San Diego Bail Bonds: 5 Tips From A Bonds Professional

Here are a few tips from a bail bonds professional:

1. How Much Money Should I Pay?

Most retail bail bonds will offer that you pay 10% of the bond fee for the release of the detainee. But, there are some bond agents out there who offer a 5% bond contract. They’re usually the ones looking for a fast buck. As much as possible, stay away from agents or bond companies who don’t follow the standard practices in the bail bond sector. Of course, there are also bond agents who’d offer that you pay on an installment plan. This would give them more room to charge higher premiums over a prolonged payment period.

2. Will I Still Get My Money Back When The Case Is Over?

The rules say that if you pay for the entire amount of the whole bond fee, you can still get your money back when the whole thing is over, whatever happens to the outcome of the case. The bond fee takes the place of the defendant for their temporary liberty while the case trial is going on. Once the whole thing is done, the defendant will be found either guilty or not guilty, then the bond fee can be released and given back.

 
Ordinary folks seldom pay for the entire amount set as bond fee. There are those who can afford and do pay for the entire amount required as bond fee. But, average people who find themselves accused of a crime seldom have the means to afford doing that, so they end up paying for a certain percentage of the bail through the bail bond offered by a bail bond agent. When the defendant opts for this, they won’t be able to get back the money they paid for the premiums.

The bail bond fee is paid so that the defendant won’t have to stay in jail while the case is going on trial. As soon as the defendant is released from the jail custody, the bond fee is deemed to have been fully earned, and, thus, can no longer be refunded. The only way the defendant can get back their money thru a refund is if the bondsman commits a breach of contract.

3. How Does The Bail Bond Process Work?

When a person commits a crime—and car accidents can be crimes—the judge issues a warrant of arrest. After the person named as defendant in a case is arrested, they’ll be booked for physical custody of the jail. The judge will, then, set a hearing date and the amount of bail. If the defendant wants to be released, all they have to do at this point is pay for the bail. It’s usually the defendant’s friends or family who’ll find a way to pay for the bail bond by seeking assistance from a bail bond agent. They sign up the papers and the bond agent posts the bail bond.

The defendant is released from jail custody as soon as the bail bond is posted by the defendant, usually with the help of a bail bond agent. The defendant has to attend all court hearings, wherein their appearance would be required by the judge. The bail bond is just money guarantee that the defendant will attend all court hearings.

4. What Happens If The Defendant Doesn’t Show Up?

If the defendant skips or jumps bail, the bail bond agent will become a ‘bounty hunter’ and look for the defendant until found. The defendant only pays a percentage of the bail. It’s the bond agent who guarantees the whole amount, hence, they’re going to lose a lot of money if the defendant skips bail. There’s usually a grace period during which the bond agent can produce the defendant and not forfeit their money.

But, if the defendant isn’t found and doesn’t show up ever again, then the bail bond company forfeits the money they put up. The court will keep the money. If somebody puts up a collateral as security for the bail bond, the bail bond company will go after this collateral and take over to satisfy the obligation of the defendant. This whole process is intended to make sure the defendant attends hearings.

5. How Soon Can Defendant Be Out Of Jail

The defendant can be out of jail as soon as the bail bond is posted. But, like most, there’s a process to be followed here. The bail bond agent doesn’t have control over the exact time when the defendant or detainee would be released from jail. All they can do is do their best to fill out the paperwork as fast as they can, and bring them to the bond office as soon as possible to start off the process. As soon as the papers are ready, and if everything’s in order, the jail can release the defendant.

Bailing Out

Bail bonds aren’t common practice everywhere. It’s only in the U.S. and the Philippines where bail bond is commonplace. In the U.S., you won’t be able to get bail bonds in the states of Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oregon, Wisconsin, and in the capital Washington, D.C. But, if you’re in San Diego, you might find the tips in this article useful if you need to bail out a friend or family.