Why Paying Your Own Bail Could Be a Bad Idea
News and Resources
When a person has been arrested there’s a lot going through their mind and it can sometimes be difficult to take a step back, take a breath and make sound decisions. One mistake a lot of people who have been arrested in Denver County, Golden, and elsewhere in Colorado make is deciding to act as their own bail bond agent by paying their own bail. Certainly, if they have the means it’s entirely legal for them to do so, but just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.
Why Skipping the Bail Bonding Company Could Be a Mistake
There is nothing that says a person can’t post their own bail. Lots of people who can afford to will do just that and think nothing of it, until it’s too late. “But wait,” you say, “How can posting my own bail be a mistake?” Here are five reasons.
Without a Bondsman, You’ll Pay Way More Upfront
If you decide to pay your own bail you’ll need to come up with the entire amount, whether that’s $500 or $50,000. On the other hand, if you work with a bail bondsman you will only have to pay a small percentage of the total bail amount, which is why we use the term “affordable bail bonds”. Typically, you will only pay 10%, maybe a bit more depending on the crime. The bondsman pays the rest in the form of an irrevocable blanket bond, that covers them with the court in case a person they’ve provided bail for disappears. So, if your bail is $500 you’d only pay $50 upfront.
Cash Bail Agents Are a Valuable Source of Information
The bondsman is not just someone who helps secure your release from jail, they’re also a fountain of useful information that can help you put your situation in context and determine the right way to proceed after you’ve been arrested. Although they are not lawyers most bonding agents have a great deal of experience with local laws and local courts. They can help you determine your rights in a given situation and provide much-needed perspective that can help you relax a bit.
Paying Your Own Bail Might Mean More Time in Jail
A good bondsman will help you get out of jail faster than if you tried to bail yourself out. That's because everyone at the local jail and local court are familiar with your bondsman. They trust them and know their record. On the other hand, they probably have no idea who you are and are not particularly motivated to move things along on your behalf. Bondsmen also have the aforementioned blanket bond with the local court, which speeds up the whole process.
The Entire Amount You Put Up Could Be Lost
If you shell out, say, $50,000 that money is lost to you until the criminal justice process is complete. That means that money will be tied up beyond your reach until you are acquitted or the charges are dropped or there is some other sort of settlement. If, however, you are found guilty of the charge the state keeps the money. All of it. If you only pay 10% of that then you’d only be out $5,000 instead of $50,000.
The Bail Bondsman Ensures Discretion
Let's say you've been arrested and bail has been set at $50,000. You don't personally have that much but you're pretty sure your parents or another family member does. If you ask mom and dad or another family member for the money your personal business will quickly become known to everyone. If, on the other hand, you can provide $5,000 yourself and the bail bond agent pitches in the remainder, your business stays your business as it’s just between you and the bondsman. (Unless of course yours is a crime that attracts media attention.)
Choosing the Right Bail Bondsman
No one in their right mind wants to spend one more minute in jail than absolutely necessary, yet when you act as your own bail agent that’s what happens. The process drags on while loved ones worry about your safety. A better way to handle things is to enlist the services of a professional bondsman. To find the best local bail bonding company, keep the following things in mind:
- Make sure they are licensed and that they have a good reputation.
- A good bail agent will offer 24-hour bail bonds, not just 9 - 5 bail bonds.
- Make sure they are a local company with extensive experience with local courts.
- If they won’t answer your questions or address your concerns, look elsewhere.
Need Bail Bonding in Colorado?
Learn more about the 24/7 bail bonding services we offer throughout the Denver metro area – or call our team for immediate assistance.Unless you have been arrested for some heinous crime you should not languish in jail. Working with a proven, professional bondsman should enable you to get out of jail quickly and be reunited with your loved ones. You will then be able to resume your normal life while waiting for your day in court, and that’s the way it should be considering people are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.
Bail Bonding FAQs
Yes, a bail bondsman is not legally required to post bail for anyone. They assess each case individually and may decline service if they believe the person poses too high a financial risk or is unlikely to appear in court.
Bail agents might refuse service based on a person's criminal history, flight risk, the severity of the charges, lack of collateral, or prior failures to appear in court. Each bondsman has their own risk criteria.
Yes, urgency may affect their decision, but only if they feel comfortable with the risk. Bondsmen often work quickly, but they won't sacrifice due diligence if the situation feels questionable or rushed.
Absolutely. Higher bail amounts mean higher financial exposure for the bondsman. If they aren’t confident in your ability to follow through, they may decline to cover large bonds regardless of your upfront payment.
Sometimes. Offering additional collateral, a co-signer, or demonstrating stronger ties to the community might persuade a bondsman to reconsider. However, their final decision is entirely up to them.
Yes. Just because one agent refuses your case doesn’t mean all will. Different bail companies have different policies and risk tolerances, so it’s worth contacting others for help.
Contact Our Licensed Bail Bondsmen Today
If you have been arrested and are tempted to post your own bail, wait! Talk to the pros at Tayler Made Bail Bonds first. In all likelihood enlisting Tayler Made to handle your bail will pay numerous dividends including getting you released quicker and requiring far less upfront money from you. If you are in need of bail contact Tayler Made at (303) 623-0399.
Contact Info
Tayler Made Bail Bonding is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
(303) 623-0399email@taylermadebailbonding.com
3595 South Teller Street
Suite 300A
Lakewood, CO 80235
@TaylerMadeBail