Need Help Finding a Bail Bondsman in Jacksonville?
As a graduate of FSU, I have a Hospitality Management degree that provides me with the skills I need to offer the best service possible. I have served the Jacksonville area for the past 5 years as a bail bonds agent. With over 25 years in business, we are family owned and operate offices all over the state of Florida.
College students are not immune from making mistakes. We can help family members who live away from Jacksonville, get their family member released from jail, even if they are not living in the area. No matter where you live, our agents are here to help you get through the process. We have been able to help students from several colleges and universities in the area get released from jail, even though their parents are located in different states.
No matter where you are located, if you have a loved one in Florida that needs to be bonded out of jail, we are available any time of day, 7 days a week. We provide you with information to help you determine exactly what is going on and how you should proceed. At Ryan Wells Bail Bonds, our licensed agents will make sure you have everything you need when you call.
Located in Jacksonville, Florida, Ryan Wells Bail Bonds services Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns Counties. Most people who contact our office have very little experience when it comes to being arrested or having to deal with the bail bonds process.
Our agents are caring, compassionate, reputable and honest. We strive to offer the best customer service possible. It is our goal to help our customers get through this difficult time. Much of our business comes to us by word of mouth. We receive referrals from numerous attorneys who pass our name on to their clients.
We work directly with the courts and can get warrants serviced before an actual arrest has been made. By working directly with the court, we can eliminate the need for you to be taken into custody if a warrant has been issued. Once we post your bond, we will receive your court date. You must attend all schedule court hearings or your bail will be revoked and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
How does bail bonds work in Jacksonville?
A “surety bond”, or bail bond, is a contract between the court and the bail bond agency. When a person posts bond after being arrested, they are released from jail on the condition that they agree to return for any hearings the court schedules. In the United States, it is a person's constitutional right to post bail in an attempt to get out of jail. The only time bond is denied, is when a person is considered a flight risk or they have another type of hold that prevents them from obtaining bond. In most cases, the judge will lift the hold on a defendant once they have been arraigned. In cases where a serious crime has been committed, the judge may deny bail altogether. Bail amounts are set by state and county judges according to the seriousness of the crime.
Why use our Jacksonville bail bonds company?
EXCELLENT BAIL SERVICE
The agents of Ryan Wells Bail Bonds are dedicated to serving the community. We understand that it can be difficult for families who must deal with the arrest of a loved one. The stress and uncertainty can often times, be more than a family can bear.
Bail bonds are not cheap. They can be extremely expensive depending on the nature of the crime and the person's past criminal history. Our bail bonds agency knows how hard it is to cover large sums of money in a short period of time. We can help make the process easier with affordable payment plans. We offer fast, efficient service. We even accept debit cards, Visa MasterCard, Discover, check and cash payments.
HONEST, DEPENDABLE SERVICE
The agents of Ryan Wells Bail Bonds are dedicated to helping families face difficult situations. We work quickly and provide the most reliable service possible any time, day or night. We work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to make sure your loved one spends as little time as possible in jail. Our former clients and attorneys constantly refer us to others because of our excellent customer service and willingness to go the extra mile.
YOU'RE A NAME, NOT JUST A NUMBER – WE CARE ABOUT YOU!
Professionalism is important to us and we strive to treat each of our clients with the utmost respect. Many times, an arrest is a foreign experience that no one is prepared for. It is unexpected and can be a shock to the family. Protecting your family's privacy is extremely important. Because it is our goal to be as discreet as possible, every meeting, phone call, email or text is completely confidential.
At our office, we do not use answering machines. Licensed agents are available to answer the phones in our office 24 hours a day. We take pride in being able to offer personal, as well as professional service. Ryan Wells Bail Bonds employs numerous agents who are dedicated to being there when you need them. In Florida, we provide service for all of Clay, St. John's, Duval and Nassau counties. Rest assured, the agents of Ryan Wells Bail Bonds, will answer your questions and will do everything possible to offer satisfactory service.
WE GO THE EXTRA MILE BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS A PRIORITY, NOT AN OPTION
Information About Bail Bonds
The agents at Ryan Wells Bail Bonds can answer your questions and provide bail information any time, day or night. We work 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. One of our licensed agents is always on call. If you need information fast, call our office at 904-853-6450, whenever you need us.
