Bail Bonding Agent

It is common for families and loved ones to not know what to expect regarding bail bonds or how to hire a bail bonding agent until someone they know is arrested. As such, they often ask the same questions about bail bond service, the bonding process, and the associated costs. Throughout this website, our family of bail bond professionals at Lopez Bail Bonds have provided various resources to help you through this difficult time.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions regarding hiring and bail bonding agent and the bail process.

  1. What should I know before I contact a bail bonding agent?

There is certain standard information that most bail bonding agents will need in order to quickly and effectively help you. Generally speaking, you should know the name of the jail where your loved one is being held, as well as their full name and booking number. In most cases, the agent can get the booking number for you, but it is always helpful if you have this information on hand. You’ll also want to know the amount of the bail. Again, if you do not know this information, the agent can request the details from the jail. Knowing this information will allow the bail bonding agent to tell you the amount it will cost to post bond and the requirements to get the person out.

  1. Do I need a bail bonding agent to be released from custody?

There are several ways that a person can be released from custody. First, you can hire a bondsman. Second, you can post cash for the full amount of the bond directly with the court or jail. Third, you can use real property as collateral with the court. Lastly, you can ask the judge to let the defendant go on his or her own recognizance.

  1. Do I get my money back when the case is over?

In almost all cases, you will not get your premium back that you paid to the bail bonding agent. In Southern California, the bond premium is 10 percent. It is a nonrefundable amount that the bail agency receives in return for putting up the bail to release the defendant. It is also important to note that agencies that accept lower premiums are acting illegally, and should put their reliability into question.

  1. What types of items can a bail bonding agent accept as collateral?

While each bonding office is different, some of the most typical examples of collateral include: real estate, cars, stocks, bonds, jewelry, credit cards, personal credit and bank accounts. Depending on the type of bond, our team at Lopez Bail Bonds does not always require collateral.

  1. How much does it cost to bail someone out of jail?

Each situation is different. You should contact a bail bonding agent at our office to discuss the specifics of your situation to learn the costs involved.

  1. What is the difference between a bond amount and a bond premium?

A bail bond amount is the full amount of the bail that was set by the court. The premium, on the other hand, is the amount owed to the bail bonding agent. As previously mentioned, in California this fee is 10 percent of the bond amount. For example, if the bond amount is $50,000, the premium owed would be $5,000.

Bail Bonding Agents

These are just a few of the most common questions we receive when a new client is looking to hire a bail bonding agent. For the answers to other frequently asked questions, be sure to explore the FAQ section of this website. As always, if you have specific questions, do not hesitate to contact our team of experienced and knowledgeable bail bonds agents today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to meet all your needs.

Founded in 1956, Lopez Bail Bonds is a locally owned, family operated bail bond agency specializing in bail bond services throughout Southern California. We are personally invested in providing you with the services you need to handle a family emergency. If you or a loved one has recently been arrested, please do not wait to contact our team. We offer flexible payment terms and always respect your privacy. We look forward to hearing from you and to helping you make this time a bit easier.

Connect today to get started. We can be reached via this website or at any time by calling 888-694-9260.