A bail bond is a financial guarantee to the court ensuring that the defendant will appear at all the mandated court dates until the case is over.

The State of California’s Department of Insurance regulates the rates on all bonds. The premium is 10% of the total bail amount and is non-refundable. For example, the premium for a bail bond of $15,000 would be $1,500.

Four basic release options available are described below:

• Cash Bail: To be released on cash bail, the total amount of the bail (not just 10%) must be given to the court in cash. The court holds this money until the case is concluded, providing the incentive for the defendant to show up in court. If the defendant does appear for all court proceedings, the cash bail is returned in full.
• Surety Bond: The most common bail bond is a Surety Bond. It involves a contract with a bail agent who posts a bond for the full bail amount, which financially guarantees that the defendant will show up for all court proceedings. The bail agent typically charges the defendant a premium of 10% of the bail amount for this service.
• Release on Own Recognizance (O.R.): This program is usually offered to low risk individuals with no past criminal record or non-violent offenses.
• Release on Citation (Cite Out): Most people are familiar with this procedure. This is the same thing that happens when a person receives a traffic citation. The citation is usually issued and the defendant is never actually placed in custody. Like the Release on Own Recognizance, it is up to the defendant to voluntarily show up in court on the appointed date.

No. The premium is the Bail Agent¹s fee for posting the bond and is fully earned when the defendant is released.

If and when it is required, collateral can be anything of value that is put up to secure the Bail Bond. All collateral (minus court costs and/or bank fees, if any) is returned upon exoneraton of the bond.

A bail bond is good for only one year. If the court case goes beyond the one year, an additional premium must be paid to keep the bond in force.

Should the defendant fail to comply with the court¹s mandates, an arrest warrant may be issued and bail bonds forfeited.

If not bailed out, the defendant will remain in custody until the court case has been resolved.

Yes, on approved credit. Please call us at (619) 888-6939 to discuss a plan!