Many people have been on the receiving end of a phone call from a friend or family member, saying that he or she is in jail and that help is needed for bail. The problem here is that most people have no idea where to start if and when that phone call comes in. Dealing with an arrest and jails can be an especially difficult and stressful time, and many people feel ashamed and just aren’t quite sure where to turn for help.

Fortunately, the team at Lopez Bail Bonds has you covered. Whether you have already received that phone call and need to speak to someone about securing a bail bond right away, or you are just looking for some general information on bail bonds Santa Monica, you have come to the right place.

Once a defendant is arrested, they will either have to post bail to be released from jail, or they will remain in custody until his or her trial date. Unlike the initial court appearance, trials dates are usually set far into the future, often weeks or months out. For this reason, most people choose to post bail and be released from prison, to wait for their trial at home and continue to lead a life that is as normal as possible. Essentially, bail works in one of two ways. Either the defendant posts the full amount, or the full amount is posted on his or her behalf. This is called a cash bond. Keep in mind that if the defendant fails to attend any of his or her court dates, the entire amount of the bail is forfeited. The depositor of the money will only receive their funds back (minus any necessary court costs, fees, fines, etc) if the defendant attends all court dates, or if the case is dismissed.

While this is always an option, it is often not a viable one for most people. For instance, if bail is set at $40,000, there are not too many people with $40,000 just lying around that they can easily get their hands on. For this reason, many people choose to purchase a surety bond through a reputable bail bondsman or bail bonds agency. The process to purchase a surety bond is, fortunately, relatively straightforward and simple.

The purchaser of the bail bond will pay a premium, or a set fee, to the bail bondsman, who will then, in turn, present the court with the bond. In the case of bail bonds Santa Monica, this is a simple flat fee of 10 percent of the bail. As long as the defendant does not miss any scheduled court dates, no additional funds will need to be paid to the bail bondsman.

If you are preparing to try to get your friend or family member out of jail, one of the first calls you should make is to a reputable and trustworthy bail bondsman or bail bonds agency. When you make your first call, you will need to have a few pieces of information readily available, such as:

• The full name of the person who has been arrested
• Which jail he or she is being detained at
• Any prior arrests or criminal history
• Details about this particular arrest and accusation
• Any other information that you feel may be pertinent or relevant to the case

Once you have spoken to the bail bondsman, the rest of the process is pretty streamlined. The bail bonds agency will draw up paperwork, and once the paperwork has been signed, they will appear at the jail, in order to get your loved one released. Keep in mind that the length of time this particular step will take can vary widely, depending on which particular jail you are dealing with and how busy they are, at the time.

If you are searching for or are in the need of bail bonds Santa Monica or bail bonds Marina Del Rey, always remember that you do not have to go through this process alone. The team at Lopez Bail Bonds understands that this is particularly awkward and stressful time for most people, and so they are very respectful of your privacy. They are experts in bail bonds Santa Monica, so you can also rest assured knowing that you are in good hands. Give them a call or connect online to speak with a member of their team now!