You know that with Los Angeles Bail Bond Store, you will not be facing this bail situation alone. You will have a professional and licensed bail bond agent with you for every step of the way so you know exactly what is going on. Nonetheless, it is good to do independent research on the industry to give you an idea of what to expect. You will also want to look up keywords you will come across.
- Bail
- Bail Bond
- Premium
- Co-signer
- Own Recognizance
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Bail is a payment to the court that offers the defendant temporary release from jail. This defendant is still waiting for trial and has yet to be acquitted or convicted.
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A bail bond is a written promise from a defendant to pay a premium, 10% of the bail in California, to the bail bond company and to show up to court when he or she is required to. The bail bond will then secure a defendant’s release from jail.
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Premium refers to the payments owed to a bail bond company for a bail bond. The premium will be 10% of the defendant’s bail amount.
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The co-signer of a defendant’s bail bond will be assuming responsibility for that defendant. The co-signer must see that the defendant shows up for court. Being a co-signer can be risky, as they usually must pledge collateral, which they must forfeit if the defendant fails to show up for court. However, co-signers may also withdraw their responsibilities and name from the bail bond at any time, as a protection for themselves.
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To be released on own recognizance, the judge must see that the defendant is generally a good person. For example, they do not have a prior criminal record, they have good relationships with others in the community, the crime they committed was a harmless, minor offense, or things of that nature. If a defendant is released on own recognizance, then they merely sign to promise to show up for court, then they may leave jail. They do not have to pay bail or a bail bond.
Again, it is quite all right if you do not understand all of this bail-related information right off the bat. That is what your Los Angeles Bail Bond Store bail agent is here for – to make sure you understand what is going on and to get your loved one out of jail ASAP!