Even those who haven’t had to bail a loved one out of jail with the help of a bail bonding company are probably familiar with the idea. But exactly what is a surety bond, and how can it be used?
Choosing to undertake bail through a bail agent at a company like All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita is the alternative to posting a cash bond at the court.
“If the defendant can afford to pay their entire bail amount up front in cash, the full amount is returned to them after their trial is complete and they have appeared at all required court proceedings,” said Inessa Chavez, vice president of All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita. “Most people can’t afford to do this, so they purchase a surety bond instead.”
The Bail Resource Center & Career Academy defines a surety bond as a contractual agreement between the person undertaking the bail– the indemnitor — and an admitted insurance company that can satisfy the face value of the bond adequately –the bail bonding company.
Related: Bail Bonds In Santa Clarita: What Happens After A Defendant Is Released From Jail?
In simpler terms, this means that the bail agent is guaranteeing the court that they will pay the full bail amount if the defendant misses a court appearance.
“In the case that a defendant skips bail, the court requires the bail agent to pay the full amount of the bond if they are unable to locate the person after 180 days,” Chavez explained. “However, the agent will seek to recover these costs from the indemnitor afterward according to the conditions of their contract.”
In the state of California, the indemnitor is charged 10 percent of the total bail amount– called the premium –in exchange for having the bail agent post the bond so the defendant can be released from jail.
Related: Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita: Entering Your Plea In Court
“If you can’t afford to pay the premium upfront, we do offer payment plans and rebates to those who qualify,” Chavez said. “We can also use collateral to help lower monthly payments in some cases.”
The bail agent returns collateral items, like a vehicle pink slip or the deed to a house, after all court appearances are made and the premium is paid in full.
“At All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita, we can help walk you through the bail bonding process and answer any questions you may have,” Chavez said. “We’re available 24-7, so give us a call anytime.”
Article Source: “California 20-Hour Bail/Recovery Pre-Licensing Education, Volume 1” by the Bail Resource Center & Career Academy
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