Northridge Bail Bonds FAQ

What does bail bond mean?

You may hear bail bonds, called surety bonds while in court, but they mean the same thing. In essence, a bail bond is a legal agreement between a bail agent, backed by an insurance company and the court. Should the defendant not attend a scheduled court hearing or trial, the bail bondsman covers the cost of the full bail amount. Because the bail bondsman you choose will be taking care of the legal details of your release, using a reputable and licensed service is extremely important. Who decides how much the bail is?

A judge will determine the bail amount in a special hearing before your release. Bail is often based on the amounts issued in past cases with similar charges, but can be raised or lowered based on certain circumstances involving the defendant. Factors such as charge severity and flight risk associated with the defendant can cause a higher bail amount. The Department of Insurance sets California's amount for bail bonds service at 10% of the bail total, a fee that is non-negotiable by law.

When must I pay for bail services?

Though special arrangements can be made, we usually require payment for services in advance before the defendant's release. If you do need to inquire about special arrangements, you can do so by contacting us. We accept cash and all major credit cards as a form of payment.

Does bail financing exist?

Yes. We know that you probably weren't planning on coming up with money for bail, so we offer a variety of financing options to suit your special needs. Financing arrangements can be worked out by calling us any time.

What is personal recognizance?

In very rare circumstances, a judge may grant personal recognizance and waive the need for bail to be paid before a detainee's release. This is reserved for special circumstances and may require additional measures to ensure the defendant will appear in all scheduled hearings.

Can defendants cover their own bail?

The law does allow you to cover your own bail, but the total amount must be paid in cash before your release. It's important to know that bail will be held until the conclusion of your case. Certain fees or losses may be assigned throughout the course of trial depending on the court.

What is common arrest procedure?

The first step of any arrest involves a booking process. Those arrestees are taken to a police station or jail where they can be fingerprinted, photographed and documented. A record of the arrest is typically added to a national database. This process can take up to 10 hours depending on the facility. After the booking process, a bail hearing occurs where a judge will determine the bail amount and assign applicable court dates.