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A Complete Guide to the Process of Posting Bail

August 6, 2019 by thehoth

No one wants to find their loved one behind bars. And yet, arrests are happening all around the country at an increasingly higher and higher rate. If your loved one is in police custody, the thing you likely want more than anything is to see them back home.

If you haven’t had previous experience with the bail system, you might not know how it works. It may seem complicated or confusing to navigate, especially in this stressful and emotional time.

With that said, understanding how posting bail works can be the key to getting your loved one back to safety and comfort as soon as possible. Read on, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the bail posting process.

Understanding Bail and Bail Bonds

If you are unfamiliar with the bail process, it’s best to go over the basics first. Bail is a sum of money set by a judge. Each state has it’s own bail system, and paying the bail amount allows an imprisoned person to go free until the date of their trial.

Bail is set to help ensure that a person will return for their trial if they get released from prison. Several factors go into setting the amount of bail, including the severity of a crime and an individual’s past criminal history.

Bail amounts can often be quite high. This is so the individual in question does not forfeit the money and avoid showing up at their court date. Many courts have pre-set bail amounts assigned to various offenses.

In some severe cases, a judge may decide that an individual should not have bail granted and must remain behind bars. This, however, is a rare circumstance.

Bail is usually paid during office hours at the courthouse or after hours at the jail itself. You can use cash or check to pay bail, and can also pay it by putting up property worth the full value of the bail.

Last but not least, you can pay it via a bond, which is a guaranteed payment of the full bond amount. But where does one get a bail bond?

What Is A Bail Bond?

Bail sums are often so high that families have a hard time affording them. In these situations, a bail bond can be a huge help.

What is a bail bond? It is a time of surety bond provided by a bond company or bond bail agent. In this situation, a bail bondsman covers the bail on behalf of the family and secures a quick release. In return for this service, a bondsman will charge a small fee (usually around 10% of the bail).

In most cases, the family or friends of a loved one will need to provide payment or collateral upfront to secure a bond. After this payment, a bail bondsman will contact the courts and get the individual released.

If the defendant fails to show for their court date, the family will be responsible for the full bail amount. The bail bondsman might also use the services of a bounty hunter to bring a defendant back for their court date. A bail bondsman might also be able to sue if a person does not show up for their court date.

Conditions of Bail

There are a few legal conditions that surround the bail process. On one side, there is the Eighth Amendment, which protects arrested individuals against excessive bail amounts.

The Amendment states that government entities, such as the state or county, cannot use bail to raise money for the government. They also cannot use bail to punish a person for committing a suspected crime. This does not necessarily stop some judges from setting very high bail amounts, but the severity of the case must be a match for the bail number.

Bailed-out individuals must comply with given conditions of release. These conditions might vary from state to state, and it’s important to inquire about your local specifics. Violation of these conditions can send an individual immediately back behind bars.

Common conditions include ‘obeying all laws,’ but there may be more specific conditions placed on an individual. For example, if a person gets arrested for abusing their partner, a likely condition would be for that person to stay away from their spouse while released.

O.R. Releases

There are a few instances where the release of an individual may not require bail. These releases are ‘O.R. releases,’ or an on their own recognize release.

An O.R. release will send an individual home as long as they promise to show up for their given court date. Most individuals request an O.R. release, but only those that the courts consider low-risk will find such a request granted by a judge.

If a defendant has strong ties to a community or a low-chance of feeling, they are more likely to obtain an O.R. release. Employment and a lack of prior criminal record are also helpful in securing such a release.

These factors are also a contributing factor in deciding what the bail amount will be set at for an individual.

The Process Of Posting Bail

There’s no worse situation then finding a loved one behind bars. But if you’ve found yourself in such a situation, you must understand the above information about posting bail. Taking the proper steps can ensure the return of your loved one to a safe and comfortable environment.

Have more questions? Give us a call anytime for assistance.

8 Surprising Facts About Bail Bonds That You May Not Know

July 11, 2019 by thehoth

When you’re arrested and facing police custody, you want to be as informed as possible. This isn’t the time to second-guess your rights or wonder about what your next steps look like.

To that end, we’re out to set the record straight on a few industry misconceptions. Along the way, we’ll share some interesting insights and facts about bail bonds that you may not know!

Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.

1. Voters Will Determine the Future of CA Bail

In August of 2018, California passed a bill to abolish cash bail for suspects awaiting trial, following decades of conversation around the topic. Then-Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into action, and it was set to go into effect in October of 2019.

However, those against the bill lept into action, spearheading a referendum campaign to repeal bail reform legislation. They submitted a petition of more than 600,000 signatures to elections officials in support of their cause. Now, there’s a stay on the bill until the November 2020 election, when it will be on the ballot for voters to decide.

2. Your Bail Bond Agent Can’t Lower Your Bail

The fees for your bail bond aren’t at the mercy of your bail bond agent. Instead, California state law predetermines those amounts.

Think you’re getting a great deal because your agent advertises that he can waive those fees or make them lower than the state mandates? Think again. In these cases, you’re partnering with an untrustworthy agent whose tactics are far from sound.

It’s best to call a bail bondsman who knows the law at both a state and national level. This way, you know your rights are preserved, and you’re following the correct procedures.

3. You Aren’t Guaranteed Bail

Yes, the 8th Amendment to the United States Constitution states that everyone has a right to reasonable bail. However, the court can deny you bail if you commit certain capital or violent crimes, including:

First-degree criminal or sexual conduct
Murder
Armed robbery
Kidnapping with the intent to extort money or valuables

If you’re denied bail, the judge will state the reason for this decision on your record. In most cases, the state denies bail because the defendant is too high of a flight risk, and there is a significant concern that he or she will not show up in court.

4. A Judge Sets Your Bail

The purpose of bail is to ensure that you show up to your court hearing. As such, a judge has the final say in how much bail you’ll pay. Those considered flight risks or who commit egregious crimes may pay a higher amount.

Think the amount you’re asked to post for bail is unfair or unreasonable? It’s within your rights to appeal it, as the law deems that it cannot be excessive.

In most cases, it’s wise to partner with an attorney who can help you petition the judge to lower the amount. While you may be able to argue your case alone, the process is complicated, and it’s helpful to have a legal expert on your side.

5. You Can Get out on Your Own Recognizance (Sometimes)

In some situations, a California judge may O.R. a defendant. This means letting them out on their own recognizance without requiring bail money.

When does this happen? If the judge deems you a stable member of the community who isn’t a flight risk, you’re more likely to see this as an option.

6. It’s a Big Deal If You Jump

Think you can skip your court hearing and get by with a slap on the wrist? It’s important to take this obligation seriously. If there is evidence that you received notification of the hearing and chose not to show, you’ll find yourself in hot water.

The state will issue a new charge against you, and there will be a new warrant out for your arrest. Bail jumping could even put you in contempt of court in some cases.

In the state of California, being in contempt of court can lead to a jail sentence, fines, and/or community service. In addition, you’ll lose any bail money you’ve already paid out.

The bottom line? It’s not in your best interest to skip town.

7. Bail Comes With Conditions

Once you’re released from jail on bond, you may think you have immediate and total freedom! That isn’t the case. Rather, you’ll have to follow myriad conditions and restrictions until your day in court.

These may include:

Wearing an ankle monitor or another tracking device (travel restrictions)
Checking in with law enforcement at periodic intervals before your trial
Ceasing contact with those involved in or witness to the crime
Not possessing a weapon of any kind
Submitting to regular drug testing
Abiding by local curfew laws

While not every person will follow all of the above guidelines, these are a few of the examples that you may encounter.

8. There’s Always Help

We understand that an arrest is scary and intimidating. That’s why our experienced, insured, and certified bail bondsmen are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The reality is that arrests don’t always happen in the 9-to-5 timeframe. No matter the hour, there’s bail assistance on the way. Rather than sorting through your options the moment you need them, go ahead and have a professional team of experts on standby that you know you can call.

Remember These Facts About Bail Bonds

When you’re arrested, you’ve got a lot to think about and plan for. Find a bail bondsman you can trust shouldn’t be an extra burden on your shoulders.

This is where we come in.

With more than 15 years of experience serving the state of California, our bail agents are reputable and reliable. We know the U.S. bail laws forward and backward, with client feedback that speaks for itself.

5 Things To Do To Get Instant Bail Bond Approval

May 14, 2019 by thehoth

Over 10 million people are arrested each year in the USA.

