Do You Need a Co-Signer (Indemnitor) for a Bail Bond?

BY | January 13, 2022

In this article, the skilled and professional team at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds has put together important information regarding the role of an indemnitor. Additionally, we’ve highlighted the entire bail process in the State of California and what to expect should you find yourself or someone close to you needing bail assistance to get out of jail.

What is a bail bond Indemnitor?

You may not be familiar with the term, “indemnitor.” This word refers to an individual who co-signs a bail bond agreement to help get a person released from jail. If you have a loved one currently behind bars (the defendant), then you may choose to act as an indemnitor. In doing so, your loved one can wait for their trial date from home, even possibly work and continue with everyday activities.

Simply put, an indemnitor is needed during the process of securing bail for protection—protection for the bail bond agency putting up the bond. It’s believed that the defendant released on bail is less likely to flee to avoid penalizing their co-signer. Further, this indemnitor vouches for the defendant and takes responsibility for getting them to pay fines and go to court.

After bail has been granted and the defendant released, an indemnitor can still request to be removed from the bail bond. The indemnitor may talk to the bail bond agent at any time they feel like the defendant is planning on fleeing. When an indemnitor opts out of the bond, they relieve themselves of any financial and/or criminal obligation.

If the defendant does flee and skips their court date, the financial responsibility of the bond will belong to the indemnitor. Though an indemnitor won’t face any sort of criminal charges (unless they’ve played a part in the defendant’s escape), they can receive civil fines from the court.

Typically, every bail bond must be signed by three people: the defendant, the bail bond agent, and the indemnitor. The indemnitor is often a family member, friend, or someone else close to the defendant.

In some cases, personal property can act as collateral when obtaining a bail bond without a cosigner. The bail bond agent will hold onto the collateral, only returning it once the defendant has appeared in court.

Every circumstance is different. If you are curious about yours, feel free to reach out to a bail bond agent at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds by calling 800-930-8999. By learning more about your specific situation, we can better outline the steps you need to take to get out of jail on bail.

How Does the Bail Process Work with an Indemnitor?

After the arrest has taken place and the defendant is taken to a holding facility, the booking process will begin. This bookkeeping process includes being fingerprinted and having a mugshot taken. It is then that the specific charges are confirmed, bail is established, and court dates and times are set. This entire process can take a few hours to complete, depending on how busy or full the jail is at the time.

If 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 (the indemnitor).

For the bail bond 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 bond agent will bond the defendant out of jail. This entire process can take several hours, again, depending on how busy or full the jail is at the time.

Remember, if the defendant fails to show up to his or her court proceedings, the indemnitor 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.

At 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, we offer free price quotes, as well as payment plans. There is rarely a need for collateral. Additionally, we offer discounts for all members of the military. These discounts are available to all military members —both active and retired—and even to their loved ones. Discounts vary depending on circumstances (for example, the nature of the case), but we guarantee that we can beat anyone's bond price for military members.

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 choose not to use a bail bond agent for help, these are your choices:

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

There are different types of bonds, including:

Cash Bond—Bail is paid for in full with cash, a certified check, credit or debit card, or a 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

During that initial phone call, we can determine which type of bond is best for you and your needs.

Contact 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds Today!

We understand that this is a challenging, confusing time. We are here to help you move on with your life, without judgment or criticism. Our bail bond agents always keep our client’s information safe and secure. We provide discrete, confidential services and never share information with any outside agencies.

Don’t forget: We offer fast and easy payment plans. In many cases, collateral isn't even needed. We'll beat most advertised prices, can be reached 24/7 by phone or online, and offer military discounts on bail bonds.

If you still have questions about the role of an indemnitor, contact us today. Additionally, please reach out if you are confused about the bail process or would like to secure a bail bond immediately.

Testimonials

"I recently used the bail bonds services in Santa Ana, CA. Not only was my bond agent quick to fulfill my needs, but also very understanding and informative. I wasn’t judged or criticized—just simply helped out of a tough situation. My bond agent answered my questions and even made me feel comfortable and at ease, despite the grueling circumstances. I don’t plan on getting into any more legal trouble, but if I do, I will contact them again. This team is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and experienced. I highly recommend their services."

Testimonial

"Though I’m not proud to admit it, I recently got into some legal trouble in Santa Ana, CA, which resulted in my arrest. I was scared and confused at first, even unsure of what to do next. However, I contacted 24 hour bail bonds and I’m so happy I did! Not only did a professional and experienced bond agent help get me out of jail, but I was also given insightful information on what to expect moving forward. I was never judged for my actions, only given a second chance. I’m so thankful and cannot recommend their services enough. Thank you!"

Testimonial

"When you find yourself in trouble with the law, the last thing you want is to feel alone. After getting arrested in Santa Ana, I made the decision to call 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, and I’m so glad that I did! Not only did my bail agent get me out of jail fairly quickly, but I was also told exactly what to do next and what to expect with the process of moving on with my life. Thank you so much! This extremely professional, experienced, and judgment-free team made an awful situation significantly better. I don’t know what I would have done without them".

Testimonial

Contact Bail Bond Services in SoCal

Facing arrest can be quite devastating for you and your loved ones. We also understand how scary and uncertain circumstances can be when in jail, especially when you are unsure how soon you can leave jail. During times like these, you want a professional bail bonds agent to handle your matter so that you can be free in a short amount of time.

If you are looking for the best bail bonds service provider in Southern California, the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds is the top choice for you. We have integrated online services with standard bail bond procedures to post bail on behalf of our clients. Our agents also understand the need for prompt action after you contact us.

Therefore, you can expect to receive timely bail bonds services in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino. You do not have to stress about the bail release process after an arrest. Instead, give us a call today at 800-930-8999, and we will offer you quality bail bond services and at a low cost.