By Melissa Lampert, KHTS Staff Writer
Do you know what to do if someone you love is arrested and charged with a crime? You can turn to the knowledgeable bail agents at All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita for help.
“No one is prepared for that middle-of-the-night phone call from a family member in jail,” said Inessa Chavez, vice president of All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita. “That’s why our bail agents are available around the clock to help you navigate this stressful situation.”
A bail amount is set at the jail referencing the Los Angeles County bail schedule based on the charges. If the defendant can’t afford bail, they have to stay in jail until their court date, according to the Bail Resource Center and Career Academy.
There are several ways a defendant can be released from jail. A cash bond, which is 100 percent of the bail amount in cash or cashier’s check, can be paid to the jailer or court up front. The bond is returned to the person if they show up for all their scheduled court appearances, including judgement day.
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“For many people, the total bail amount is simply too high to pay in full,” Chavez said.
An alternative to paying a cash bond is obtaining a surety bond from a bail bonding company like All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita. With surety bonds, only a premium percentage of the bail amount is paid through a contractual undertaking guaranteed by a bail agent.
The bail agent can not only explain the process to the defendant and their loved ones, they can also post the bond and help make sure the defendant is released from jail in just hours.
“Typically, bail agents charge 10 percent of the total bail amount,” Chavez explained. “However, collateral may be required to help guarantee the defendant appears in court.”
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Once the premium has been paid, documents are signed and information can be verified, the bail agent will post the bond at the jail. The defendant is then released from jail.
“If the defendant fails to appear in court, or if bail conditions are violated, a couple of things happen,” Chavez said. “First, the bail is forfeited by the court and a warrant is issued. Then the bail agent must attempt to locate the defendant and return them to jail.”
In this case, the collateral used for the bond may be used to repay the bail agent, who is forced to pay the court the full bond amount if they can’t locate the defendant within 180 days.
Once the trial is over and all conditions have been met, the bond is fully exonerated, regardless of the results of the defendant’s trial.
“With Us You Are Never Alone”
23360 W. Valencia Blvd. #E
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
661-255-2245
Call Toll Free: 888-755-2245
24 hours a day — 7 days a week
If your loved one is in custody and they wish to talk to an All American Bail Bonds representative, call:
818-990-0003 or 661-267-6777