bail bond companies in Atlantic City and Atlantic County. If your loved one is in custody, you might also be interested in our article on how to post bail at the Atlantic County Jail.
How Do Bail Bonds Work? What Are the Pros and Cons?
If your loved one’s bail amount is too high, you don’t necessarily have to jump to using a bail bond right away. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney first, because it may be possible to have your loved one’s bail amount reduced dramatically. If the amount can be lowered, a bond may no longer be necessary. However, if this route isn’t an option for your loved one, a bail bond can be a simple and affordable method to get them out of jail fast. Not all offenses are eligible for bail bonds, so be sure to call the jail or court in advance to check to make sure your loved one’s offense is bondable and not cash-only.
Bail bond companies charge a small, non-refundable fee, usually between 10% and 15% of the bail amount. For example, if your loved one’s bail was set at $10,000, a bond company might charge between $1,000 and $1,500. The up-front costs are smaller, but be warned: you still assume liability in the event that your loved one fails to appear for his or her court date, which means you could potentially be sued or lose valuable assets. Additionally, if the bail amount is high, you should be prepared to put up some collateral, such as a vehicle or piece of property. By using a bail bond, you also forfeit the 10% to 15% fee, whereas the full bail amount would be returned if you were to post bail on your own and the defendant was found not guilty (provided there were no failures to appear in court or other violations).
If these are risks you feel comfortable taking, and you are confident that your loved one will appear at all court hearings as pledged, then using a bail bond company might be a good option. However, as with any type of business, you shouldn’t feel obligated to use the first company you contact. Try calling around to a few different companies to get a feel for their policies and requirements, and only use a bond service you feel you can trust. You should also confirm the business’ hours of operations in advance. Some bond companies follow standard business hours, while others operate 24 hours a day.
The list below, which includes addresses and phone numbers where provided, will help you get started on making a selection. Again, be sure to shop around before you decide which company is the best fit for you and your family’s needs, and make sure you speak to an experienced criminal lawyer before committing to any major legal decisions.
Addresses and Phone Numbers for Bail Companies in Atlantic County, NJ
The following bail bond companies are located in Atlantic City or other towns in Atlantic County:
- 1st Class Bail Bonds – (609) 702-7878
- 281 Highway 9 Black Horse Pike
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
- 281 Highway 9 Black Horse Pike
- AA Bail Bonds, Inc. – (609) 383-1058
- 6 East Black Horse Pike
Pleasantville, NJ 08232
- 6 East Black Horse Pike
- Aaron Bail Bonds – (732) 324-8444
- 5918 Main Street #103
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
- 5918 Main Street #103
- AC Bail Bonds – (609) 593-3396
- Egg Harbor City, NJ
- Atlantic Bail Bonds – (609) 343-0222
- 2711 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
- 2711 Atlantic Avenue
- Atlantic City Bail Bonds – (609) 593-3396
- Best Bail Bonds, LLC – (609) 798-1463
- 45 Shore Road
- Pleasantville, NJ 08232
- Boardwalk Bail Bonds – (609) 343-1717
- 4121 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
- 4121 Atlantic Avenue
- Burton’s Bail Bonds – (609) 344-2226
- 2726 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
- 2726 Atlantic Avenue
- Rapid Bail Bonds – (609) 345-6789
- 2705 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
- 2705 Atlantic Avenue
If your loved is in custody at the Atlantic County Jail, call an Atlantic City criminal defense attorney of the Law Offices of John J. Zarych at (609) 616-4956 to start exploring affordable options for posting bail. We have decades of experience successfully handling a wide variety of indictable crimes and DP offenses, including New Jersey gun crimes, sexual offenses, and casino crimes in Atlantic City. Se habla español
