Good day everyone. I recently signed up for US Law Shield after speaking with a local representative. He said that US Law Shield currently does not offer bail bonds coverage in Mississippi. Other insurance programs do offer bail bonds coverage. I am trying to decide if I need to go with another company that offers this benefit or stay with US Law Shield. My question is, can anyone shed any light on how much one can expect to have to pay in bail if arrested and charged with a crime after a self-defense shooting? I know this is a difficult question because it has a lot to do with the type of crime and the judge issuing the bail amount, but I did not know if some of you out there who may know more about this could answer. Thank you.
Concealed carry insurance/bail bonds
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Speaking only for myself, I use/carry USCCA. I've carried others (e.g., NRA/Lockton) in the past.
Some members on this site might/will say that it's foolish and a $$$ waste to carry SD "insurance" at your expense because we're in Mississippi and because of Mississippi laws.
Maybe. Maybe not.
I'd suggest that you just do your online research and due diligence on the topic.
Some starter web links are here - good luck!
6 Concealed Carry Insurance Options To Protect Your Six (2019) | Gun Digest
5 Things You Must Know About Concealed Carry Insurance | Gun Digest
Some members on this site might/will say that it's foolish and a $$$ waste to carry SD "insurance" at your expense because we're in Mississippi and because of Mississippi laws.
Maybe. Maybe not.
I'd suggest that you just do your online research and due diligence on the topic.
Some starter web links are here - good luck!
6 Concealed Carry Insurance Options To Protect Your Six (2019) | Gun Digest
5 Things You Must Know About Concealed Carry Insurance | Gun Digest
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Good question! I am covered for up to a $1m bond for "Any" circumstances. Had my attorney look at it and it is exactly as it says. "Any". I pray everyday that I never have to take a life no matter what the circumstances. I also pray that if the need arise I use sound judgment and am as prepared as I can be.
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That's nearly impossible to predict. It will be set by (or the equivalent of) a justice court judge. Bond for a felony charge starts at $1,000 and goes up from there. Lots of factors will come into play - criminal history, circumstances of the alleged crime, recommendation/input from arresting officer, etc.
Thank you for all of your responses. I travel a good bit, and I know some areas of this country are not as accepting of concealed carry and the right to self defense as we are here, so I have to be prepared for the fact that I unfortunately have to defend myself, and for some reason charged with a crime, that my family will not have to re-mortgage the house or take out a loan just to get me out of jail. The way I feel about it is like having flood insurance. Sure the house may have never been flooded before, but there is a chance that it could be. And if it does flood, and I don't have the insurance to cover it, then I am left holding the bill for everything.
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694 Posts
All of this is to the best of my knowledge.
First of all you are not getting out of jail in Mississippi without a bail bondsman. Supposedly you are supposed to be able to cash bond out of jail for the full amount of the bail, but I have heard cases to the contrary were someone could not bond out without a bail bondsman. In short the laws are set up in MS to require a bondsman, so they will hunt you down on their dime after they have to pay the full forfeited bail amount.
As far as how much you will have to pay in cash to bond out, it will be typically 10% of the amount set for the bail. Thus, if bail is set at $10,000, you will have to pay $1,000 cash to bond out with the bail bondsman responsible for the full amount if you skip bail. As you might can expect, you don't get this money back. Once trial is complete what ever jurisdiction it is in might require a percentage as service for holding your money and the rest is forfeit to the bond agent. They have to make their money somehow!
I might be wrong, but I think the max amount that can required to bond out is 50% or $100 whichever is greater in MS.
Don't be surprised if bail on murder is set for $50,000 or more, much more, in MS. That is going by memory of news announcements where they announced bail being set.
All this doesn't even touch what a bail bondsman might require as collateral for signing the bond. You might be force to put you car, home, and business at risk as collateral depending on the bail amount. For that matter, a bondsman doesn't even have to bail you out if they don't want to do it.
This bags to question what is reasonable bail as envisioned in the 8th Amendment. Posting high bail for the accusation of murder could financially ruin a person and their family. Not to mention the legal expense and loss of income.
First of all you are not getting out of jail in Mississippi without a bail bondsman. Supposedly you are supposed to be able to cash bond out of jail for the full amount of the bail, but I have heard cases to the contrary were someone could not bond out without a bail bondsman. In short the laws are set up in MS to require a bondsman, so they will hunt you down on their dime after they have to pay the full forfeited bail amount.
As far as how much you will have to pay in cash to bond out, it will be typically 10% of the amount set for the bail. Thus, if bail is set at $10,000, you will have to pay $1,000 cash to bond out with the bail bondsman responsible for the full amount if you skip bail. As you might can expect, you don't get this money back. Once trial is complete what ever jurisdiction it is in might require a percentage as service for holding your money and the rest is forfeit to the bond agent. They have to make their money somehow!
I might be wrong, but I think the max amount that can required to bond out is 50% or $100 whichever is greater in MS.
Don't be surprised if bail on murder is set for $50,000 or more, much more, in MS. That is going by memory of news announcements where they announced bail being set.
All this doesn't even touch what a bail bondsman might require as collateral for signing the bond. You might be force to put you car, home, and business at risk as collateral depending on the bail amount. For that matter, a bondsman doesn't even have to bail you out if they don't want to do it.
This bags to question what is reasonable bail as envisioned in the 8th Amendment. Posting high bail for the accusation of murder could financially ruin a person and their family. Not to mention the legal expense and loss of income.
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13,707 Posts
As long as you have the exact amount, which may include an "SO Fee" - sometimes called a "turnkey fee" (as permitted under Mississippi law) - you can post a cash bond.
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13,707 Posts
Just about any bonding company that's been in business more than 5 minutes will surrender your bond waaaay before you run....
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13,707 Posts
When you use the services of bonding company, you're doing just that - paying for a service. If they require you to pay the 10% prior to posting your bond, you do. Most don't, especially on high dollar bonds. They'll set you up on a payment plan. Of course, when you bond out on that $200k bond, usually about the time you're around 90% paid, they surrender you. Which means they get to keep your money, you go back to jail, and they're no longer responsible for you.
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13,707 Posts
If you post a cash bond, that money goes towards your fines and court costs if convicted. You would then have to make up the difference. If you aren't convicted, you get that money back, minus court costs.
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13,707 Posts
They can charge up to 150% of your bond. Its up to you whether you decide to use that company or not.
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13,707 Posts
You'd be amazed at what some charge for "collateral"
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If you are not convicted, why would you have to pay court costs?
It basically means that you should not have been tried. The cost should be on them---not you.
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13,707 Posts
Remember - you're never found "innocent", just "not guilty". Doesn't necessarily mean you didn't do it, just that they couldn't prove it. I've been saying for 25 years that there's no justice in the justice system. But even though our system isn't perfect, it is the best in the world.
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11,518 Posts
Yeah, I understand the terms, but if I'm not guilty, why should I be forced to pay any court costs?
I'm just not getting it.
Calling the ACLU . . .
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13,707 Posts
Maybe your lawyer is just better than theirs?
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1,572 Posts
I also use USCCA, they have great content in their magazine (top notch).
As to the quality of their insurance, while they share stories on occasion, I've never used it and hope to God I never need to.
Still, offers some peace of mind at a very affordable rate.
As to the quality of their insurance, while they share stories on occasion, I've never used it and hope to God I never need to.
Still, offers some peace of mind at a very affordable rate.
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8,094 Posts
You'll really be screwed up if you call that bunch of anti-gun idiots!!Calling the ACLU . . .
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