If you need the services of a bail bondsman, the chances are good that you're in some kind of trouble. So, getting the right bail bonds company can be a matter of life and death, or at least avoiding a lengthy prison term. Believe me, this is one area where you absolutely must make the right choices. You don't want to mess up. When you need a bail bond posted it's important to know where to go.

If you already know of a good company, great, then use them. However, if you're uncertain of which company to choose, here are some important factors to consider. First, what is their reputation? If you have a lawyer and can get a hold of him or her, then ask their advice. Oftentimes they've had clients in similar situations, and might even have some connections with a local provider. Especially if your legal representative does a lot of criminal law cases; they'll know where to turn to. You always want to have a bondsman who is reliable, honest and has a reputation for integrity. As is the case in many industries, there are less than honestly people in this business and you don't want to have to deal with one of them if you can avoid it. A reputable one should give you the same level of confidentiality you'd get from your doctor or lawyer. Plus, he or she should be someone who inspires a feeling of trust. After all, if you need their services, you need to minimize your stress levels.

Now, when hiring bondsmen, know that they will not get you out of jail just out of the goodness of their hearts. They are businesses and expect to be reimbursed for their services. If you don't have a lot of cash in the bank (and these days, who does except criminals and Wall Street fat cats?) you'll need some form of collateral. The amount or type of collateral will depend on the size of the bond they need to post to get you out of the slammer. You can use your house, your car, a boat, your business or valuable personal items as collateral.

Qualifying for it is sort of like qualifying for a bank loan, at least in the fact that many of the criteria are similar. Some institutions offer financing if you don't have assets you can use for collateral but you still want to get sprung from jail anyway. But there are other factors to think about when trying to find out if you'll qualify for it.

First, how serious is the offense that you're charged with? If you're charged with something serious like assault with a deadly weapon or attempted rape, then the bail will probably be set at a higher level than if you were just jailed for a traffic offense, disorderly conduct or some other minor beef with the law. It may be that you've been charged with something that makes you ineligible for bail. If the judge considers you a flight risk that might be another reason for denying bail. You need to be aware that getting bail is not a sure thing in every case. It helps if you're not a habitual criminal and have good character and a good reputation. If you have no prior arrest record that is something that a judge will take into consideration.

Also, are you an American citizen? Do you have family in the area where you were arrested? By the way, if you have a valid passport, then you usually have to surrender it until your trial is over. Oh, and here's a final word on the subject of bail bondsmen. If the charges against you are dropped within a day or two of being sprung, you can't simply get your money back. Any money paid to a bond agent is earned and won't be returned, whether or not you go to trial. Here's my final bit of advice: stay out of trouble with the law, and you won't have a need for bail bonds.