How Bonds Work

When you are looking at an alternative to a cash bail, you are most likely looking at posting what is called a “surety bond.” What are surety bonds and how do they work? This is a process that involves a contractual undertaking guaranteed by an admitted insurance company, which has sufficient assets to satisfy the face value of the bond. The bond seller then provides a guarantee to the court that they will pay the value of the bond - minus a 10 percent premium which is paid upfront by the defendant - if the said defendant fails to appear at the regularly scheduled court hearing.

The 10 percent premium is usually considered a fee you pay to the bond seller for the risk he is taking with the transaction. The process of posting a bond usually involves a relative or friend of the arrestee contacting a bail agent, who is licensed by the State of California to post these surety bonds. Please be assured that the bail agent will not post the bond without undertaking a detailed interview involving family, friends and the arrestee.

Collateral

Collateral is usually property such as jewelry, a home, car, boat or motorcycle that is handed to the bail bonds agency to financially back up the rest of the bond in case the entire bond must be paid by the bail bond agency. That situation occurs only when a defendant fails to show up for a scheduled court appearance. Collateral is usually converted to cash to pay for the bond if the defendant is a no-show and if 120 days have passed without a new court date. However, collateral may not be necessary on most bail bonds. Qualified bail agents will only request it on a case-by-case basis.

The Process

Once bail agents reach an agreement with the arrestee’s representatives, they post a bond for the amount of the bail to guarantee the arrestee’s return to court. After the defendant has completed all court appearances and the case has been closed, the bail bond will be dissolved and any collateral given to the bail bondsman will be returned shortly afterward.

Andale Bail Bonds

We are a bail bond specialists who know and understand Los Angeles and Riverside County court and jail systems and how local law enforcement agencies work. We have the contacts and the resources to get you out of jail fast. If you or a loved one has been arrested and need to be bailed out of jail, call us right away. We are at your service - 24/7.

Southern California Bail Bonds Disclaimer: This California Bail Bonds website is for informational purposes only. Andale Bail Bonds serves all of the Southern California Counties including Los Angeles County, Riverside County, Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County. Andale Bail Bonds are experts in all your California bail bond needs. We are available 24 hours a day to answer all jail and bail bond questions.

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