BY | August 7, 2024

It’s natural to have questions after the arrest of a loved one, but it’s not always easy to answer them. California’s legal system can feel complex to navigate, especially when it comes to the question of bail and bail bonds. Worse, you don’t have large amounts of time to research while someone you care about remains behind bars. 

The more you know about bail bonds in San Diego, the more quickly you can secure a loved one’s release. In this article, we’ll help you by answering the most frequently asked questions about bail bonds in San Diego. 

1. What is a Bail Bond?

In the majority of California cases, a judge will set a bail amount that the defendant must pay to secure their pretrial release. The only exception to this is in cases where a defendant is a known flight risk or has committed a serious felony such as murder or embezzlement. 

Average bail rates in California are set at around $50,000 to make it more likely that a defendant will appear in court. Most people can’t pay bail amounts this high upfront, so will instead rely on a bail bond. A bail bond is an agreement between a bail bondsman and a defendant, in which a bail bondsman assures the court that they’ll pay the full bail amount if a defendant fails to appear on their agreed trial date. In return, the defendant or their family must pay a set, non-refundable fee to the bail bondsman.

2. What are the Benefits of Using a Bail Bond?

There are many benefits to using a bail bond company in San Diego. Most notably, bail bonds are important for securing release from jail without the need to pay often unattainable bail amounts upfront. This can reduce the emotional distress often caused by spending time in jail, as well as making it easier for a defendant to secure a strong defense in the leadup to trial. 

Other benefits that are possible when working with a bail bond company include – 

• Faster release from jail thanks to 24/7 bonds
• Several payment options to suit your finances
• 24/7 legal advice from experienced bail bond agents

3. How Much Will I Pay for Bail Bonds in San Diego?

Bail bond companies charge a non-refundable percentage fee for their services which, in California, is capped at a limit of 10%. In other words, if your loved one’s bail is set at $50,000, you’ll never need to pay any more than $5,000 to secure their release. 

This is vital for ensuring accessible bail in each case and can make release a reality for any arrested individual. Sometimes in cases with high bail or risk factors such as low credit, a bail bondsman will also require assurances including the use of collateral like real estate, and the presence of a co-signer who will take responsibility for payments if a defendant defects on their contract. 

4. What Are the Payment Options for Bail Bonds?

Paying a bail bond agent $5,000 is significantly more affordable for most individuals than paying full bail amounts upfront. But, what happens if you don’t have $5,000 to spend right away?

Reputable San Diego bail bond companies should offer a wide range of payment options and flexible financing solutions according to your situation. By working closely with such a bail bond company, it’s generally possible to pay half upfront (e.g. $2,500 of a $5,000 bond fee) and arrange affordable monthly payments to cover any remaining costs. 

Trusted bail bond companies also often offer as much as a 20% discount on their fees for military personnel, union members, and even lifetime San Diego residents. Certain individuals may also be eligible for arrangements like 1% bail bonds, which require just a 1% payment upfront.

5. What Can I Use As Bail Bond Collateral? 

Bail bond agents may require the surety of collateral in cases where an individual’s credit is low, or they fail to provide a co-signer. Collateral may also be required if a defendant has a history of failing to appear in court. 

Bail bondsmen will accept various forms of collateral for this purpose, including: 

• Real estate
• Vehicles
• Stocks and bonds
• Valuables including jewelry and artwork
• Electronics such as televisions, laptops, and computer game systems

Collateral should typically be valuable enough to cover at least double the bail bond amount.

6. What Happens if I Break My Bail Bond Contract?

When you sign a bail bond contract, you agree to appear on your arranged trial date, which is what the bail bondsman has provided surety for to the court. If you break that agreement by failing to appear in court, a bail bondsman is at risk of losing the money they paid for your bail. 

Initially, bail bond agencies will employ enforcement agents or bounty hunters to locate you and bring you to court. If bail money is forfeited as a result of your delayed appearance, you or your co-signers will be responsible for paying the full amount and recouping any bail agency costs. In cases where collateral has been used to secure a bail bond, this can also be seized to pay for your bail. 

After breaking a bail bond contract, a judge may set a higher secondary bail amount due to your increased flight risk, which can be incredibly difficult to secure using a bail bond agent. 

7. How Can I Choose A Reputable Bail Bond Company?

Choosing a reputable San Diego bail agent company increases the chances of a fast release. Trustworthy bail agent companies also provide more affordable payment options, as well as offering general legal advice during a difficult time. 

Sure signs of a reputable bail agent company you can trust include – 

• 24/7 availability
• Provable experience with the California legal system
• Positive reviews/recommendations
• Varied payment options
• And more

Here at King Stahlman bail bonds, we offer these benefits and more and are proud to be considered one of San Diego’s best bail bond providers. 

With over 50 years of experience working within the California legal system, and with guaranteed availability 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, our team will talk you through every element of the bail bond process. If you have any further questions or want to know how we can help you with the answers discussed in this article, don’t hesitate to contact our San Diego office online or at 619-232-7127 today.