How long does it take for a bail company to exonerate the bail deposit in California? Does 8 months seem excessive?
Typically someone who uses a Sonoma County bail company for a DUI simply pays a premium (much like a car insurance premium) which is NOT returned to the payor, but rather it is kept by the bail company as the price for their services. Usually a “bail deposit” refers to a cash deposit with the court rather than with a bail company; cash deposits are returned to the payor by the court once the court (not the bail company) exonerates the DUI bail following conclusion of the court case in Santa Rosa, typically within 30-45 days of sentencing. However, if a payor makes any kind of deposit with the Sonoma County Superior Court or with a local Santa Rosa bail company, he/she should confirm first with the court clerk that bail was, in fact, exonerated by the court in the particular case for which the deposit was made, and then determine the reason being given for failure or refusal to return the deposit. If you feel that a Santa Rosa bail company is acting improperly, you may wish to contact a
