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Co-Signer Liability For A Bail Bond

Posted on Dec 21st, 2021 by Jesse Kleis 807 Views

If you’re waiting in jail for trial because you don’t think you can come up with enough money to make bail, getting friends and family to act as indemnitors by cosigning your bail bond might be able to get you home quickly. It’s important to understand that when your friends and family members go out of their way to do this for you, they are on the hook for the full amount of the bail bonds and could lose any collateral they put up to secure your bond. Getting out of jail quickly can help you keep your job, so it’s important to appreciate how much people that co-sign your bail bond are going out of their way to help you. If you’re charged with a criminal offense and you’re still in custody, you could be out of jail in a few hours with the help of an experienced Santa Ana bail bond agency. Call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds at 844-400-2245 for details.

What Is A Bail Bond Co-Signer?

Bail is the amount of money that must be deposited with the court before a criminal defendant can be released prior to a trial. The purpose of bail is to ensure that the person charged has an adequate incentive to show up to trial rather than fleeing to avoid prosecution. For some types of serious charges or if the judge believe the defendant is a threat to the safety or an individual or the community, a criminal defendant can be held without bail until trial. When bail is allowed, the judge will set the amount based on the severity of the charges other factors. If a criminal defendant does not have enough cash for the bail amount, they can often get out of jail quickly with the help of an experienced Santa Ana bail bond agency that will post bail with the court for about 10% of the bail amount. The California bail bond agency will be on the hook for the entire bail amount if you don’t show up in court, so most bail bond agencies require a co-signer when issuing a bail bond. A co-signer will be required to sign an indemnity agreement or promissory note that obligates them to the total amount of the bond is you don’t appear in court. The co-signer is vouching for you and is expected to assist in making sure that you show up when summoned because if you don’t, they could lose their life savings and all of their valuable possessions.

What Are The Qualifications For A Bail Bond Co-Signer?

In order to be considered by a California bail bond agency as a qualified co-signer your friend or family member must have the following qualifications:

  • A good credit score and history of making regular payments on time for credit cards, mortgages and loans. Somebody with little credit history or bad credit will not be eligible;
  • Steady employment or a business that’s in the black will help the bail bond agency feel secure that your co-signer will be able to make good on their promise to pay if you breach the terms of your release;
  • Money in bank, brokerage other accounts and
  • Ties to the community that make it unlikely that they will flee if called up to pay the bail amount.

In some cases, a California bail bond agency might agree to a co-signer, even if they don’t tick every one of the boxes above. For example, somebody with a high paying job, good credit history and young children enrolled in local schools might be acceptable even if they don’t have much money in the bank. The best way to find out if you qualify for a bail bond is to contact an experienced Santa Ana bail bond agency. Call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds at 844-400-2245 and find out how you can get out of jail quickly.

What Actions Can A Co-Signer Take To Protect Themselves?

You might find it difficult to find somebody qualified to co-sign your bail bond due to the risk they are taking on financially, so it’s important to know that there are things that a co-signer can do to protect themselves. One of the responsibilities of the co-signer is to ensure that you show up in court and they can require that you check in with them periodically to ensure compliance. A co-signer has a right to insist upon terms of release that include mental health and drug treatment and to monitor compliance with these protocols. If at any time while you’re on release with the bond, the co-signer can contact the bail bond agency to let them know that they believe you might not flee or refuse to go to court and would like to cancel the bond and have you returned to custody. Your co-signer is released from the obligations of the bail bond as soon as you are picked up by the police and returned to jail. It’s important to understand the responsibilities and obligations of a co-signer, including their ability to request that you be taken back into custody.

Top Santa Ana Bail Bond Agency

If you’ve been charged with a crime and don’t have enough cash or credit for the amount of bail required for your release, you might still be able to be released from custody quickly. The top bail bond agencies in California offer a wide variety or payment options and payment plans that can help you to be released quickly. If you qualify, you might even be able to obtain release on the weekend within hours with no money down. One of the important parts of obtaining a bail bond is enlisting a family member or friend to co-sign on your behalf, so it’s important to understand what this involves. If you’re in custody and would like to find out how to be released quickly, call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds at 844-400-2245, the California bail bond agency that does everything possible to get you released quickly.

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About The Author

Jesse Kleis is a seasoned California Bail Agent, boasting over a decade of comprehensive experience in the bail industry. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Sociology from California State University. In addition to his work as a bail agent, Jesse is also an active Sociology Instructor, furthering his commitment to professional education.

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