Bail Hotline Bail Bonds

Information Is Power...

We got the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regaurding bail and the process behind it.

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What is a bail bond?

A bail bond (surety bond) is a financial guarantee to the court that the defendant will appear in each and every court appearance as the court directs. Failure of the defendant to comply with the conditions of the court could result in warrants issued and bail bonds forfeited.

What is the Premium?

In Southern California, the cost of the bail bond which is called the Premium is generally 10% of the total bail amount.

For example, if bail is set at $10,000 the premium would be $1,000. This is the amount charged by the bail bond company to put up the bail bond for the full $10,000 so that your friend or family member can be released. You do not get this money back. The premium is fully earned upon the release of the accused.

What is Collateral?

Collateral is money, property, etc. that you deposit with the bail bond company. The collateral is held until the bond is exonerated and the premium has been paid in full.

In many situations, we will not require collateral. Often times, people own homes but do not want to sign on them. We take a quick application to determine if we can do this for them.

What is an Indemnitor or Cosigner?

An Indemnitor or Cosigner is a person who agrees to be financially responsible for the full amount of the bail bond in the event the defendant fails to make a court appearance and cannot be returned to court. An Indemnitor is responsible for paying any bail bond costs incurred as a result of the defendant missing a court date. If there is more than one Indemnitor on a bail bond, they are jointly and severally liable. This means the money could be collected from one or both of them.

Where can I get a bail bond?

You can get a bail bond by calling our toll free number at (800) 957-2245. A licensed bail agent will confidentially discuss your individual situation and assist with all of your bail bond needs.

What hours do bail agencies operate?

Because people are arrested both day and night, most bond agencies are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Please feel free to call us anytime at 1-888-GET-BAIL.

What if I am calling from out of the area or another state?

If you are out of the area or live in another state and you have a friend or family member in custody, it is still possible to obtain a bail bond.  The bail bond contract can be faxed to you and payment can be received by credit card or wire transfer. Call us at 1-888-GET-BAIL to discuss your individual situation.

How much does a bail bond cost?

Most bail bond premiums are ten percent of the full bail amount.  For example, if the full bail amount is $10,000.00, the premium (fee) for the bail bond is $1,000.00. These fees are established by the surety companies and regulated by the Department of Insurance.

Is the bail bond premium refundable?

Once the bail bond is posted and accepted by a court or jail, liability is taken on the bail bond. At that point the bail bond premium is fully earned and is not refundable.

How long is a bail bond good for?

A bail bond is good for one year. If the case goes beyond the one year, the premium must be paid again in order to keep the bail bond current.

Who is liable for the bail bond?

The indemnitor (co-signer) is financially liable for the bail bond.  The indemnitor’s liability is limited to the full face value of the bail bond.

What if I have additional questions?

If you have additional questions not answered in this FAQ page or if you want to obtain a bail bond, please feel free to call or email us anytime. A qualified bail agent will be happy to answer all of your questions and assist with all of your bail bond needs.