Bail Bonds in Brentwood, CA

Bail Bonds

When a suspect is arrested, he or she will have to spend time behind bars while the motion for a bail hearing is granted. Things could go south even further if you or your loved ones have no immediate cash available to post your bail bond, which will allow you temporary freedom. Unless the offender can produce the required amount, or unless he or she can get assistance through a bail bondsman, he or she is not allowed to get out of jail until the court hearing. Fortunately, there is a way out of your predicament: You or your family can seek help from a bail bondsman who can post your bail in court to allow you temporary liberty. As is usually the case, lots of offenders have to remain behind bars until their next court hearing just because they do not have enough cash stashed away somewhere, ready at their disposal.

The Bail Bond Explained

A bail bond is a surety bond that is provided by a bonding company to help secure the release of an arrested person so they can await their court hearing outside of jail. Depending on the backlog of cases, the judge may not be able to take your case in weeks or months.

Also known as surety bonds, a bond is executed to ensure that the accused will appear in court for his scheduled criminal proceedings. In this form of surety, the defendant has to present his or herself before the court during the trial and agree to pay the fines and penalties that come with the charge. However, the judge needs a guarantee that you will appear in court to face your accuser; hence, the need to post bail.

The same justification applies with the civil bail bonds. In this form of surety, there is guarantee that debts, interests and other costs charged against the defendant will be settled.

Why do I Need a Bail Bond?

If you can afford to post bail on your own, you certainly don’t need to hire a bail bondsman. For one, they ask a small fee for their service, not to mention the collateral for what is certainly classified as a loan. That is considered reasonable, considering that the company is also taking some risk in putting up the bond. State laws and regulations guarantee that you are not being overly charged by your agent. In any case, you need not bother yourself with the financial calculations now. Your most immediate concern is to get yourself out of jail, and a trusted bondsman can make that happen.

In nearly all states, the bondsman will collect about 10-20% of the total amount of the bail. But now that you’re free on bail, you can appear before a judge in civilian clothes. The next thing you know, you are back in the care of your family.

While you do not necessarily need to look angelic before a judge, you certainly will want to look responsible at the very least. You still have to attend your court hearing though. In contrast, when you are out on bail, you can dress smartly and make a good impact on the court. Appearing in court hearings while wearing a jail jumpsuit when you are trying to prove that you are innocent is definitely not very helpful.

For good measure, the bail bondsman will also give you tips on how to impress the judge. Sometimes, this works to reduce your bail amount.

How Does the Bail Bonds Process Work?

In case you get arrested and charged with an alleged felony, the first thing that you must do is to contact a good lawyer and someone, perhaps the lawyer himself, who can connect you to a bail agent to start the bail bonds process. We have a shortlist of names that have proven themselves out in the field. You can visit the office of the bail agent, you can set a schedule over the phone or even complete the transaction online. Upon your approval of the deal, the bondsman will take care of handling all the formalities to secure your release. As soon as your bail is authorized, you can once again enjoy your freedom as you are released from jail.

What Information Should I Have When Contacting a Bail Bondsman?

Your bail agent will need to gather the following details either from you or your representative:

• The full name of the defendant
• The name of the jail the defendant is incarcerated in
• The booking number
• The charges
• Any other relevant information you can think of

Collaterals That are Permitted by Bail Bond Companies

Property collateral gives bond companies the assurance that the client is borrowing money in good faith and that he intends to pay back in the future. If you are strapped for cash, the properties or personal belongings you can serve as collateral. An inmate, after all, is a flight risk and there have been countless transactions when the bonds company will hire a bounty hunter to bring back the fleeing suspect.

But what is considered as collateral? If you own any of these, consider yourself blessed as these are usually accepted as collateral:

• Real estate
• Cars
• Credit cards
• Stocks
• Bonds
• Jewelry
• Personal credit
• Bank accounts

The bail bonds process does not have to sound complicated, and rest assured that there are bonding companies willing to serve your needs anytime. But this is why there are bonding companies that you can rely on to be at your beck and call, whatever time it is. He or she will welcome the opportunity to get you or your loved one out of jail. For a company that stays true to its commitment to serve your best interest, freeing your loved one is a priority.