How to Choose a Bail Bondsman in California: A Primer

Being charged with a crime can be a traumatic experience.  For those unfamiliar with the process, it means an arrest by police, followed by a booking procedure at a police station.  At a minimum, being ‘booked’ means fingerprints and a ‘mug’ shot of the accused are taken, and personal possessions are confiscated.  Then the individual is placed in lockup pending a court hearing.

That hearing will determine whether the accused will stay in jail until trial, or be released on bail. Bail is the process by which the judge determines an amount (based on the alleged crime and risk of flight) that will allow the accused to be set free while awaiting trial.  If the accused can pay the required amount, then that individual is considered to have ‘posted bond’.

Most people do not have the kind of cash on hand that is required to post bond.  That’s when a company that provides bail bond services is needed.

A California online bail bonds company will front the cash the accused needs to get out of jail.  Often those in need of such services do not have the luxury of time; they find that a close relative or friend is in custody, and they want that person released as soon as possible.  So little time is spent researching companies that offer bail bonds, even though not all companies provide the same quality service.  However, with a little bit of homework online, one can be more likely to have a positive experience and see that family member or friend out of jail in a timely manner.

Movies have given the bail bonds industry a bad rep (remember Midnight Run with Robert De Niro?). Seedy looking operations and tough bounty hunters trying to track down convicts who have ‘skipped bail’ make for entertaining films, but the truth is that those in the business of offering bail bonds are financial management companies that have to abide by strict state regulations.  Bail bondsman have to take a pre-licensing course and apply for and pass a California state licensing exam.  They must also pass a criminal background check. They cannot operate without being insured.

Those are the basics you should expect from a bail bondsman in California.  But here’s some other things to consider:

• The cost. Most bail bond companies in California charge 10% of the bail amount. So, if a client’s bail is set at $50k, then typically the charge is $5k.  That $5k is the company’s fee and is not returned.  In exchange, the company is on the hook for the full amount if their client does not show up for trial.

10% may seem high, but beware of companies offering cheaper rates.  Some companies advertise rates as low as 1%, but you must read the fine print; 1% is merely a down payment, the rest of this premium will still be owed later.

One other thing about price.  Bail bond companies are in the risk management business; they need to be able to collect the full amount if a client skips out on them.  As a result, clients may be required to provide collateral, such as the title to real estate holdings or automobiles, stocks and bonds, or even jewellery, in order for the bail bonds company to agree to provide the cash.    

• Reviews. Like many services and products today, check online for reviews of bail bond companies being considered; what are past clients saying about them?  Were they responsive, reliable and discreet?  Did they make mistakes, and did they own up to them?  Were there any hidden costs clients were not first made aware of?

• Better Business Bureau. Check the company’s profile at the Better Business Bureau.  Is the bonding company an accredited business with the BBB? (‘accredited’ meaning they met the BBB’s strict standards for advertising, selling and customer service).  Also, what is the company’s BBB rating?  Keep in mind that BBB ratings are not determined by customer reviews, rather they’re based on public data sources that consider complaints received by the public (number of, if and how fast they were resolved).

• Extra Services. Will a company representative come to a client’s home for a consultation?  Are they available 24/7 bail bond company in California? Will they drive the accused home following their release? Are there any other services the company provides, such as private investigation, that one might be in need of?  In other words, is the company a one-stop shop?

Requiring the sudden help of a bail bonds company can be very stressful.  However, with a little research, clients can be more confident and satisfied with the company they do hire. This is so that they can concentrate on other things, such as being reunited with their loved one or friend, and working on a proper legal strategy for their defense.