The most common method of posting bail is by obtaining a bond through a licensed Bail Bonds Direct agent, since bail can be in the tens of thousands of dollars or more. You pay the agent up to 10% of the bail amount so that if a defendant has bail set at $50,000, you can buy or secure a bond for $5000.
After paying the bond amount, the bondsman will transport it to the court to secure the defendant’s release. The premium paid to the bondsman is non-refundable.
You may also have to put up collateral when securing a bond, particularly if the bail is substantial. This is usually real property since personal property can disappear. It is also rare for personal property to have substantial value unless it is a valuable painting or a collection of rare items.
Should you fail to make a court appearance and the court forfeits your bail, the bond company may seek to sell your collateral.
Most bail is posted by someone other than the defendant. You can co-sign for a bond with the bond company but you do have certain obligations if you do so. If the defendant flees the jurisdiction or simply not appear at the next date, the bond company will first attempt to find the defendant.
If you need a licensed bail bonds agent, call Bail Bonds Direct at 800-880-8380
We are available in several different cities and counties. Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, Ventura, San Bernardino, and San Diego. New cities we service are Whittier and Newport Beach.