How does a bail bondsman earn money?
In much the same way as an insurance company earns money. A bail bond is basically an insurance contract paid for by an arrested person to get out of jail before trial. The person pays a premium for the bond based on the amount of the bond. If the person shows up for trial, the bondsman keeps the premium. But, if the person skips town the bondsman will have to forfeit the entire amount of the bond to the state of federal government. It works like life insurance only instead of the insurer/bondsman paying the face amount of the policy on the death of the insured, the bondsman pays it on the faiure of the person to show for trial.
