Category : How Bail Bonds Work

Orange County Allowing Credit Cards for Cash Bail is Bad Public Policy

Orange County is the latest of several California county jails have made it possible for inmates or their families to pay the full amount of bail with a credit card. Four new kiosks were installed last week at Theo Lacy Jail in Irivine and at the Orange County Central Jail in Santa Ana (OCJ). With these kiosks it will soon be possible to pay a full bail amount with a credit card in order to arrange bail payment without the use of a bail bondsman.

How Credit Card Bail Works

Quite simply, an individual walks up to the kiosk and puts the full bail amount onto their credit card. With a valid credit card, the kiosk company will charge the full amount of the bail plus a service fee. At other County jails such as the Ventura Jail, the amount of the service fee is 7%. Let’s say that the amount of bail is $10,000. That means that the credit card will be charged $10,700.

When the defendant returns to court and the case is complete, the $10,000 will be returned to the credit card. The county as well as the “third party” processing company (unlicensed or regulated by the California Department of Insurance which overseas the bail industry) retain the remaining $700 fee.

Lack of Defendant Oversight

What happens if the defendant does not return to court after they’re released? Who is held accountable? The State? The County? Certainly not the kiosk company. Orange County and other California jurisdictions simply do not have the resources to bring in fugitives. With bail bondsmen, this isn’t an issue. If a bail bondsman is used, then they are on the financial hook for that defendant and will do what has to be done to bring the defendant in to face their charges. The bondsman does not want to pay off $10,000.

Unlicensed Surety

This goes against public policy and state law. The California Department of Insurance has regulations in place to ensure that only licensed bail bond agents profit by posting bail for an inmate. By allowing credit card bail, a “third party” is profiting from the process without having to be licensed by the state.

The Department of Insurance has various requirements for bail agents (known as a “surety”). One of these is the ability to pay off bonds that may forfeit through the use of an underwriter and financial reserves.

Increased Consumer Debt and Hidden Fees

Using a credit card for cash bail can be predatory to unwary consumers. The “third party” entity is only disclosing the fee amount that they charge for bail. What they do not let consumers know is that the consumer are going to be charged a cash advance fee by the credit card company. This could be at least 2%, if not more. Can you afford to pay the minimum monthly payment for such a large sum PLUS the additional interest that is going to be charged? Keep in mind that $10,000 would be a small bail amount in Orange County. Criminal cases often continue for months and sometimes years.

The Bail Industry Works

By using a bail bondsman, the consumer will always know the true cost of bailing out a loved one. Instead of a lot of hidden fees, the fee for bail is 10% of the bail – no more, no less. There are no surprises. Some bondsmen allow for bail payment plans with no interest.

Defendant released on bail with a bondsman return to court in 98% of cases nationwide. The “retail bail” or private bondsman industry gets the job done at no cost to the public.

What kind of “service” is the kiosk to the public? It’s about time the state started thinking about abolishing credit card bail from our jail systems.

How Much Do I Pay The Bail Bondsman?

This is very common question and can be found on Yahoo Answers! where we frequently answer to bail related topics.

Question:  If your bail is set at $8,000, how much do you pay the bail bondsman?

Answer:  Bondsman fees can vary per state, but they will generally range Read more »

Monterey County Bail Bonds

Learning that someone you care for has been arrested can be both stressful and frightening.  In California it’s not uncommon for a defendant’s bail to be set at $25,000 or above.  Even though bail bonds cost just 10% of the total amount of a person’s bail, $2,500 can still be a lot of money to need to pay all at once.

Years ago it was much more common for people to pay for bail bonds in full.  Now, however, most Monterey County bail bonds companies find they need to be flexible with their clients when it comes to finding an affordable monthly payment plan that works within their budget.

Some companies may even be able to offer Read more »

LAPD Cinco De Mayo DUI Checkpoints

The Los Angeles Police Department has announced it will be holding a number of DUI checkpoints at locations throughout the city in conjunction with this year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Celebrated every year on May 5, Cinco de Mayo honors the heritage of Mexicans throughout North America.  It has also, unfortunately, become a night associated with overindulgence and binge-drinking.   The Los Angeles Times has reported the LAPD is requesting party goers remember to designate a driver before heading out to restaurants, bars and parties before the “Fiesta” begins.  The Department further said those pulled over at the checkpoints will be checked for an odor of tequila on the breath.