Jacksonville Bail Bonds Process
The Initial Arrest
After you have been taken into custody, the booking process begins. After you have been booked, you will be informed as to what amount of bail you will need to post to get out of jail. The majority of misdemeanors are listed on a bond schedule and require a specific amount. Felony charges, on the other hand, are much more serious and will require you to appear in front of the judge at an arraignment hearing. If the judge sets a bond for you, you can immediately start the bail bonds process and begin to fill out any paperwork. You can either go through a bail bonds agent and pay a portion of the bail, or you can pay the entire amount directly to the jail and obtain your release.
Cost of Bail Bonds
In Florida, the rate for filing bail bonds is 10 percent of the total bond amount. The minimum rate per charge is $100. This filing fee is a fixed rate put in place by the Florida Department of Financial Services. It cannot be negotiated or bargained with to obtain a lower rate.
Collateral for Bail Bonds
In the majority of all bail bonds cases, no collateral is needed in order to obtain a bond. Most bail bonds agency only require a promissory note and indemnity contract signed by all parties involved. A large bond may require collateral due to the level of risk involved. Real estate, cash, jewelry and other items with value may be used as collateral.
The Next Step
If you need to bail a loved one out of jail, call us as soon as know what type of bond they have. Paperwork can be completed over the phone, via fax or email or in person. Once you provide us with the following information, we can complete the paperwork and get things moving in the right direction. The information we need includes:
Full name of the defendant
Defendant's full date of birth
Where they were arrested
Type of charges
Total bail amount
Past arrests and criminal history (if any)
As soon as the paperwork is completed, one of our agents will go to the jail and post the necessary bond. Filling out the paperwork normally takes between 15 to 30 minutes to complete. After bond has been posted, it will take approximately 2 to 8 hours for the jail to release them from custody. Once the bail has been posted, the time frame is dependent on the jail.
Federal and Immigration Bonds
We have the capability of writing both federal and immigration bonds. Although the process is similar to that of other types of bonds, federal bonds normally require some form of collateral. When writing a federal or immigration bond, 15 percent of the total bond amount is required for filing.
Forms of payment
Ryan Wells Bail Bonds can accept several different types of payment. We accept both cash and check, as well as all major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express) and debit cards. We can also take money orders and transfer funds from PayPal.
Verify Warrants or Check Status
We can check on the status of a case and determine whether or not a warrant has been issued for your arrest. It is not a simple process where we call the police and ask a question. If you believe you have a warrant, you must bring your identification to our office. We will scan or fax your drivers' license or ID to the jail and they will reply within 24 hours. Once they have verified your identification, they will notify you if you do or do not have a valid warrant.
If there is a warrant for you, they will also send the required amount of bond to prevent your arrest. With the information in hand, we can make arrangements for you to turn yourself in. They will go to the jail with you and post your bond at the same time. This will prevent you from serving any jail time. The entire process sounds lengthy, but in actuality it does not take very long at all.
Bail Bonds FAQ
There are many frequently asked questions involving arrests and the bail bonds process. Call us today at 904-853-6450 to get your questions answered today.
When bail bonds are set extremely high, we can set up affordable payment plans to help you come up with the amount of bail money you need to obtain a defendant's release. We negotiate our payment plans to fit into your particular monthly budget. Payment plans can be extended to 24 months depending on the circumstances and the eligibility of the applicant.
Bail bonds are also known as surety bonds. A licensed agent works with an insurance agent to create a contract between an indemnitor and the court. This agreement states that a defendant agrees to appear at their scheduled hearings, if they are allowed to post bond and be released from jail.
You can post bond with the court as long as there is an active warrant for your arrest. Once the bond has been posted, the warrant will be rescinded and a court date will be scheduled.
You can choose to do either a cash bail or a bail bond. To post cash bail, the entire amount is paid to the jail to obtain the defendant's release. If a bail bond is preferred, a bonding agent must be used. When a cash bail is posted, it is taken directly to the jail or court. When the case is over, the money is returned minus any fees and financial obligations through the court.
A bail bond agent cannot give legal advice. There are several things you must look at as you decide whether or not you want to hire an attorney to take your case. They include:
- Seriousness of the crime
- Amount of the bail bond
- Felony or misdemeanor charges?
