The Bail Bond Process in California
When you want to know more about how bail bonds work, it’s often best to start at the beginning. Below is a complete overview of how the bail bond process works in California, starting with an individual’s arrest and ending with their court obligations and exoneration of the bail bond.
1. Booking and Processing
When someone is arrested and taken into custody by law enforcement, their first stop is going to be the closest sheriff or police station. Once an arrestee has arrived, he or she will go through the procedure known as booking and processing.
This process is where fingerprints and photographs are taken and a background check is conducted. It can take from 2 to 8 hours or more to complete. Once finished, bail is set pursuant to the California Bail Schedule in the county where the person was arrested.
2. Bail is Set
The Bail Schedule is used by a panel of judges who dictate bail amounts for various crimes. This allows the jail to set bail for an inmate without first having to see a judge.
Once bail has been set, and they are allowed bail, an inmate can either post bail to get out of jail before their trial, or they can simply wait in custody until their trial date. Since this article is about the bail bond process, we are going to assume you’re interested in bailing someone out of jail, not allowing them to wait in police custody.
3. Call a Bail Bondsman to Get the Bail Process Started
The first thing you should do is to call and speak with a licensed, professional bail bondsman. He or she will ask you a few quick questions pertaining to the inmate and their arrest, and the process is officially begun!
4. *Fill out the Bail Application and Contract
Using the information attained from you by the bail bondsman, a bail application and contract will be drawn up. It isn’t a very long document and can easily be completed via fax or email if you are unable to meet with the bail bondsman face to face.
*The signer of the bond should understand that they are taking financial responsibility for the full face amount of the bond should the defendant fail to meet their court obligations. The signer should be completely confident the defendant will meet all court dates. The bail bondsman will explain all responsibilities prior to the signing of the bail bond contract.
Once the necessary paperwork has been filled out and payment has been arranged, a bail bondsman will be sent to the jail to post the bond. Bail bonds can be posted at jails in California 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, no matter when you decide to begin the bail bond process, your friend or loved one will not have to wait for the jail’s business hours in order to be released.
5. Understanding The Cost of a Bail Bond
Now that you know how the bail process works, you’re probably wondering how much a bail bond costs. The total bail amount will vary depending on the number and severity of the crime(s) that an individual is charged with.
However, no matter how much (or how little) their bail is set at, the cost of a bail bond will always be 10% of the total bail amount. Therefore, if the total bail amount is set at $20,000, the cost of a bail bond will be $2,000.
6. Defendant is Released on Bail
Once the paperwork is completed, and the bond has been paid for, the agent will post the bond and the defendant will be released on bail. It can take from 30 minutes to 12 hours for the defendant to be released once the bond is posted depending on the jail, staff and circumstances of the defendant.
7. Indemnitor Responsibilities
The signer of the bail bond (indemnitor) now assumes financial responsibly for ensuring that the defendant appear in court at each appointed date(s). They should check on the defendant and make sure they fulfill all court dates.
As such, should the defendant fail to meet all of their court obligations, the signer would be required to pay the court the full face amount of bail, whatever the cost may be. Because of this, it is important that the signer only bail out someone that they trust completely.
8. The Bail Bond is Exonerated
Once a defendant has satisfied all of their court obligations, the judge will declare the bail “exonerated.” This means that the court no longer has any financial interest in the defendant and the indemnitor, and neither is financially responsible for anything having to do with that particular case anymore.
It is important to note that, rulings of guilt or innocence as a result of a trial will have no effect on whether or not the bail is exonerated at the conclusion of the court hearings. What matters is that the defendant shows up at the appointed date and time.
If you want to bail someone out of jail, we can help. The bail bond process is a lot easier than you might think, and our consultations are always free of charge. A bail bondsman is available 24/7 to take your call at toll-free, 877-422-4591 or 877-4 BAIL 911.