It can be incredibly stressful to learn that one of your loved ones has been arrested and is being held in jail. When you hear that the bail amount is thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, you may feel hopeless. The good news is that you can help your loved one get released from jail even if you can't afford to pay the bail amount in full by working with a bail bond company. When you work with a bail bond company, you will pay a non-refundable fee that is equal to a small percentage of the total bail amount, and the bail bond company will post bail on behalf of your loved one. Use the following tips to help you select the right bail bond company to work with when you need to bail a loved one out of jail:

Make Sure the Company is Licensed

The bail bonds industry is highly regulated, so someone can't just simply lease commercial property and begin advertising their services as a bail bond company. The majority of states require a bail bond company to obtain a license in order to do business. When you need the services of a bail bond company, make sure that you choose one that is licensed. A licensed bail bond company will operate in compliance with all state laws and rules pertaining to bail bonds.

Look for a Bail Bond Company That is Transparent About Their Policies

Most people have little to no experience bailing someone out of jail or working with a bail bond company. Thus, when you need the services of a bail bond company, it is in your best interest to choose a company that is very transparent about its policies. A reputable bail bond company will be upfront about how much their non-refundable fee is and will also be clear about any collateral requirements. Don't be afraid to ask questions-- a good bail bond company will be staffed by knowledgeable employees who want to help you.

Consider the Number of Years in Business

When you want to ensure that your loved one is released from jail as quickly as possible, your best bet is to work with a bail bond company that has been in business for many years. A bail bond company that has served the community for years will know the process of posting bail inside and out. That means that after you fill out the required paperwork and pay the fee, the bail bond company will work quickly to post bail so your loved one can be released.