- Do you have any prior criminal charges?
- Are there any strikes on your record?
- Prior prison convictions?
- Are you gainfully employed?
- Do you have family obligations?
- Are you a full time student?
You need to know your rights. Unless you have a strong criminal law background, seeking an attorney is in your best interest. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney on your own, the court will provide you with one. A public defender is appointed by the court to help individuals who have suffered financial hardships and cannot afford an attorney through any other means. They will help you get the best possible deal for your situation.
Ryan Wells Bail Bonds agents mostly write signature bonds. The only time a home or other property would be needed as collateral would be if the bail bond set is extremely high or the defendant is considered a flight risk.
After a person has been arrested, a specific amount of bail is required to obtain their release. Bail amounts are different depending on what county a person is arrested in. The judges in each county work together to set bond amounts for specific crimes. A co-signer must be eligible to apply for the bond. Once they are approved, the bond can be posted and their loved one released from custody.
It can take longer in a county jail, sometimes as long as 8 hours, for a person to be released after bond has been posted. Depending on conditions within the jail, it can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours. Bail bonding agencies have no control over how long the release process takes.
Filling out the paperwork normally only takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
The bail bonds company earns their fee after the bond has been posted and the defendant has been released. A portion of the money may be returned after the defendant has appeared in court and fulfilled their obligations per the bail bond contract.
We can contact the court or the police station to determine if you have any active warrants. A licensed bail bond agent can determine if you have a warrant and what bail amount is needed to obtain your release. Once the information is in hand, the bail bond process can be started and bond posted so you do not have to spend any time in jail.
Private attorneys normally have more experience than public defenders and can find areas in the case that may prove beneficial to the defense. In some cases, their additional experience can result in a reduction of the charges as well as the amount of bail needed to obtain the release of the defendant from jail. They can also get the sentencing reduced from prison time to house arrest, depending on the type of charges they have.
Consultations are common among private attorneys. The majority of attorneys will not guarantee an outcome. They can offer expert legal advice, however, that will help you make wise decisions when it comes to how your case is handled. After the first court appearance, the attorney will be able to review police reports and make be able to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Public defenders are paid for the by the state and are under no obligation to go the extra mile to help you win your case. They will work to get you the best deal possible within their level of expertise.
It is the defendant's responsibility to fulfill all of the court's requirements, including appearing at every scheduled court hearing. If a payment plan is in place, all payments must be paid on time each month. The defendant must not get arrested again after they are released on bail.
A few of the benefits of posting bail include:
- The defendant can return to work without fear of losing their job
- The defendant can continue to attend school
- The defendant has family obligations
- The defendant intends to hire an attorney
All bail bonds clients have the right to:
- Have an agent explain the bail process to them
- The definition of a cosigner and their rights and responsibilities
- Know how much bail fees are
- Obtain a copy of any paperwork relating to their bond and anything they may have signed
THE ARREST PROCESS AND THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A BAIL BONDSMAN
After an arrest, the person is taken to a jail and processed. The jail will run your name through several databases to determine if you have any outstanding warrants. (This is a nationwide search.) Bail is determined by the severity of the charge. Once you have been given a bail amount, you can begin working with a bail bond agent to post your bail and obtain your release. Processing can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on how busy the facility is. Being held at a city jail or county facility will also determine how long it takes.
In Florida, bond is regulated by the state. The standard premium for a bail bond is 10 percent of the total cost of the bond. It is non-negotiable and any agency who accepts a lesser or higher amount is in violation of state law. Payment plans, however, can be negotiated and can be put in place for up to 2 years or 24 months.
Posting bail is relatively simple. All a cosigner needs is a valid drivers' license (military ID), verification of employment (normally a check stub will do) and proof of residence (utility bills).
Defendants are entitled to:
- Why they were arrested
- A phone call after they have been processed
- Regain their property upon their release
- Adequate representation by a public defender if a private attorney is not possible
- A fair and speedy trial
- Are innocent until their guilt has been proven
Bail Bonds Collateral FAQ
Homes can be used for collateral as long as they are owned with no loans or other financial obligations against them. Once the court case has concluded, the deed to the property will be returned to the person who put the home up as collateral.
Most applicants qualify for a signature bond. When a person's bond is extremely high, the agency may require collateral to cover its cost.
