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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
To better serve our customers and those referred to us, we have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions, and answered them right here.
WHAT IS A BAIL BOND?
A bail bond can be described the same as a promissory note that has the same face value of the bail set forth by the court pertaining to the charges of the alleged crime. This bond is an instrument that ensures the courts that the individual in which the bond was posted on behalf for will appear at all the mandated court dates that the court requests of that individual until such time the case is over.
WHERE DO YOU POST A BAIL BOND?
Any State or County facility that allows bail to be posted. There will be additional charges, due to different state laws and pricing for other states outside of California.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF A BOND COMPANY?
Most bond companies are open 24 hours 7 days a week 365 days a year. Our family owns and operates our companies, which consist of four family members operating around the clock for your convenience.
WHERE DO WE GO TO OBTAIN A BAIL BOND?
You may come to anyone of our offices that is convenient for you or we can come to your home. Your convenience is most important to us. If you have small children and it is late at night you may not want to bring your children out. In this case it would be better for us to come to you.
WHAT IF YOU'RE OUT OF STATE OR OUT OF THE AREA IN WHICH THE BOND NEEDS TO BE POSTED?
You may undertake a bail bond by Fax and phone. Applications can be faxed to you and the premium can be paid by credit card. All documents must be faxed back prior to any bond being posted on behalf of the individual who is being detained.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A PERSON TO GET OUT OF CUSTODY AFTER THE BOND IS POSTED?
This depends on the state or county facility in which the individual is being detained. County Jails: When a bond is posted at a county jail it can take between 4-12 hours before release of the individual after the bond has been posted. City Jails: When a bond is posted at a city jail and after the individual's fingerprints have been verified it can take 30min. to 1 hour for release after the bond has been posted. If the individual has gone to court that same day you request help in bonding them, remember that the information may not be available at the county jails until the following morning. It depends on the volume of people processed that day. Los Angeles for instance processes up to 6000 inmates per day.
WHEN WILL WE KNOW THE CASE IS OVER?
When the individual who is out on bail and the court has agreed to what action will need to be taken for restitution of the alleged crime. *Sentencing *Case is dropped *No charges filed *The court made a mistake. When the case is over the liability is therefore gone. Therefore the collateral is no longer required.
WHAT HAPPENS UPON SENTENCING?
The bond is exonerated; it is no longer in force, which happens at the time of sentencing. In other words until such time when the court no longer request any further court appearances from the individual regarding this case. This means that an agreement has been reached between the individual and the court.
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY FOR THE BOND?
Since the bond is the same as a loan that you would apply for at a bank or any financial institute the same criteria would be basically the same. *How much is the bond? *What are the charges? *Who is the guarantor or indemnitor (Person signing on behalf of The individual who is currently in custody.) *Stability (How long at residence and on their job) *Ability (Can the bond be paid in full if the individual should run From the law to avoid prosecution.) *Willingness (Does the guarantor or indemnitor have good credit and own assets that can be considered available for liquidation if the individual should disappear.) *What is the integrity of the individual that has been charged with a crime. Such as: Do they have any prior arrests. If so for what? Do they have a job, family, etc? * Are they an American citizen? Do they have a passport? (Remember all criteria depends on the nature of the alleged crime and the amount of the bond.)
IS THE PREMIUM REFUNDABLE?
No. It is not refundable. This is the cost of doing business in which a bond needs to be posted on behalf of an individual who has currently been charged with a crime.
HOW LONG BEFORE COLLATERAL IS RETURNED AFTER THE CASE IS OVER?
Once we receive written notification from the court that the case is over and the bond is exonerated we have 30 days to return collateral or request for reconveyance on recorded deeds of trust.
ARE BAIL BOND COMPANIES ALLOWED TO USE YOUR COLLATERAL?
Absolutely not! You're collateral has to be in safekeeping or in a trust account under a fiduciary trust.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU SIGNED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL AND THAT PERSON DISAPPEARS?
You have signed a binding contract if in the event the individual forfeits the bond for non-appearance and they can not be found in the six months the court allows, then the full face value of the bond is your financial responsibility and is due on demand. Remember you are financially responsible for all cost relating to this bond.
ARE ALL BAIL BOND COMPANIES THE SAME WITH A GOOD REPUTATION?
No! If the bonds person is offering you any other deals other than the ones mentioned on this Question & Answer page they are violating the law in which their license are regulated. Buyer bewares. BEWARE: If the deal is too good to be true and the rate in which you may have been quoted is not the 10% or 8% this could mean trouble ahead of you.
i.e.
Thrown back in jail before 1st court date for non-compliance.
Threatened by loan sharks.
Muscled by thugs hired to scare you.
Civil action taken against you for balance of bond premium. (Judgement)
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A BAIL COMPANY?
This is a personal choice. It depends on what type of environment you prefer. If you prefer a safe environment knowing that the people are trust worthy, being a 'Christian' would comfort me and honesty and integrality. Someone of the same attributes and values that you live by, a person who is trustworthy such as a financial adviser, doctor or attorney handling any of your personal affairs. Remember you have just chosen someone that you have entrusted your valuable property, your love-ones future and you have just provided some very personal and confidential information to. What kind of person would you entrust with all of this? Look for Qualities such as:
Safe Surroundings
Professionalism
Honesty
Integrity Reputable (Licensed)
Confidentiality - Remember your first impression is probably right. It takes only 9 seconds to make an impression.
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