A Few Facts About Bail Bonds - Sharky & Stephen Bail Bonds

A Comprehensive Guide to Bail Bonds

It’s quite possible you’ve heard someone mention they’ve been “bailed” out of jail, or “bonded” out of jail. Bail bonds can be quite confusing. Actually, bail and a bond are not the same thing. The words are often used interchangeably, and thus people often misunderstand the definitions of bail, bond, and a bail bond.

Bail vs. Bond

Bail simply put is money. It’s a fee that’s paid by the accused to be released from jail. The bond is an agreement between the defendant and the court, whereby the defendant agrees to appear in court on a specific date.

After an accused is arrested, a court officer (i.e. a judge) will stipulate a bail amount on a conditional basis (the bond agreement), or deny the accused bail. Remember, bail is the fee that the accused must pay to be released. The bail will usually be paid by the accused’s lawyer, friend or family member on behalf of the defendant.

Bond Agents

It’s important for citizens to know how to bail someone out of jail, but not every state offers bail. The states that do not offer bail currently are Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.

Bail is often too expensive for the average citizen, and thus the representative of the defendant (family member, friend or lawyer) will contact a bail bond agent on behalf of the defendant. The bond agent will post the full amount of bail on the defendant’s behalf. Essentially, a bond agent offers a payment option for bail. The agent also takes responsibility for ensuring the defendant will honor their bond agreement in exchange for paying the full bail amount.

Selecting the Right Bail Bond Agent

Though the goal of most bail bonds in Los Angeles is to ensure that the defendant honors their bond agreement between with the court, it’s also imperative that the those acting on the defendant’s behalf select the right bond agency for their needs.

Beware of Scams

Unfortunately, there are those who prey on vulnerable people and take advantage of them. Knowing the general fees of bond agents can help you avoid scammers. Bond agency fees are usually between 10% and 25% of the bail fee, depending on the type of crime and stipulations of the defendant’s release. Make sure you understand what your fee pays for.

Researching Bail Bonds Info

If you have asked yourself “how do bail bonds work in California”, then you are on the right path of being an informed citizen. You want to continue your research of reputable bail bond agencies. Check sites like Yelp and Google for reviews. At Sharky & Stephen Bail Bonds, we have perfect reviews and testimonials. 

Bail bonds are often times the type of thing that you have to learn about in a time of tragedy and hardship. Many people have probably heard about bail, but very few people know how the whole process works. First, let’s talk about what bail is. When a defendant is arrested, a judge can release him or her on bail. Bail simply refers to an amount of money paid to the court so the defendant can remain free during the duration of trial. If bail is not paid, the defendant is incarcerated while awaiting trial. Bail is not always an option for a defendant. 

If a judge considers a defendant to be a flight risk or if the defendant has a history of skipping court dates then the judge will typically order the defendant to be held without bail. If bail is issued, typically a bail bond is required to pay it. So what is a bail bond? A bail bond is issued by a bail bond agent.

How Does The Bail Bond Process Work?

A bail bond allows most people to get their loved ones out of bail. When you or a loved one is in need of bail, typically the amount of bail is too much to pay, which is typically when people turn to a bail bond agent. Bail agents usually require a down payment of ten percent and some sort of collateral, which pays the rest of the bail through a bail bond. This allows you or a loved one to stay out of jail while awaiting your trial. Once the defendant shows up for court and the trial has concluded, the judge gives the bail back to the defendant and the bail bond agent. The bail bond agent keeps the ten percent you gave them in exchange for posting up the ninety-percent needed to get you out of jail. 

If the defendant does not show up for jail, the bail bond agent can come after you and attempt to bring you into court. Sometimes this is done through a bounty hunter, though the laws governing this all vary state by state. If you co-sign a bail bond and the defendant fails to show up to court, you may lose whatever asset or assets you put up for collateral, such as a house or car. It’s very important to think carefully about co-signing a bail bond. If you’re looking for trustworthy bail bond agents to work with who charge low fees and work with bail bonds in Van Nuys, CA then head over to Sharky & Stephen Bail Bonds, a top rated bail bond service.

What Do You If Arrested?

Do you know what to do if you suddenly find yourself in trouble with the law for the first time? Who would you call to help you get out of jail? What if you do not have the money for bail immediately available? Getting arrested, especially for the first time, can be quite scary. Having a plan of action in place just in case, could save you and your family a great deal of trouble and money. Before you choose a bail bonds agent, carefully review all the bail bonds information available to you. You can also call us with any questions, at 818-696-1363.

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