DUI Checkpoints will take place at the following locations and times:

• Friday May 4,   7 p.m. to 3 a.m
  Vermont Ave.  at 6th St.
  Hollywood Blvd. at Gower St.

• Saturday May 5,   7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
  Cahuenga Blvd. at Broadlawn Drive

• Sunday May 6, 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
  Imperial Hwy. at Main Street

A DUI Saturation Point will also take place on Sunday May 6 between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the area of 77th St.

The LAPD suggests persons celebrating Cinco de Mayo consider leaving car keys at home, pre-arranging taxi service or pre-planning public transportation prior to starting the festivities.   It is also requested that persons who see drunk drivers call 9-1-1 to report them. Other jurisdictions will also be out in force, so play it smart.

Those who are arrested for a DUI in LA, first time offenders are Read more »

Expert Bail Service In Napa County

When someone is arrested in Napa County it generally takes between two and four hours for them to be fully booked into the system.  During this time they will have their mug shots and fingerprints taken, will undergo a national warrant screen and they will have their bail set.  Napa County bail bonds can be posted 24-hours a day so it is prudent to call an expert bondsman as soon as you learn your friend or family member has been arrested.  Getting the bail bonds process started quickly can help expedite their release.

Persons arrested in Napa County will be taken Read more »

How Much Do I Pay For a Bail Bond?

This is a bail related question found at Yahoo! Answers, where we will often give expert advice.

Question:  In short, my boyfriend is in jail and has a total bond amount of $30,000. The court says they will let him go for $3,000 which is ten percent of $30,000.  If I used a bail bondsman will I pay 10% of the $30,000 or 10% of the 3,000?

P.S. He will not skip his court dates as he is very trustworthy.

Answer:  You do not mention which state the bond is for. Bail bonds are regulated on a state by state basis,  so that would be significant information.  However,  in the state of California, where I am a bail bondsman, you either pay the full bail amount to the court, which in your case it would be $30,000.  If you decide to use a bail bondsman then you will pay 10% of Read more »

Choosing A Marin County Bail Bondsman

If you have been notified that a friend or family member has been arrested by Marin County law enforcement, you may be wondering where to turn for assistance.   There are hundreds of companies who offer bail bonds service and trying to figure out who you should call can be overwhelming.

There are several things you’ll want to consider before deciding which Marin County bail bondsman to work with:

• How long have they been in business?
• Does the person you’re speaking with seem knowledgeable about how bail works?
• Will you need to drive to their office, or do they offer bail bonds service via email and fax?
• Do they offer Read more »

Two Bakersfield Bondsmen Shot and Killed

Brandon Sims, and his brother Zachary were reportedly shot and killed Thursday in Bakersfield while trying to arrest a fugitive.

Brandon was a licensed bondsman who worked as Bakersfield bail bondsmen.

The brothers were on Kamloops Drive Thursday, attempting to bring in a client that had skipped bail. Neighbors Read more »

I Cosigned for a Bail Bond and the Person Skipped Bail

Here is another question from Yahoo! Answers where we have provided more expert bail bond advice.

Question:  I cosigned on a bail bond and the person who I signed for skipped town.  He has not been able to be located and the now the bail bondsman  is expecting me to pay the full bail amount. What happens if I am unable to come up with the money? Will I go to jail or will they allow me make payments?  Someone help, what happens now?

Answer:  When signing a bail bond, you are signing a legally binding contract and have agreed to make sure the defendant goes to court.  If the person Read more »

Bail Bondsman In Lake County

Most people have never needed to purchase Lake County bail bonds and are unfamiliar with how the process works.  In the state of California the bail industry is regulated by the State Department of Insurance.   No matter what county a person is arrested in, the rate to purchase a bail bond is 10% of the total amount of a defendant’s bail.  That means if someone’s bail has been set at $20,000 you can expect a bail bond to cost $2,000.

If you have learned a friend or loved one has been arrested it will likely be your first instinct to “call around” to try to get the best deal on a bond.  You will, however, Read more »