Bail Bond Information & FAQs

"I wish I didn't have to use you, but I'm happy to have found you. You did a wonderful job for us. Thank you." -- Ted in Garden Grove

Questions Often Asked of a Bail Bond Company

I am providing answers to the questions most frequenlty asked of a bail bond company. For additional bail bond information and answers to your specific questions about California bail bonds, please call me toll-free at 877-224-5266.

What Happens when a Person is Arrested?

When an individual is arrested for a crime, the detainee will be taken to a local law enforcement station for booking. After they have been booked, the defendant has options for release, including bail bond, or they may be detained until arraignment and/or conclusion of the case.

For further arrest and bail bond information please see the following web pages:

The Arrest and Booking Process
Options for Jail Release
What happens when the person is Not Bailed Out?

Procedure for Bailing Someone Out of Jail

For California bail bonds, a friend or relative will usually contact a bail bond company by phone. The bail bond company will need basic information such as the jail or location of arrest and the defendant's name. The bail agent you speak with will ask questions to determine if the bond can be approved.

When bailing someone out of jail, paperwork will need to be completed either via email, fax or in person. For most bail bonds, it will be necessary to sign two simple documents. Payment will be arranged. My bail agent can come to your home, the jail or other location that is convenient for you if you choose or we can complete the paperwork by email and fax. The paperwork will be filed, or "posted", with the jail. Generally, the entire process can be completed in less than 1 hour. It is surprisingly fast and simple.

For further bail bond information please see the following webpages:

Bail Bond Cost

The fee for California bail bonds, like most states, is 10% of the total amount of bail. For example, if the bail bond is $25,000, then the fee charged by the bail bond company is $2500. This amount is non-refundable. The California Department of Insurance monitors the premiums charged. The bail bond companies have virtually no flexibility in what they can charge. Only in unusual circumstances should there be any additional fees. Make sure that the bail bond company you utilize explicitly states any additional charges.

Please call me for more bail bond information or to bail someone out of jail: 877-224-5266.

Bail Without Collateral

Most bail bonds written by this bail company are completed with no collateral. I look at many factors such as the length of time at a job, length of time in the community, ability to pay, character, type of crime and other similar factors. These factors are considered for both the defendant and the bond signer.

I realize that not everyone has a perfect background. Basically, I am looking to be assured that the individuals involved will appear for court and have the ability to pay in the unusual and unexpected circumstance of forfeiture.

Sometimes a bail bond company will receive collateral in order to ensure that the defendant appears in court. If the defendant fails to appear for court and is unable to be located, the collateral may be used to pay the court a "forfeiture" of the full bail amount. With my bail agency, collateral, when necessary, is usually in the form of real estate or cash deposit.

If collateral is used to secure a bail bond, it is returned at the conclusion of the case.

Indemnitor Responsibilities

When you bail somebody out of jail, you are the "indemnitor" and you take full responsibility that the individual shows up in court. You are not criminally liable, but you are civilly liable. Simply put, if the individual "skips", you are responsible for the full amount of the bail. Keep in mind, however, that most bail bond problems are easily and quickly resolved. Rarely, do problems escalate beyond a simple phone call.

Failure to Appear

When a defendant misses a court date, we will call the defendant and bond signer to find out what happened. If it was a simple mix-up, then the bail bond company can make new arrangements for the defendant to return to court. This is common and is no problem. Courts know that people get sick, get stuck in traffic and the like.

Video: Skipping Bail in California

If you or someone you bailed out is in this situation, please call us immediately so the situation can be addressed.

When a defendant has a "failures to appear" for court and a warrant may be issued. For a bail bond, this is known as a forfeiture of bail. As a bail bond company in California, we have 180 days (6 months) to get the defendant back into court. If the defendant can't be located, then the bail bond company may need to locate and bring the defendant into custody. Generally when this happens an honest mistake has been made and it will be quickly corrected. If the situation elevates and the individual is evading prosecution, a bail recovery person may be utilized.

When bailing someone out of jail, the two most important points about "Bail Skips" are

Bail Bond Skips are very rare.
If you have reason to believe the person you are considering bailing out may not go to court, please do not bail them out.

Have a special situation? I have the flexibility to meet your California bail bonds needs. Please call to find out how I can help or for additional bail bond information: 877 224 5266 toll-free nationwide.

Tonya Page, Bail Bondsman & Owner

Tonya Page-Rynerson

1-877-224-5266
Free Bail Bond Information, Anytime
License #1843798

California Bail Bonds Service for:

1-877-224-5266
Call toll-free, nationwide