Reasons why a bail bond company may refuse to help

Your loved one or you are in jail and need to get out of it soon. You know the bail amount, but you may not have cash or other financial means to post it. In that situation, you need to seek the help of a credible bail bondsman. A bail bond agent can represent you and submit money on your behalf. However, before he does so, he may need you to get into a contract that ensures safety at both ends. But as you may suspect, everything cannot be hunky-dory. The agent can refuse to bail a defendant out based on certain conditions. It can be his hunch or mood, but it can never be solely that.

When he can refuse to help
A bail bond company can deny helping you after evaluating the risk factors in your case from the beginning. For example, when you or someone on your behalf reaches out to the agent on a Friday night, he can ask a few questions as a part of the routine to understand the situation of the accused. He may want to know the defendant’s full name, the charges against him, his booking number, and so. At the same time, he can inquire about a few things to assess the flight risk of the defendant. The questions may go like:

• What is his citizenship status in the US?
• Is he a part of any community?
• Does he have stability in his job?
• How many years of experience he has with the company?
• Where is his residence? Does he own it, or is he a tenant?

If answers to most of these questions are in the negative, the bondsman will spot the risks and decide whether or not the case is worth taking. If he senses that the risks are high, he may refuse immediately. In that situation, you cannot bring him on the same page even by offering a premium amount.
When he cannot refuse to help
Just like he can decide if he should help a particular case or not based on certain factors, some specific conditions restrict him from taking such steps. An agent cannot discriminate against a person based on sex, religion, medical condition, sexuality, color, race, nationality, handicap, and marital status, etc.
Is it right on his part to say no?
For this, you have to understand the role of a bond agent or the company. Bail forms a crucial part of the criminal justice procedure. The bondsman might be willing to help a defendant with a surety bond, but he cannot afford to take risks. If the defendant flees, the company will have to make full bail payments to the court. If there are co-guarantors and they also fail to perform their duties, then again, the responsibility of bail payment will fall on the bail bond company. And it is not avoidable for them. Hence, they need to do a thorough risk assessment before taking up a case.
When you approach a bail bond agent, keep these things in mind. Also, make sure you or your loved one in jail adhere to all the conditions laid down by the court.