Bail agreements constitute a contract between the indemnitor of the bail and the bondsman. Generally the agreement includes the following bail information: the date bail assigned, the judge assigning the bail, the charge and court with which it's filed, and the names and contact information for the bond co-signer.

In many states, the bail bondsman is required to obtain a license from the state insurance commission. The minimum age requirement to obtain a bail bondsman license is 18 years old.

The behavior of bail bondsmen is covered by a code of ethics. The code of ethics specifies the bond agents' duties regarding their clients, community, and competition for clients.

A bail bond service provides a confidential source of funds for your bail. The services of a bail bond agent can prevent you from going to friends, family, banks, and other financial sources to obtain the bail amount.

Bail bond services offer many convenience features. Bail bondsmen are familiar with the procedures to gain your release from jail. They can use their experience to help you gain a faster release.

When you need to post bail, payment arrangements can make a big difference. Many bail bond agencies now accept credit cards to cover the premium payments needed to secure the bond.

Premium payments represent the bail bondsman's fee for securing your release from confinement. This fee is normally restricted by law to a certain percentage of the bail amount.

The job of a bondsman is varied and somewhat complex. The primary responsibility of a bondsman is to coordinate release for the arrested person until their court appearance.