Bail Bondsman Definition

A professional agent for an insurance company who specializes in providing bail bonds for people charged with crimes and who do not have the money necessary to post the entire bail with the court. Bail bondsmen usually charge a fee of 10% of the amount of the bond. The offices of a bail bondsman are usually close to the local courthouse and jail, and some make "house calls" to the jail or hand out cards in court. (See also: bail)