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Q. What does a bail agent do? A. When someone is arrested, an indeminitor (usually a family member of friend) will use the services of a bail agent to obtain release of the defendant. The bail agent will usually ask for 10 percent of the full bail amount as security to obtain the release. For example, if the bail is $5,000, the premium (the amount paid to the bondsman) will be $500. In addition, the indeminitor may be asked to provide proof that they are able to pay the entire bail amount if the defendant "skips bail" (fails to make all the required court appearances, not just the arraignment) The bail agent is, in effect, lending the indeminitor $5,000 for a fee of $500, There generally is no refund with the services of a bail agent are used. Q. What is bail? A. Bail is money deposited with a bail bond agent or the court to get an arrested person temporarily released from custody. It serves as a surety (guarantee) that the arrested person will make all of his or her required court ...
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While this article describes a criminal case, Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorney Dale Emch also handles personal injury, workers' compensation and dog bite injury cases. Attorney Emch describes the bail bond process in his most recent "Legal Briefs" column in the Toledo Blade. Dear Dale: A relative of mine is facing criminal charges. The judge has set a bond of $50,000 and said something about "no 10 percent allowed." Does this mean my relative has to pay the entire $50,000 in order to get out of jail before his trial, or does he have other options? ANSWER: Your relative has some options, but exercising them won't be cheap. To understand the situation, it might be helpful for you to have a little background about bail and how it works. Judges set bail in order to give someone a financial incentive to come to trial and the preliminary court proceedings. If the defendant doesn't show up, the person can lose the amount of the bond he or she posted in order to be released from jail. ...
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The bail bond is a contract between the bail agent (bondsman), the courts,and the person posting the bail (co-signer). The bail agent is the person who is responsible for the defendant showing up for all their court appearances. Money is required by the court as an incentive to keep the defendant from fleeing once released. The bail agent gets a portion of the bond as their fee. Notes or other collateral are required to make sure that the bail agent will get paid. The amount of money required for bail is set by the court and is dependant on the severity of the crime as well as how much of a flight risk the defendant is. The bail agent gets a percentage of the bail amount decided by the judge for that particular defendant. The bail agent provides a guarantee to the court that the defendant will appear in court when summoned by the judge. The defendant will also have to check in regularly with the bail agent. Bail bonds are granted when a family member or friend contacts the bail agent ...
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The posting of a bail bond is a contractual undertaking guaranteed by a bail agent and an individual posting bail. This bail agent provides a guarantee to the court that the defendant will appear in court each and every time he or she is summoned by the judge. A relative or a family friend contacts the bail agent, before the defendant is released, to arrange for the posting of a bail. The bail agent gets a percentage of the amount decided by the judge for that particular defendant. By signing the agreement with the bail agent regarding posting the bail, the defendant or the co-signer, who might be a relative or a family friend, must provide a guarantee that the bail amount will definitely be paid in full if the defendant fails to appear at the summons. After an agreement is signed, the bail agent posts a bond for the amount of the bail, to guarantee the defendants return to court. Some bail agents prefer to have the defendant or the co-signer arrange for a collateral.
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Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Someone is arrested and let's say their Santa Clarita Bail Bonds is set at $100,000. Bail bonds companies charge an industry standard 10% fee that is regulated by the Department of Insurance. Be careful of any bail bondsman advertising a 5% bail. It is illegal in the State of California to advertise this. Most times, this advertisement ends up in a "bait and switch". Bail Bondsman advertising the 5% bail can loose their license.
The fee for a $100,000 bail bond is 10% and would be $10,000. That fee is the bail bond premium paid to the bail bondsman. This fee covers all the costs and services for bailing your loved one out of jail. You do not get the $10,000 back. That is the cost to get someone out of jail and has nothing to do with whether or not the person is guilty or innocent.
The main purpose of bail is to allow the defendant, who hasn't been proven guilty yet, to be free from jail while their case is ongoing so that they can continue to work, lead their normal life, and prepare their case without being in jail.
Depending on the charge, bail amount, and credit worthiness of the defendant and the indemitor, it may or may not be necessary for the bail bondsman to collect collateral.
Collateral is a physical guarantee that the person will appear in court. Collateral may include but is not limited to credit cards, cash, or a deed of trust. After the defendant has appeared at all of their court dates and the premium has been paid in full, the collateral will be returned to the person that deposited it. The purpose of collateral is to give the bail bond company added security in the event the defendant fails to appear and the indemnitor refuses to pay the full bail amount. In the event that the defendant flees and the indemnitor fails to pay, the collateral will be used to pay the court.
The court system will set the amount of bail required for the defendant's release. Under state law, a surety company can provide a type of insurance policy or "bond" that guarantees payment of the full bail amount to the court if the defendant does not show up for all scheduled appearances. These bonds are offered by licensed bail bond agencies. For supplying these bonds, bail agencies charge a premium - a percentage of the total bond amount, typically 10%. By way of example, for a bond amount set at $50,000, the premium would be about $5,000 plus any additional fees required by the state. The bail agency must charge the premium rate it has filed with the Department of Banking and Insurance.
How Do Bail Bonds Work?
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