A bail bondsman is a professional who provides a financial service to individuals who have been arrested and need to secure their release from jail. When a person is arrested, a judge sets a bail amount that must be paid for their temporary freedom. If the individual cannot afford the full bail, they can seek help from a bail bondsman, who typically charges a fee, usually around 10% of the bail amount. The bail bondsman then pays the full bail to the court, allowing the individual to be released. In return, the bondsman may require collateral, such as property or valuables, to ensure that the person will appear in court for their scheduled hearings. If the individual fails to appear, the bondsman may seek to recover the bail amount by locating and apprehending the person.