The Bail Bond Process
1. The Accused Is Arrested
If someone is arrested in California, they will be taken to a nearby jail for booking and holding. Once they are booked the individual will be held in jail until the time of their criminal trial. Because trials can take months to be completed, Hand In Hand Bail Bonds is here to pay your bail and allow you to continue your day to day life while preparing for your court date.
2. Bail Amount Is Given
Bail is the amount of money that is traded for the release of the accused until the completion of the individual’s trial. As long as they complete their trial, the defendant or payee of the bail will receive a refund of the full bail amount after the completion of their criminal trial. This bail amount is based on the crime that the individual has been accused of committing. Similar crimes receive similar bail amount across California, regardless of which county the crime was committed in.
3. Defendant Wants To Post Bail
For providing the service of pre-trial release, Hand In Hand Bail Bonds charges a premium – a percentage of the total bail amount of 10% in cash on bonds $5,000 and up. Hand In Hand Bail Bonds will charge the premium rate it has filed with the department of insurance and the premium is not refundable.
4. Defendant Calls Hand In Hand Bail Bonds
Because bail is usually several thousand dollars, many defendants cannot afford to pay their bail bond amount on their own. If you cannot afford to pay the bond amount you can either stay in jail or use Hand In Hand Bail Bonds to post bail and be released until their trial date. We will help you stay out of jail and are willing to work with you every step of the way.
5. Defendant Is Bailed Out And Home Safe
Hand In Hand Bail Bonds will provide the defendant with the full amount of money necessary to get out of jail on bail.
Consumer Tips
Warning: It does not make us proud to advise you there are some bail agencies in the community who will take advantage of unknowing consumers. We are proud to say that most bail agencies are honest and fair with the public. Some are not. It is to your advantage to protect yourself and your family by following a few simple bail bonds consumer tips and bail bonds process.
- Make sure you only deal with a licensed bail agent. Ask to see the bail agent’s license and identification prior to any bail transaction.
- Make sure the bail agent charges you only legal rates. The premium charged for a bail bond in normally 10% of the full bail amount. Any additional charges should be itemized and explained to your satisfaction.
- Make sure you are given itemized receipts for all charges.
- Make sure you are given copies of all signed contracts and agreements.
- If financing is provided, make sure you understand the terms of the financing agreement prior to signing and be sure you are given copies of anything you sign.
- Make sure the bail agent you contract with will be available to you after the bail bond has been posted. Part of what you pay for is service. Any professional bail agent will be available for questions or concerns throughout the entire process.
As an informed bail bond consumer, you will have the tools necessary to make the right decisions. Make sure you feel comfortable with the bail agent you choose. Go by your gut instinct. If it feels right, it probably is. If it doesn’t feel right, walk away and call someone else.