Immigration Bond Services: What Happens if You Can't Pay a Bond?

In 2021, approximately 1.5 million people immigrated to the United States.

Many people are able to become US citizens with no problem, but this isn't true for everyone. In some cases, an individual might find themselves in immigration court.

If they aren't able to pay their immigration bonds after posting bail, certain consequences could arise. Let's explore how to pay bond fees in detail below.

Difference Between Bail and Bond

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. The term bail refers to the money that the defendant needs to pay to get out of jail.

Otherwise, they'll have to remain in jail while their case is ongoing. In the event that their case is dropped or they are found not guilty, they aren't compensated for the time they spent in jail.

So, it's always in your best interest to post bail. Bond, on the other hand, is paid on a defendant's behalf, generally by a bail bond company. The defendant often pays a small percentage of the total bond value to the bail bond company and may need to put forth collateral to secure the money.

In the event that the defendant doesn't show up to court after getting bailed out of jail, the bail bond company will need to pay the full amount of the bond. In some situations, this could be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Failure to Pay Bond

There are no criminal penalties for failing or refusing to pay a bond. Instead, the defendant will spend time in jail until their case resolves. After all, the defendant has the right to make their own decisions.

As previously mentioned, problems can arise if the defendant does not show up to court after getting bailed out of jail by a bail bond company. At this point, it becomes a civil conflict between the defendant and the bail bond company. The company can sue the defendant for the costs they've incurred, as well as any other damages.

How to Pay Bond

If you don't have enough money to post bail and need to work with an immigration bond company, you can call a local one and have them take care of the process for you. Since they deal with this exact situation on a regular basis, it shouldn't take long for them to get you released.

However, you should be fully aware of the terms of the agreement you make with them.

Always Pay Bond Fees

If you don't pay bond fees after posting bail, you'll make your situation worse than it needs to be. Consider the above information so you can make the choice that's best for you. From here, you can get your life back on track.

Get in touch with us today at Action Immigration Bonds & Insurance Services Inc. Our team of professionals can assess your situation and help you take the best course of action.