Refer-a-Bail is a bail bond and criminal defense attorney referral service. The concept was developed over a two year period. In that time we we spoke with bail bond agents, criminal defense attorneys and most importantly their clients. As is the case with any profession, if you do not have clients you will not stay in business long.
During our conversations with both defendants and indemnitors of bail bond companies and defendants in criminal cases who were in need of a strong criminal defense we learned a few things.
Indemnitors did not know how to choose a reputable bail bond company. They have all seen the television shows or movies where the bail bond agent was some dirty old guy with two gold rings on each finger sucking on a three day old cigar while counting his cash and eating greasy fried chicken in one hand and yelling at somebody over the phone with his other. More often than not this is he image that the bail bond agent has… What a Shame.
More than 70% of the people we talked to had no idea of what a bail bond agent does. Most people considered bail agents to be long haired roughnecks who chased people around the country so they could throw them in jail for missing court. TV is not the bail agent’s best friend!
The rest of the people were somewhat familiar with the bail bond agent scenario. They knew that they needed to pay a non-refundable premium and be responsible for the defendant to appear at their court dates and follow the rules and conditions set by the judge. Half of these people had prior dealings with bail agents and half of them had horrible experience. This is not good.
So, armed with this information we set out to develop a means by which people would have the opportunity to locate an “Honest Bail Bondsman”. Yes there are plenty out there, but how do you know?
In the old days, prior to internet advertising, mobile phone websites and all the technology that allows people instant access to bail bond information people would pick up a phone book and call the person with the biggest ad and then go visit them at their office, pay them some money and hope for the best.
We have done somewhat the same thing.. Not really, but, yes, we did our research; We checked with courts, sureties and local attorney’s to find out who was the best bail bond agent in the area and what made them different from the rest. The attorney’s as well as their clients’ wanted, above all, to know that they were dealing with a reputable bail agent, a bail agent who was informed of the laws and was held accountable to a higher standard. A bail bond company who straight up told the truth, had understandable contracts and thoroughly explained the bail bond process.
With this knowledge we set up a program that would allow bail bondsman to become part of our paid directory. Yes it’s paid, but we don’t accept all that apply. A bail bond agent must meet the following criteria in order to be accepted into our Preferred Provider Network.
Steps to becoming a Refer-a-Bail Bail Bond Preferred Provider
The preferred providers of Refer-a-Bail are different. How, you ask? Simple. They are pre-qualified so you don’t have to worry about more than you already have too. There are actual steps a bail bond company has to take before being accepted as a preferred bail bond provider, below are just a few of them.
- Excellent standard of customer service.
- Obvious professionalism.
- Financial strength, backed by a strong surety
- Solid track record with court clerks and jailers.
- No unresolved state and local bail bond association violations.
- No Verified Better Business Bureau complaints.
- No Attorney General issues.
- Member of the Professional Bail Agents of the U.S.
- Member in good standing with either a state or local bail association.
- Returns client phone calls.
These rules with a few minor changes also apply to criminal defense attorneys. Use the steps below to begin your search
To use one of our preferred providers you can either contact them by using our instant bail bond contact form or you can choose one of our Preferred Providers from the main page of the website, select whether you need bail bonds or criminal defense attorney. then select state and then county and you will be taken to a page that lists the Preferred Provider for that area.
If you are a bail agent or an attorney and wish to become part of our network please fill out the following form