The bail bond process is one that a lot of people don’t understand. Too often, people worry when they’re arrested that they’ll have to pay the total bail amount, but they have no means to do so. Fortunately, there are other options, including employing the assistance of a bail bond service in the Fresno area.
What Are Bail Bonds?
Bail bonds are not bail payments. No money is exchanged between the bond agency and the courts. If you’re using a bail agent, you will be pay a small fee to the bail agent – usually around 10% of the full bail amount – but some bail agents will also offer flexible payment plan options to help those who might not be able to come up with a lot of cash on the spot.
Be mindful that if the court appearances aren’t made and the terms of the bail aren’t fulfilled, the bond company will come in search of their collateral because they now have to pay the court for your failure to appear. The good news is that when you enlist the help of reputable bail agents in Fresno, California, you shouldn’t have to worry about missing court dates because the bail agents will explain everything to you and make sure you know how to proceed.
What’s the Difference Between the Bail Amount and the Bond Amount?
The bail amount and the bond amount are basically the same thing. The bail amount is how much the court says you must pay to be released from jail. The bond is the amount (or the promise of the amount) that is put forth by the bail bondsmen. For example, if you can get out of county jail in Fresno CA on a minor offense for a $5,000 bail, a bail bond company might only require you to pay a $500 bond fee for their bond service, but the bond company guarantees to pay the court the full amount if you don’t meet the terms of your release.
When it comes to bail bondsmen, Fresno has a lot of options. However, they’re not all as reputable, nor do they all have years of experience. Make sure that you ask about how to get out of jail fast, whether they can assist if you need immigration bonds, and more. Choose a provider that’s conveniently located so that you don’t have to go out of your way to find reputable bail bonds in Fresno.
How Much Will It Cost?
24-48 hours after an arrest is the usual timing for a bail hearing. It is at this hearing that the court will determine the total bail amount. This is going to be based on the offense being charged and the arrestee’s background and criminal history. Once you know the bail amount you can estimate the bail bond amount (usually 10% or so), but it’s best to call someone about bail bonds in Fresno sooner than later so that you don’t have to go through it alone. If you find yourself in need of bail bonds in Fresno, CA, use our online directory to find a reputable bail bond agent near you.