Carroll Collins Answers Your Questions About Bail Bonds

When is the bail bond premium refunded?

The premium is earned at the time the defendant is released from custody and therefore non-refundable. This is the case even if the defendant is found innocent, the case is dismissed or the defendant is placed back into custody for another offense.

How long is a bail bond good?

A bail bond is good for thirty six months (3 years). If the case goes beyond the thirty six months the premium must be paid again in order to keep the bail bond.

How do I know when the defendant has to go to court?

Typically, the courts will notify us when the defendant is scheduled to appear along with mailing the defendant a court notice to the address they have on file. It’s important for the Clerk of Court to have the Defendant’s correct address for these notices. You may call our offices during office hours check on the status of any court dates. It is your responsibility, as the Indemnitor, to know when the defendant has to go to court.

When am I released from the bond?

You are released from the bail bond when the case is dropped or the defendant has been sentenced.

How do I make payments?

If your bail bond premium was not paid in full at the time of release, payments are typically due weekly or biweekly.

Phone Payments – We accept credit/debit card payments (by the cardholder) by phone during office hours.

In Person Payments – We accept cash, personal checks, money orders, and most major credit and debit cards at either of our locations. Our Fort Pierce office is at 3617 Orange Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL, 34947 and is open Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm.

Mail Payments – Payments can be made by sending a check or money order (Please include the Defendant’s name) to the following address:

Carroll Collins Bail Bonds
P.O. Box 4114
Fort Pierce, FL 34948

What is the difference between the bail bond amount and the premium?

The bail bond amount is the full amount of the bail that is set by the court. The premium is the dollar amount charged by the bail bond agency for posting the bonds. Usually this premium is 10% of the bail amount, per charge. For example, if the bail amount is $20,000, the premium charged would be $2,000. However, if the bail amount is set at $500 for two charges, the premium charged would be $200; $100 per charge. These fees are the same throughout the State of Florida and are regulated by the Florida Department of Financial Services.

In Federal Court, the bail bond fee is 15%

As an Indemnitor, if the defendant misses court, do I have to pay you the full value of the bond?

You are liable for the full amount of the bond, plus expenses, if the defendant does not go to court. However, a failure to appear in court does not necessarily mean you’ll have to pay the full amount of the bond. While there is no excuse for missing court, we strongly encourage our clients to notify us of any unusual circumstances so that we can advise them as to the best course of action.