By Jessica Murray
Unless you or someone you know has been arrested, you might not know what type of bail bond will work best for your situation. Surety bonds are a convenient option to consider if you ever find yourself the suspect of a crime.
Going to a bail agent for a surety bond is often the best option for most because, in addition to allowing the defendant to be released from jail within a few hours, once the the premium has been paid or the payment options arranged, surety bonds also allow the defendant to be walked through the process by a bail agent.
In the state of California, bail agents charge 10 percent of the total bail amount, known as the premium cost of the bond. In some cases, collateral may also be required.
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The process for arranging a surety bond with a bail agent is relatively simple — all that is needed is the defendant’s full name, jail location, booking number and charges.
“Most people don’t have the money to post a cash bond with the court, so a surety bond is often the best option,” said Inessa Chavez, vice president of All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita. “You would only need to pay the bail agent 10 percent of the bail amount instead of the full cost.”
The defendant must be present for all court proceedings — including their judgment hearing — and must meet any conditions set by the bail agent in order to fulfill their bail contract without any violations.
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“It is in the bail agent’s best interest to find the defendant and return them to custody when a client skips bail,” Chavez said. “If the defendant cannot be found within six months, the bail agent will be responsible for the full amount of the bond.”
Chavez continued, “At All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you may have and explain the bail bonding process. Just give us a call.”