BY | December 5, 2021

Interested in learning the history of bail in the United States? At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we’ve put together this resource article to offer you some fun facts about the industry.

We’ve also included how it’s possible to get out of jail on bail in the State of California. If you or someone you know has recently been arrested, please note that you don’t have to face this challenging time alone.

Bail in the Beginning

For starters, did you know that the institution of bail is older than the country itself? It's even possible that bail dates back to over a thousand years ago in early England. During this time, it was believed that the sole purpose of bail was to keep the peace. Additionally, bail bond agents were considered friends who promised to pay if the individual out on bail ended up running.

Interestingly enough, the United States didn’t officially start practicing the act of bail until more than a full decade later, after the country gained its independence in 1776.

Are you aware of the first official bail law in America? It was the Judiciary Act of 1789. This act established that bail must be set for all crimes that were not currently punishable by death. What did this entail, exactly? Everyone who was not facing a serious crime, like murder, had to have the opportunity to get out of jail on bail and return home.

It then took another century for the first bondsman to become established. Specifically, this occurred in 1989—and it happened in the State of California, in San Francisco to be exact.

Up until the passing of the Bail Reform Act of 1966, there had been no guidelines created by the federal government as to what bail should officially look like. This new law set into motion that people accused of crimes would now be released freely rather than have to be held unless they posted bail. The initial idea was simple: if people had to pay the court, then they were less likely to flee. Further, this law allowed alleged criminals the ability to get out of jail under the assumption that they would choose to return on their own without any incentive. Evidence could be presented to the court to alter this decision, but it was ultimately left up to the judge.

Then, less than two decades later, the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 was passed by the government. This act stated that it was still possible for someone convicted of a crime to be let out of jail without posting bail, yet the courts would also be able to take into consideration whether the accused was a threat to the community. The judge was given the power to decide whether someone was trustworthy enough to show up for their trial.

During this time, bail not only gave defendants a reason to show up for their trial date but also helped to protect the public from extremely dangerous criminals, those who still posed a threat to society.

The Current Bail System

Today, laws regarding bail in the State of California are the same as they were in the 1980s. Simply put, arrestees can be released without bail if the judge involved in the case believes they are trustworthy and/or not a danger to the community. However, if the judge finds that bail is necessary, then a bail schedule will be used to determine the official bail amount.

If you or someone you know has recently been arrested and professional assistance is required to get out of jail on bail, then you came to the right place!

How to Get Out of Jail on Bail

Once bail has been established, you have the choice to wait for your trial date behind bars or get out of jail on bail. If you are unable to make bail on your own, contact a bond agent—like us—for help. Our bond agents can be reached by calling 800-930-8999. We are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

Our team provides free price quotes, as well as payment plans, and there is rarely a need for collateral. Also, we proudly offer discounts for all members of the military. These discounts are available to all military members —both active and retired—as well as to their loved ones. We can also set up a fast, easy, and convenient payment plan that works best for you

At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we guarantee your complete satisfaction and promise to never share information with any outside agencies. We always practice discretion; our services are completely confidential.

For our agents to set up a bond, we 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 or full the jail is at the time. 

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.

The price of a bail bond is determined by various factors, including location, the nature of the charge, and prior offenses. However, in most cases, the cost of the bond is between seven and ten percent of the bail amount.

When it comes to paying for a bond, we conveniently accept a variety of payment methods for our services, such as:

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

If you don't want to use a bail bond agent for help, here is a list of your other options:

• Pay the court or jail cash, which you will get back fewer fees or outstanding fines due to the court once the case has been completed
• Use a US Treasury Bond
• Use Real Property
• Stay in Jail

If you still have questions or concerns about the bail industry or would like to speak to an agent about securing a bail bond, please contact us today.