A bail bondsman can get your loved one out of jail by posting a bond for a fee, and can guide your family through the bail process from start to finish. But what a bail bondsman can do stops at the courtroom door. A bondsman cannot give legal advice, lower the bond amount, or make charges go away.
Knowing the difference saves families time, money, and a lot of frustration. Here is an honest breakdown.
What Can a Bail Bondsman Do for You?
More than most people expect, inside a clear lane.
Post the bond. You pay a fee, called a premium, and the bonding company guarantees the full bond to the court. The premium is regulated under Georgia law, and your agent will explain the exact amount. Our overview of how bail bonds work covers the basics.
Explain the process. How bond gets set, what the conditions mean, what to bring, and what happens next.
Help you find your loved one. If you do not know which jail someone is in, start with our inmate locator.
Handle paperwork without a trip to the office. At A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds, co-signers can sign by email, by fax, or in person.
Answer the phone at 2 a.m. Our licensed agents are available 24/7 at (770) 627-3235.
Set up a payment plan. Many families pay the premium over time.
Help when something goes wrong. If a defendant misses court, a bonding company will often work with a cooperative defendant and the court to get the date reset.
Connect you with monitoring. If a judge orders an ankle monitor, our sister company, A 2nd Chance Monitoring, provides GPS and alcohol monitoring.
What Can’t a Bail Bondsman Do?
Give legal advice. A bondsman is not a lawyer and cannot represent anyone in court. Questions about the charges, a plea, or a defense belong with an attorney.
Lower the bond. Only a judge can change the bond amount. An attorney can ask the court for a bond reduction.
Get charges reduced or dropped. That is between the prosecutor, the defense, and the court.
Guarantee a release time. Once bond is posted, the jail still has to process the release, and that timing is out of the bondsman’s hands. We explain why in how long it takes to be released on bond.
Refund the premium. The premium is a fee for service. It is not returned when the case ends, even if charges are dropped.
Look the other way on a missed court date. If a defendant will not cooperate in resetting court, the bonding company may take steps to return the defendant to custody, and the co-signer may be responsible for the bond.
Who Should You Call for Everything Else?
A bondsman is one part of a support system. Here is who handles the rest.
Legal help
A private defense attorney, or a public defender if your loved one qualifies. While we can’t recommend an attorney, be sure to check out our guide on public defenders vs. private attorneys to help you decide what’s best for your situation.
Substance use treatment
The SAMHSA National Helpline offers free, confidential treatment referral 24 hours a day at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Learn more on the SAMHSA website.
Work and reentry
A criminal record can make job hunting harder, but not impossible. Our sister company shares practical steps in how to find a job with a criminal record.
How Can You Tell You Are Working With a Good Bondsman?
A good bondsman is licensed, explains every fee before you sign, puts the terms in writing, and answers the phone after the paperwork is done. No pressure. No surprises.
Be wary of anyone who calls you first demanding money, or asks for payment by gift card or wire transfer. Our guide to choosing a reputable bail bondsman covers what to look for.
Knowing what a bail bondsman can do, and what falls to someone else, helps your family spend its energy in the right places. Let us handle the bond. Let your attorney handle the case. And lean on the right resources for the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a bail bondsman give legal advice?
Can a bail bondsman lower my bail?
Can a bail bondsman get someone out of jail faster?
Is the bail bondsman’s fee refundable?
What does a bail bondsman do if someone misses court?
About A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds
A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds has been reuniting families for nearly 20 years. With multiple offices across Georgia and Alabama, our licensed bail bond agents are available around the clock to provide fast, respectful service to every family we work with. Whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, we are here to help.
The information in this article is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Bond procedures, conditions, and release timelines vary by county, court, and individual case. Laws, procedures, and requirements in Georgia can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have specific legal questions about your situation, please consult a licensed attorney in Georgia. A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds is a licensed bail bond agency, not a law firm.
