In this article, the skilled and professional team at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds is going to help give you a little more detail and insight into the bond industry—specifically, as it pertains to the State of California.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our goal is to not only help inform you about the bail industry but also clear up any confusion and/or false information.

It’s important to understand that mistakes happen. These mistakes do not have to define you or your life. We are not here to judge you or criticize you. We only want to provide valuable resources that will help you move on with your life.  

As such, we’ve put together a list of questions that typically arise when the bail industry is discussed. These questions, also known as “Bail Bonds 101” have been listed (and answered) below. Take a look!

What Is a Bail Bond?

If a defendant wants to get out of jail before his or her court date, then the amount of bail that has been set must be paid in full. If the defendant cannot afford to pay the bail in full on their own, then he or she will have to wait in jail until the court date arrives.

However, defendants can pursue a bail bond via a bail agent. Many defendants who cannot afford bail on their own often choose this option, as they’re only required to pay a portion of the total bail. This portion can be paid by a family member or friend. The bail agent puts up the rest of the money, allowing the defendant to get out of jail.

Think of a bail bond as a type of insurance product. This product creates a three-party contract between the defendant, the cosigner of the bond (that friend or family member), and the bail agent.

How Is Bail Set?

In most cases, bail is set by the judge of the case during the defendant’s first court appearance. This is referred to as the “arraignment stage.”

The judge has the option of setting bail, releasing a person without bail (also known as releasing a person on their own recognizance), or denying bail altogether.

Factors taken into consideration include the nature of the crime or offense and if this is the defendant’s first time in legal trouble.

How Do Bail Bonds Work?

Bail bond agencies (like ours) generally are open and available 24/7, as arrests can happen during any time of the day or night. Once it’s been determined that a bail bond will be used to get the defendant out of jail, paperwork will need to be signed. This paperwork details the collateral used to purchase the bond, the fees involved, and who is responsible for ensuring the defendant shows up to all court proceedings.

For the bail agent to set up the bond, the agent will need the full name of the defendant, the booking number, the charge or charges the defendant is facing, and the location of the jail. Then, the bail agent will bond the defendant out of jail. This entire process can take several hours, depending on how busy the jail is.

If the defendant fails to show up to his or her court proceedings, the person who took out the bail bond stands to lose their collateral and faces additional penalties.

What Are the Different Types of Bail Bonds in California?

There are myriad types of bail bonds in the State of California, including:

  • Cash Bond—Bail is paid for in full with cash, certified check, credit or debit card, or money order
  • Surety Bond—A surety bond refers to when a family or friend contacts a bail bond agency to help get a defendant out of jail via a bond
  • Property Bond—Property is pledged to the court on behalf of the defendant, much like a lien, and held until the end of the case
  • Own Recognizance—When a judge allows the defendant to be released from jail without bail
  • Federal Immigration—Federal bonds are necessary when a defendant is detained by the Immigration and Naturalization Service; these bonds have the highest bail bond fee percentage

How Much Does Bail Bonds Cost?

In the State of California, the price of a bail bond is determined by the location, method of payment, and specific charge. However, in most cases, the cost of the bond is between seven and ten percent of the bail amount.

Please note that when it comes to bail bonds, we offer free price quotes and payment plans.

How Can Someone Pay for a Bail Bond?

When it comes to the specific method in which you want to pay for your bail bond, at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we accept the following types of payment:

  • Credit Cards
  • Debit Cards
  • Cash
  • PayPal
  • Venmo
  • Zelle
  • Bank Transfers

When you make a bail bond payment, you can do so online or over the phone—whichever is more convenient for you.

Is Collateral Necessary for Bail Bonds?

In the State of California, most bail bonds do not require collateral. However, there are exceptions when the case involves identity theft, embezzlement, and sex crimes. Additionally, out-of-state bonds and out-of-state warrants will also often require collateral of some sort.

Is Personal Information Kept Safe?

In a word, yes, all of our client's personal information is always kept safe and secure. We provide discrete, confidential services and never share information with any outside agencies.

We know how challenging this time can be for you and your family—remember, you don’t have to face it alone! We want to make the bail process as smooth and easy for you as we possibly can. One way to do that is with reliable and factual information.

Learn more about our team and what we can do for you. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns you may still have, or if there is a confusion of any kind. We want you to feel comfortable and knowledgeable moving forward.