At some point in your life, you may be faced with the dreaded 3-am phone call from your friend or relative in jail.

Receiving a late night call from your loved one is worrisome, especially when it involves handing over thousands of dollars.

If they are stuck in jail and expect you to help them out, then a bail bond is the answer. After reading this article, you will know everything you need to know about bail bonds.

Learn about how to bail someone out of jail with a bail bond so that you can help your loved ones.

What Is A Bail Bond?

A bail bond is an amount that is set within 48 hours of an arrest. This amount is paid in order to get a defendant out of jail. However, there are certain conditions that a defendant must fulfill before he/she leaves jail.

Coming out of jail on bail is important for various reasons. The defendant can get some time to prepare himself/herself for the case. They can work on their defense in order to appear before the judge.

In addition to this, they can go back to work and resume their job. The post bail time can be spent taking care of your children and family which is essential.

In a worst case scenario, if you end up in jail serving for a long time, bail can help you in making important legal arrangements.

As soon as your loved one is arrested, try to know about the bail bond amount and get them out of jail. The following information can help you in understanding the process of how bail bonds work.

Types Of Bails

There are two types of bails that you can opt for depending on the case.

A cash bond means that you have to pay the amount in full. In some cases, a cash bond is expensive due to the amount that you have to pay.

Surety or bail bond is set for crimes that are severe like felonies. In order to get a person out of jail, you need to pay a high amount and often need the assistance of bail bondsman.

If you find yourself in type 2 then you need to look for bail bondsman near you. A bail bondsman helps you in covering the balance. Bail bond ensures that you will be present at the future hearings.

These frequently asked questions about the bail bond can help clear your concerns.

5 Things To Do To Get Instant Bail Bond Approval

There are some pros and cons of getting professional help or representing yourself in court. But before you dig into this stuff, you need to come out fo the jail to prepare yourself.

Make sure you are familiar with the conditions and terms of bail bonds. Bail bond agents jobs also include helping you throughout the process. If you are unable to think of options to get someone out of jail then following are some useful tips that can help you in getting instant bail bond approval.

Know Your Options

If your loved one is in jail then there some options that you might consider. These options will help you in understanding the intensity of the crime and will determine the course of action.

Learn about the case and decide the path accordingly. Knowing your options would also help you in making an informed decision. As someone’s life is at stake so you need to prepare yourself.

Pay The Full Amount Of Bail Directly

If you are thinking about paying the full amount to the jail directly then this can be your safest option. There is a chance that your amount will be returned once the defendant has pleaded the case.

If you can manage to pay the amount then you can consider this. Otherwise, if the amount is too much and you are unable to pay it then hiring a bail bondsman is your best bet.

Hiring A Bondsman

Hiring a bondsman can be another option that you can consider. The working of this option is quite different so you need to pay attention. For this, you need to pay a percentage fee of bail.

This varies and the range is 10% to 15%. It depends on the country as well as your credentials. Once you have paid the amount you will not get the money back. The percentage of the bail goes to the bail bondsman as their fee.

They pay the fee to the jail and the inmate is released. If the defendant shows up at the court hearing, the bonding company gets the money back.

Otherwise, the co-signer is considered liable to pay the amount to the bonding company. Get familiar with items accepted by bail bond agents.

Make Sure That The Defendant Shows Up

If you are paying the full amount directly to the court, you need to make sure that the defendant would appear at the court hearing. If he/she does not or fail to show up at the court then this might create a problem. Talk to them so you are sure about this.

Qualify As A Co-Signer

If you are signing the bail bond then there are certain requirements that you need to fulfill. These requirements would help you in getting money for bail instantly. Following are the things that you need to have in order to be able to sign the bond.

A valid driver’s license
Proof of residence. For this, you need to provide them recent utility bills or you can also give them a lease agreement.
Proof of income and this can be determined by giving them 2 recent pay stubs.
25 years of age.

Act Fast

As someone’s jail time is at stake you need to be quick. This isn’t a game of Monopoly, there’s no ‘Get Out Of Jail Free’ card.

The amount is determined within the 48 hours of arrest so arrangements to pay the bail bond can be made.

Have fast instant bail approval by contacting us. We can help you with getting your loved ones out of jail.