How Bail Works

Bail is the temporary release of a prisoner in exchange for security given for the due appearance of the prisoner.

When a person is arrested and charged with a crime they will be required to wait in custody for a sentencing hearing or pay money to be released while waiting for the sentencing hearing. The money required for the release of the prisoner is called bail. It can be paid by anyone, including friends, relatives or bail bonds companies to the jail.

Most of the time, bail money will be returned to the person who put up the money after the trial and is not dependent on the outcome either guilty or innocent. The only qualification for the return of the bail money is that the suspect must attend all court hearings and follows the instructions of the court to check in with a probation officer etc...Almost everyone in the state of California has the right to post bail. In very rare instances, bail will not be an option because of the nature of the crime.

Occasionally, the court extends the prisoner an option to be released without posting bail up front. That's called recognizance. This is based on the suspects past behavior and record. In these circumstances, bail will only be paid if the suspect fails to appear in court or neglects their legal obligations.

When someone has been arrested and accused of a crime, he/she will need to post bail in order to be released. Bail can be posted by friends and family or if the funds are unavailable, a bail bonds agency will put up the money for the bail. When a bail bonds company agrees to post bail, it's called a surety. Bailbusters will post the bail so the suspect can be released.

Once Bailbusters pays the bail fee, a 10% fee is charged to the client. 10% is a California State regulated amount. Bailbusters only collects payment once the trial is complete. Occasionally, the court takes 10% if a bail bonds company is not used. Clients must agree to show up to court and be present at all legal proceedings. Should a client fail to attend any legal proceedings, additional fees will be applied to the bill.

Should a suspect fail to attend a trial or show up for a legal proceeding, we may employ a bounty hunter to locate the suspect. Bounty Hunters are professionally trained employees who locate people who may have skipped out on their court appearance or "jumped bail." The bounty hunter will return the suspect into custody. Should a client jump bail, the fees will reflect the cost used to employ the bounty hunter and thus it proves expensive for the client.

Bailbusters offers bail services all over Southern California. Se Habla Españo. We are available 24/7. Bailbusters Bail Bonds handles felonies and Misdemeanors and provides client confidentiality.

Call 1-800-224-5287