Final answer:
Professional bondsmen use their own assets to provide bail, while surety bondsmen are agents of insurance companies using the company's credit. The main differences lie in the source of the bail funds and their relationship with the insurance entities.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing a professional bondsman and a surety bondsman, we are addressing two distinct types of sureties that offer bail for individuals. A professional bondsman typically uses their own assets to cover the bail amount, allowing defendants to post bail directly through the bondsman. In contrast, a surety bondsman acts as an agent for an insurance company, using that company's credit line to secure bail for the defendant. Both types of bondsmen earn money by charging a fee (usually a percentage of the bail amount) for their services.
The key differences between these two types of bondages lie in the source of funds used to secure bail and the relationship with insurance companies. Professional bondsmen are essentially using their own resources, while surety bondsmen are backed by a large insurance corporation, which gives them access to larger amounts of credit. The choice between the two may depend on the defendant's circumstances, the amount of bail, and personal preferences.