How Bail Bonds Work In California

Bail is a guarantee to the court that a person who has been arrested will come back for every court date. Once bail is posted, the person can be released from jail while their case moves forward.

Each California county has a bail schedule, set by its judges, that lists a bail amount for each charge. If bail has not been set by the schedule, or a judge needs to review it, the judge decides at the first court appearance, called an arraignment. California law generally requires that appearance within 48 hours of arrest, not counting Sundays and holidays.

A bail bond, also called a surety bond, is a promise to the court that the full bail amount will be paid if the person does not appear. Instead of paying the full amount yourself, you pay a premium to a licensed bail agency, and the agency guarantees the bail to the court.

Sometimes. Many people arrested for minor misdemeanors are given a citation and released. A judge can also release someone on their own recognizance, based on a promise to return to court. In Los Angeles County, many people arrested for misdemeanors and lower-level offenses are released without bail. Serious and violent charges usually still require bail. Call us and we will tell you which applies.

Bail bond premiums start at 10% of the bail amount. Depending on the circumstances, rates may be available as low as 7% under our surety's filed rates or with surety approval. Specific pricing and eligibility should be discussed directly with Home Now Bail Bonds.

In most cases, no. In California, the premium pays for the bond and is not refunded when the case ends, even if the charges are dropped. There are limited exceptions, which we explain before you sign anything.

No. California made renewal premiums on bail bonds illegal starting January 1, 2022. You pay the premium once for the bond.

With cash bail, you pay the full bail amount directly to the court. It is usually returned at the end of the case if every court date was met, minus any fines or fees. With a bail bond, you pay a smaller premium to a bail agency instead of the full amount, but the premium is not returned.

Yes. Payment plans and down-payment options may be available on approved credit.

The cosigner helps make sure the defendant goes to every required court date until the case is resolved. If the defendant does not meet their obligations, the cosigner may become responsible for the full bail amount, as set out in the bail agreement.

Collateral is generally required when the bond is more than $150,000. Homeownership or other real property is the preferred form of collateral.

If you can, have your loved one's full name and date of birth, the jail or detention facility where they are held, their booking number, and the name of the person who will act as cosigner. If you do not know where they are being held, we can help find them.

The court can order the bail forfeited and issue a warrant. California law generally allows about 180 days to resolve the forfeiture, usually by getting the person back to court. If a court date is missed or is going to be a problem, call us right away. Acting quickly protects your loved one and the cosigner.

The bond is released, or exonerated, when the case is resolved and the court no longer needs the guarantee. It can also end earlier, for example if the case is dismissed. Until then, every court date must be met.

It depends on the jail. Some counties release everyone through one central location. We will tell you exactly where to go before you leave home.

Every bail agent in California must be licensed by the California Department of Insurance, and you can look up a license on the Department's website. Home Now Bail Bonds holds California Department of Insurance License #6017369.

We can use information such as their full name and date of birth to help find out where they are being held and get the available bail information.

Yes. When appropriate, we can meet you at the jail, at your home, or at another agreed location.

No. Home Now Bail Bonds does not handle federal bail bonds or immigration bonds.