Some General Facts to Know About the Bail Process
When a person is arrested and charged with a violation of the law, the most common way they can obtain his release is through posting a bond. The courts will give a figure for the bail; the obtaining of the bond itself is done through a bail bond agent.
The way the process works is that a contract is made between the bond agent and an insurance company (also known as a surety company). The surety company has sufficient assets and guarantees the bond at its full value. The licensed bail bond agent who contracts with the surety company agrees to pay for any losses if the person needing the bond fails to keep any of his scheduled court appearances. An agreement is signed by the defendant (client) or a family member or friend agreeing that the defendant will fully cooperate with all legal proceedings. A fee is charged to the client which is 10% of the bail bond’s face value. A $20,000 bond then would cost the client $2,000 — this is called the premium. When the defendant has fulfilled his agreements with the courts and made all of the required appearances, the bail bond agent is returned their $20,000 bond and the contract is ended.
The bail bondsman places faith in the client that he will in fact keep his agreement with the courts and has a vested interest that this occurs. You may have heard the term, skipping bail. This is when the client fails to keep his agreement and leaves the area violating his promise.
Posting bail is a solution that affords a person the ability to carry on with their life while the legal process is going on. Most will agree that spending time in jail or prison is not the preferred route to take and would be better avoided if possible. It is the bail bondsman’s duty to:
- Arrange the bond transaction so the client can remain out of custody until he goes to court
- Ensure the client goes to court as promised
- Helps locate the client if the client fails to appear in court
- Appears in court in regards to the bond if needed
- Holds any collateral collected as leverage against the debt until the bond transaction is completed.
If you are in need of an experienced bail bondsman in the Los Angeles area, contact Dan’s Bail Bonds.
What Makes Us Different?
We see our relationships with our clients from a two-way perspective; we have to like you and you in turn need to like us and what we have to say. We see it as a relationship of mutual trust. Unlike some of the larger bail agencies who have part-time staffers, some of whom are very impersonal, we are small and private. It is likely that you will speak to the same people every time you call. We like being honest and forthright and if we feel a bond is not the correct option for you, we will say so. We will be discreet and keep your information confidential and can be trusted with sensitive information. We are available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We service the Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Contact a Los Angeles Bail Bondsman at our office and set up an appointment to speak to one of our agents if you are in need of a bond.
