Bail Bond Questions and Answers

Bail is money or a bond that lets a person leave jail while the case continues, as a guarantee they will come to every court date. See how bail works in California.

A licensed bail agent, backed by an insurance company, promises the court the full bail amount. You pay the agent a premium, sign an indemnity agreement, and the agent posts the bond with the jail.

No. The bond is the promise to the court for the full bail amount. The premium is the fee you pay the agent for that promise, most commonly 10% of bail in California.

The cosigner, or indemnitor, signs for the bond and promises the defendant will go to court. If the defendant does not, the cosigner can owe the bond and recovery costs. Read what a cosigner agrees to.

When the court releases it, usually at the end of the case after a dismissal or sentencing. After exoneration and full payment, collateral is returned.

A forfeiture is what a judge orders when the defendant misses a required court date. California law then gives a period, generally 180 days, to bring the defendant back and have it set aside.

If the defendant returns quickly, a judge may set aside the forfeiture and reinstate the bond. If the period runs out without the defendant back in court, the court can enter summary judgment against the surety for the bond amount.

Under California Penal Code section 1275, protection of the public comes first, then the seriousness of the charge, the person's record and how likely they are to come to court. Judges must also consider ability to pay when setting money bail.

Our jail pages list addresses, official phone numbers and lookup tools for the main jails in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

Yes. Jane Un Bail Bonds takes 20% off the premium when a private attorney is retained, or when you or the defendant is a veteran.