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When faced with the prospect of paying a bail amount, understanding how much you need to pay will depend on a number of different factors. Let’s show you everything you need to know about how much of a bond you pay.
How Much of a Bond Do You Pay for Bail?
In California, the amount you pay for bail will depend on the specific case and the charges involved. Bail amounts in California typically range from between $10,000 to $100,000. When working with a bail bondsman, the typical charge is 10% of the total bail amount as a premium. Therefore, for example, if your bail amount was on the lower end of the scale at $10,000, a bail bondsman would charge 10% of that, which is $1,000.
What is the Bail Agreement?
The bail agreement is a set of restrictions imposed on someone to ensure they can comply with a police investigation or the court process. It is crucial for defendants to attend all court appearances, and failure to appear can lead to forfeiture of the bail money and additional legal consequences.
The bail process is regulated by specific rules to ensure fairness, with each county having its own bail schedule setting amounts for different crimes, and judges will consider various factors when determining bail amounts, such as criminal record, the severity of the crime, and if they pose a flight risk, meaning if they are likely to flee the state in the interim.
How Does a Bail Bond Work?
A bail bond process works by paying a fee to the bail bondsman as a premium, and once the fee is paid, the bondsman delivers the bond to the court, facilitating the person's release from jail. The full bail amount needs to be secured prior to release, and this could be either through cash, property bonds, or a bail bond.
Do You Pay the Full Bail Amount?
The typical practice when paying a fee to a bail bondsman is that you do not pay the full bail amount, but 10% of the total bail.
The Cost of Bail Bonds
The cost of bail bonds will vary based on the severity of the crime and if a person committing the crime has previously committed an offense. Judges always have the discretion to adjust bail amounts based on these various factors, as well as if there's a threat to public safety. The bail amount is determined based on what is known as a bail schedule, and this lists bail amounts depending on the crime committed.
Crimes are categorized as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions, and each county in California has its own bail schedule. Judges in California have the discretion to adjust bail amounts according to Section 1275 of the California Penal Code.
For example, common misdemeanor charges in San Diego County, including driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, can mean various bail amounts ranging from $2,500 for a first offense to $15,000 for a third offense, and felony charges such as driving under the influence with bodily injury can have bail amounts as high as $100,000.
What Percentage of Bail Do You Pay?
The specified premium is typically around 10% of the total bail amount set by the court; however, bail bondsmen can offer various discounts to make payments easier, such as 0% interest financing.
It's important to understand that when you are entering into a contract with a bail bondsman, you are promising to comply with the law as required while the bail bondsman posts bail on your behalf, and failure to comply with this can have legal and financial consequences. For example, if a defendant fails to appear in court, the court may issue a warrant for their arrest, and not attending court without a valid excuse can result in charges of contempt.
If a defendant does not comply with bail conditions, the bail money posted or paid may be forfeited, and in case a bail bond is used, the person who purchased it may be responsible for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court, and any collateral provided to secure the bond may be seized.
How Much Does a Bail Bondsman Charge?
The cost of a bail bond is typically 10% of the total bail amount, and this percentage is regulated by the California Department of Insurance. Therefore, a bail amount that is $40,000 would mean paying $4,000 to bail somebody out of jail. The fee charged is a non-refundable premium, even if the defendant is found not guilty or the charges are dropped.
This 10% premium is required by law and must not exceed or fall below this percentage, but there are exceptions where certain individuals may be charged with a lower bail amount, as well as the bail bonds company offering discounts and various bail bond financing, for example, 20% off for military, union members, and AARP members, as well as half down and easy monthly payment options.
The Truth About Bail Bond Costs
When discussing bail bond costs, it is essential to remember that the bail bond amount will vary, and while the bail bond process can seem difficult, the reality is that with the right type of support on your side, you can make bail without the financial aspect hanging over your head. Once you make bail, it's important to get your case together and work with a lawyer to clear your name.
If you are wondering how much of your bond do you pay or any other information, you can contact King Stahlman Bail Bonds 24/7 to get the support you or a loved one needs. Bail bond costs can be overwhelming because of the sheer amount required, which is why we provide various discounts and 0% interest financing to make paying bail easier. With the lowest prices and fast, easy payment plans, we can help you in your hour of need. Contact us today and let's support you through the bail bonds process.