Most bail bond agencies can help you negotiate a signature bond. The majority of clients are able to receive a signature bond. If the bond is extremely high, collateral may be needed to cover the bond in its entirety.
Collateral is any object or material thing that holds value. Cars, trucks, boats, homes, jewelry or bank accounts are verifiable forms of collateral. When bonds are written without the benefit of collateral, they are called signature bonds. This means a signature is the only thing that is needed to write the bond.
If and when collateral is needed, car titles, property deeds, certificates of deposit, jewelry and other items of value can be used as collateral.
Once the sentencing phase of the case has been concluded, any collateral used to cover a bail bond is returned to the owner. Once the bail bond agent receives notification that the collateral has been released, the agent can return the collateral back to its rightful owner. Only the person who provided the collateral can receive it upon its return.
When the sentencing phase of the case is completed, the court will allow the collateral to be released. A notification will be sent to the bail bond agency and they, in turn, will release the collateral back to the owner.
Ryan Wells Bail Bonds agents always answer the phone. Call them today at 904-853-6450 if you have any questions and want to talk to a real person instead of an answering machine.
Responsibilities for Bail Bonds Co-Signer FAQ
If the defendant works with the court and appears as requested, any warrants for failure to appear will be rescinded and the collateral will be returned when the case is closed.
The main responsibility of a cosigner is to make sure the defendant complies with all of the stipulations of their release from jail. This includes appearing at all court hearings, covering the full amount of the bond if the defendant fails to appear, fulfilling all payment arrangements and covering any fees the defendant cannot pay.
If the defendant misses his court date, he can have his attorney petition the court to reinstate his bond and get any warrant that has been issued recalled. A reinstatement is requested by the bail bond agency and should take place as soon as possible.
Your responsibilities as a cosigner will be fulfilled once the sentencing phase of the case is fulfilled. Sentencing can include any of the following:
- House arrest
- Probation
- Weekends in jail
- Fines
- Classes and fees
- Jail time
Bail Bonds Process FAQ
After bail has been set, a licensed bail bonds agent can post your bond. A surety bond is a legal contract that states the defendant will appear at their court hearing if they are allowed to post bail. In most cases, family members make the arrangements with the bail bond agent. Bail bonds are written over the phone and only take a few minutes to obtain approval. Once the process is complete, bond can be posted.
Affordable payment plans are available. Interest free payment plans are also an option. Plans are negotiated to fit within each client's budget
Most bail bonds agencies encourage their clients to come to the office. It is important for family members to personally know the agents who they will be working with. Getting to know one another is important when building a working relationship between both parties.
Credit and how long you have been employed are just two of the things we look at when considering a financial payment arrangement.
Call a licensed bail bond agency and talk to an agent. Agree on payment arrangements and negotiate the details of the bail bond. Fill out and sign all necessary paperwork, either in person or by fax. Bail is posted and defendant is released from jail.
Bail premiums for the state of Florida are 10 percent. It is not negotiable. Payment plans can be worked out between the bail bond agency and the cosigner.
You have a legal contract in place between the yourself and the bail bond agency. You promise the defendant will follow the law while they are out on bail and will appear at every scheduled hearing.
If no bail is posted, the defendant must remain in jail until the court case is closed. That can take several months and may eventually result in the loss of their job and financial hardship for their family.
If a defendant is in the hospital and can't make their court appearance, they need to provide their attorney with any documentation that proves hospitalization. The attorney will forward the documentation to the court and discuss the issue with the district attorney. This will prevent a warrant from being issued and allow them to set a new court date.
In most cases, the only information that is really needed is the defendant's full name and complete birth date. If they are already in jail, the booking number is helpful.
You are required to make sure the defendant appears in court as well as cover the cost of the bail bond, if for some reason, they do not show up for their scheduled hearing.
A bail bond agent is there to answer all of your questions, ensure all documents are completed and signed and also to keep track of the defendant, once they have been released on bail.
Surety bonds are legal and binding contracts that state the defendant will fulfill all of the judge's orders when it comes to obtaining early release from jail. In return for being granted early release, the defendant must promise to appear at all of their scheduled court hearings.
Checks, cash, debit or credit cards can be used as payment. American Express, Visa, Discover and MasterCard are acceptable.
