Family Bail Blog

Three Things To Ask Your Bondsman

If you have started the process of hiring a bondsman you have probably learned a few things.  The first is that the cost to purchase bail bonds in California is not set company by company.  That rate is regulated by the Department of Insurance (DOI) and it has been set at 10%.  You might also have realized that just because the cost has been standardized, this does not mean that every company provides the same level of service.  How do you sort the good and the bad from the ugly?

Be sure to ask the person you’re speaking with how many years of experience they have.   A brand new agent that has not received a great deal of training is likely to make mistakes. Mistakes can delay the defendants release from jail.  It is important to work with an experienced bondsman who knows how to get someone out of jail fast.

You will also want to hire a bondsman that can help you no matter the Read more »

Expert Bondsman For Drug Charges

No one ever expects a friend or family member will be arrested for drug charges.  If you have been notified that a loved one has been taken into custody you will want to contact an expert bondsman as quickly as possible.  The bail bonds process is not nearly as complicated as you might think.  Working with an experienced local bondsman will help ensure the defendant can get out of jail fast.

When a person is arrested for possession of drugs they will be told they have the right to remain silent and that they have the right to consult with an attorney.  They will then be transported to a local jail in order to be booked into the system.  This process typically takes between 4 and 6 hours.  Bail bonds for drug charges cannot be posted until this step is complete.

This charge can be either a misdemeanor or a felony.  An example of a misdemeanor drug offense would be Read more »

Things To Look For When Hiring A Bondsman

If you have been asked to help get a friend or family member out of jail, you will want to hire a reputable bondsman.   Many people will start this search based on price.  They begin calling every agency in the book and asking what their bail bonds fee is.  Several calls later they realize the cost to purchase bail bonds in California is set according to state law.  All companies may be required to charge the same, 10% rate but this not to say that every bondsman is created equal.

The first thing you will want to learn is what their availability is.  Many companies offer 24-hour service but there are some that only operate during standard business hours.  You will want to be sure to hire someone who can help you right away.

A second thing you will want to inquire about is Read more »

Tips For Hiring A DUI Bondsman

California has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country.  If someone you know has been arrested for this charge you will want to reach out to DUI bondsman as soon as you learn they have been taken into custody.

Every county has different policies when it comes to persons who have been arrested for DUI.  In Orange and Los Angeles counties, for example, first time offenders will often be held for several hours so they can sober up.  At that point they will be released on their own recognizance (OR) or will probably be cited and released.  Other counties will always require a bond be posted.

On the other hand, if the defendant was driving more than 20 mph above the speed limit, has Read more »

You May Not Need To Arrange DUI Bail Bonds

My roommate was arrested a few hours ago and has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.  He’s currently being held in one of the Los Angeles County jails.  It looks like his bail has been set at $5,000.  He has never done anything like this before, and our concern is that a bunch of us are all supposed to fly out for a vacation later this afternoon.  I called a DUI bondsman and he told me that he isn’t going to need a bond and that the jail will release him on his own recognizance (OR), but this could take up to 8 hours.  If we purchase DUI bail bonds will this speed the process up?  We want to get him out ASAP.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to get the jails to move any faster.  When a person is arrested for a basic first-time DUI they will be taken to a local jail and will be booked into the system.  The booking process often takes between 4 and 6 hours.  People who are arrested for DUI may be held between 8 and 10 hours in order to Read more »

Online Domestic Violence Bail Bonds

No one ever expects they will be asked to help arrange domestic violence bail bonds for a friend or family member.  Domestic disputes take place in many families.  They can happen between both unmarried and married couples.

You may be surprised to learn that hundreds of Southern Californians are arrested on this charge every day.  Police departments in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and Ventura counties are hyper-aware that these types of disputes can turn into something serious.  The high-profile Simpson court case is still fresh in many people’s minds.  If law enforcement officials come out to a residence to investigate a domestic disturbance, 99.9% of the time one of the parties will be taken into custody.  This might happen even if the two parties are just arguing loudly. In the eyes of police it is better to separate the two individuals right away instead of having the situation potentially escalate into something more dangerous.

When someone is arrested and charged with this offense Read more »

What Defendants Should Know About Appearing In Court

When a person is released from one of the California jails through the help of an expert bondsman that is not to say their legal troubles are over.  They will still be required to go to court in order to have their case decided.  One or more hearings may be required depending on the nature of the crime the defendant has been accused of.

People who are bailed out of jail will typically have their arraignment pushed back by about 30 days.  This allows the defendant additional time to prepare their case, to consult with legal council if they so choose and to make sure they can return to court dressed in an appropriate manner.   The clothes you choose will say a lot about you.  If you come in wearing baggy pants and a baseball cap this will communicate a much different message than if you walk in wearing slack, a dress shirt and a tie.  A good rule of thumb is to dress as you would if you were attending a job interview.

Another important thing to remember is that you will Read more »

Bail Bondsman For Cyber Crimes

Anyone who use a computer as a means of engaging in criminal activity could be charged with cyber crimes.  These types of offenses include but are not limited transmitting classified information, identity theft, Internet sex crimes, computer hacking, Internet fraud, phishing, cyber-stalking, online child pornography and others.  More and more offenses are being added to this list every day.   People who are convicted on this count could face probation, jail or prison time, fines and even loss of employment.

In California, this offense is charged as 1030 PC.  If you have been notified that someone you has been accused of cyber crime the first thing you will want to do is remain calm.   You will then want to begin the process of hiring a trustworthy California bondsman.

The cost to arrange cyber crimes bail bonds will be Read more »

How California Bail Is Set

One of the most common questions a bondsman will receive relates to the defendant’s bail amount.   Many people want to know why it has been set as a certain level.  What if the defendant has never been in trouble before?  What if they are a respected member of their church?  If someone drives down to the jail is it possible to negotiate a lesser amount?   The answer to that question is no.

When a person is arrested they will be transported to the local jail to be booked into the system. During this time the jailer will pull out the county bail schedule and will cross check the charge the defendant is facing against it.   The bail schedule is set each year by a panel of judges and it provides guidelines in terms of which amounts are to be linked to varying crimes.

Bail is set based on the nature of the crime the defendant is being accused of.   It does not matter if they are a medical student, soccer mom or a member of the clergy.  For example,  Californians who are accused of domestic battery will often have a bail of Read more »

Credit Card Fraud Bail Bonds

Few people will ever find themselves in a position where they have been accused of credit card fraud.   In the state of California, this offense is charged as 484i(c) PC and it is a very serious.

Credit card fraud charges most typically arise when a person willfully uses a lost or stolen card to by personal items.  In other cases it can be assigned when someone obtains a charge card by using someone else’s personal information.   It does not matter whether the fraudulent use takes place at the counter of a retail store, over the Internet or by phone.

Credit card fraud is a felony.  Persons who are convicted on this charge will face steep fines, will need to pay restitution to the credit institution, jail or prison time and will also need to Read more »