A bail bondsman will charge a fee (usually 10%-15% of the total bond amount) for helping someone get out of jail. The accused person must also sign a contract and promise to stick with the judge’s court dates.
Failing to do so will make them a fugitive and trigger a warrant for their arrest. This is why a bondsman will only vouch for someone they know will report as required.
If you or a loved one has been arrested, understanding how does bail work in california is crucial. Here’s when to call a bail bondsman.
1. You Have a Case Pending
Getting arrested is an awful thing to go through. It becomes even more crushing when you find out that a judge has set bail for you, and it’s an amount you can’t afford to pay.
A bail bondsman can help you get out of jail by acting as a third party. He will require that you sign a contract stating that if the accused does not show up for their court proceedings, you will pay them money or give up property (depending on what was pledged when the bond was written).
Make sure you have the full name of the person arrested and their booking number as well as any extra information you can gather regarding this arrest before calling a bail bondsman. Also, be prepared to meet with the bondsman right away at the jail. The bail process can take a few hours to complete, depending on how crowded the facility is.
2. You Have a Case Concluded
A bail bond works as a deposit that guarantees the defendant will show up for their court dates. As long as the defendant remains in compliance with their court requirements and doesn’t skip out on any additional court dates, whoever paid their bail will get their money back. This is true whether they pay the full amount at the court house or use a bail bondsman to front their bail.
Defendants who fail to make it to court will be considered fugitives and a warrant will be issued for their arrest. If this happens, the bail agent will have to pay the entire sum of their bond to the courts. They will also have to return any collateral that was pledged to them.
When a case is concluded and you are no longer on bail, you can call your bondsman to tell them. Be sure to understand your responsibilities before you do so, however. You may be required to submit an affidavit to ensure that you haven’t committed any other crimes and are not on any watch lists.
3. You Are No Longer on Bail
A bail bondsman acts a little like an insurance company. When you sign up for a policy, you pay a premium and the insurance company pays for any claims that come up.
The person who is arrested needs to pay the bond amount which is usually a percentage of the total bond price in order to get bailed out of jail. In addition, the defendant must agree to appear in court for all scheduled court dates or face forfeiture of the bond.
Depending on the situation, a bail bondsman may require a cosigner or indemnitor who agrees to take responsibility for the entire bond if the defendant misses a court date. The cosigner will need to provide a bank statement or other financial documents in order to be approved.
The bail bondsman will also need to check in with the accused before each court date. This helps reduce their flight risk and keeps the bail bondsman informed of any problems.
4. You Are Leaving the State
A bail bondsman can help a person escape jail in an emergency situation. To work with a bail bondsman, you will need to provide the full name of the defendant, the charges they are facing, and some form of collateral, such as cash or property. Bail bond agents usually charge a percentage of the total bail amount. Some require additional conditions, such as reporting in regularly and abiding by court requirements and rules.
Getting arrested is an experience nobody wants to go through. When it happens, a bail bondsman can help speed up the process and make it more affordable. It is important to choose a licensed bail bondsman who understands the local legal system and bonding process. They should be upfront about all their fees and charges and able to explain all of the steps involved in the process. They should also be able to provide you with the paperwork and documentation necessary to get started.