How Do Bail Bonds Work

Understanding how bail bonds work is very confusing for most people. In the simplest form, a person gets bailed out, makes all of their court appearances, the judge exonerates the bail bonds. The information below explains the different steps of the bail bonds process that most people experience.

HOW BAIL BONDS WORK PRIOR TO RELEASE

BAIL AGENT OBTAINS INFORMATION FROM CALLER

We receive a phone call from either the person in jail or someone they know.
Obtain name and phone number of person calling
Obtain name and location of person in custody
Get bail amount and charges if known

BAIL AGENT CALLS JAIL TO GET BAIL INFORMATION

Bail agent gets necessary info to write the bond which includes bail amount, charges, court, appearance date and booking number.
Finds out when arrestee will be eligible for release
Finds out when the arrestee will be transferred to court or the county jail if not bailed out.

BAIL BOND COST & PROCESS EXPLAINED, QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Bail agent explains how much the bail bond will cost and ask if they have a way to pay the premium which can be paid with a credit card, cash, check, PayPal, etc.
We do not accept car titles for payment of the bail bond premium.
If someone can’t pay the full amount, we will try to negotiate a payment plan that will work for them.

ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE TO HAVE BAIL BOND AGREEMENT SIGNED

The bail bond agreement typically needs to be signed before the bail bond can be posted. Most bail bond agreements are signed in person either at the bail bond office, jail or some other mutually agreed upon location.
There is no charge to send a bail agent to the person who is going to sign.
The bail bond documents can be signed electronically if necessary.
The bail bond can be approved with just one signer but an additional signer may be necessary.
Payment is usually collected at this time.
Receipts are given for any payment collected
Court date is provided on bail bond receipt
Copies of all documents signed are provided

BAIL AGENT PERSONALLY DELIVERS BAIL BOND TO THE JAIL

The bail bond has to be physically taken to the jail.
The time it takes for the person to get released is typically 15-60 minutes at a local jail or 3-8 hours at a county jail.

HOW BAIL BONDS WORK AFTER RELEASE

ARRESTEE IS RELEASED

Arrestee signs bail bond agreement
Arrestee provides any necessary information for bail bond application
Arrestee is free to leave the jail

COURT APPEARANCES

The sole purpose of a bail bond is to guarantee that the defendant shows up to court each and every time he/she is required to.
Clients can sign a waiver (PC § 977) that allows their attorney to appear for them on misdemeanor charges.

PAYMENTS

Whoever signs the Bail Bond Agreement is responsible for making sure the premium is paid in full.
The balance due has to be paid as promised even if the bail bond gets exonerated (released) by the court before the balance is paid in full.

BAIL BOND EXONERATION

The bail bond guarantees the defendant will appear in court as required up until the time judgment is pronounced, meaning the defendant is sentenced.
If no charges are filed at the arraignment, there is a 15 day statutory period that allows the district attorney additional time to file charges. If charges are not filed within 15 days of the arraignment, the court is required to exonerate the bail bond.
The bail bond will be exonerated if the charges are dismissed at any time during the proceedings.

There is limited information about how bail bonds work but this provides a good overview.