Do you know someone who has been arrested? Are you personally worried about being arrested for something? If so, then one of the first things on your mind will likely be bail. After all, nobody wants to stay in jail for a long period of time as it prevents them from continuing their daily responsibilities and going to work. Thankfully, bail exists and we can pay the courts a temporary fee that will be returned to the defendant when they appear in court.
However, bail amounts can be fairly high, especially here in California. On average, you can expect a bail amount of roughly $50,000. This is much higher than the national average of $10,000. Even though the money is returned to you after you appear in court, putting together that much money in a single payment can be virtually impossible for some people. This is why it’s important to use a bail bond service like Mr Nice Guy Bonds to help a defendant be released from jail.
But these are services at the end of the day, so it’s important to be aware of your obligations should you use a bail bond service. In most cases, these financial arrangements require the defendant to pay the bail agency a certain percentage of the full bail amount. This is used to pay for the services offered by the bail bond agent, and can often be repaid at a rate with terms that are convenient for the defendant.
Let’s dive into this topic more and talk about the exact percentage of a bond that defendants pay and how it can be reduced.
Why There’s a Bail Bond Payment
If a defendant is able to pay the entire bail bond by themselves, then the money will be returned to them after they appear in court regardless of the outcome of the case. However, when you seek help from a bail bond agent, the agent will be the one paying the entirety of the bail bond. As long as you turn up to court on the specified day, the agent will have their money returned as well.
But to pay for the services of the bail bond agent, a portion of the bail amount must be paid to the agent in order to cover the costs of their services. This percentage is typically 10% in most states including California, but can be lowered with discounts.
Bond Payment Percentage
In the majority of states including California, a defendant can expect to pay around 10% of the full bond amount. Thankfully, the bond payment cannot exceed 10% according to local law, meaning this is the most at which you’d pay.
However, there are cases in which the total percentage can be reduced by using discounts and rebates. It’s important to contact a bail bond agent to ask about any potential discounts on offer as it could significantly reduce the payment percentage.
Bond Payment Discounts
Defendants may qualify for discount rates under certain conditions.
Military Service and Veterans
Some bail bond agencies provide discounts to anyone who is currently an active member of the military. Veterans are also often given discounts as a gesture of support and appreciation for their service. So if the defendant meets these conditions, it’s a good idea to look for a bail bond agent that offers discounts to active personnel or veterans, as it could significantly lower the bond payment.
Legal or Law Enforcement
Some bail bond agents may extend discounts to people who work in the legal or law enforcement fields. This is considered a professional courtesy and often lowers the bond payment by a few percent. This is entirely up to the discretion of the bond agent and isn’t something enforced by all service providers.
Low Flight Risk
In the event that a defendant is considered to be a low flight risk, their bond repayment percentage may be a few percent lower than the average. A low flight risk in this scenario means anyone who is highly likely to appear in court on their due date. This means there’s a lower risk for the bail bond service. Some defendants may also be considered as having a lower flight risk if they were arrested in their home state, meaning they are less likely to run away and fail to appear in court. These discounts help to incentivize good behavior and are generally considered a gesture of goodwill.
Use of Collateral
Collateral can often be used to lower bond payment amounts, but this depends entirely on the bail bond agent and the terms they agree to with the defendant. Collateral can often be anything of value but is most often real estate or assets such as a vehicle. With the right collateral, a bail bond agent may agree to lower the premium or even the upfront payment for the bond. The presence of collateral may also encourage a more flexible repayment term or overall agreement.
What Happens if You Fail to Appear in Court?
If you do not show up to court as required, then the court will likely issue a warrant for your arrest. Local authorities will likely start to actively search for you, and you'll be arrested and put in jail again.
The bail bond agency will also be responsible for the full bail amount, meaning they will not get their money back. As a result, they may hire bounty hunters to apprehend you or take further legal action to ensure they get their payment. They will also seize the collateral to cover any financial losses if applicable.
Lastly, failing to appear may negatively impact your case, and you may be revoked bail the second time around. You may also face additional charges should the court see fit.
Speak to Our Bail Bond Agents
We understand that getting arrested and seeking a bail bond agent can be a daunting experience. So if you’re in need of an expert, don’t hesitate to reach out to our specialists for more advice.
