Use of a surety bond involves a series of contracts with a bondsman, or bond agent, for the bail amount. The bondsman interviews the arrested individual and the guarantor prior to assuring that the accused will appear in court. This information provides the bail agent with a reasonable determination of whether the accused will make the designated court appearances. Contracts can also contain various conditions of guaranteeing the release, such as completing drug treatment. Bonds are usually written for a premium percentage of the bail's full amount. Collateral from the guarantor is then used to secure the remaining bail amount. The bond agent is liable to the court for the full bail amount, in the event of the accused's failure to appear. This guarantee is made by using the assets and property of the bail agent's insurance, or surety, company. The surety company is usually licensed for operation by the insurance commission of the state. For additional information on surety bonds, consult a bail bondsman or an attorney.
