Relying on a bail bondsman when you or a loved one is arrested is an ideal choice. You secure a release from jail pending trial, thus allowing you to resume your daily engagements, including working, spending time with your family, and, most importantly, working with your attorney in preparation for your trial. Bond dealers at Bail Bonds Company are ready to post your bail if you or anyone you care about is in police custody in La Mirada.
What is a Bail Bond
La Mirada bail bonds are a financial guarantee given to the court by a bail bondsman on behalf of a defendant, pledging to pay the total amount of bail in exchange for the defendant’s freedom. The defendant, or a co-signer, pays a non-refundable fee to the bail bondsman as compensation for this service.
The courts forfeit the bail if the defendant fails to appear in court, meaning the bail bondsman loses the amount he/she posted as bail on behalf of the defendant.
Bail Bonds Facts
Below are some facts you should know about La Mirada bail bonds.
- Bail bonds are a pre-trial release form that allows a person to pay a fee to a bail bondsman in exchange for temporary freedom while awaiting trial.
- Most bail bond companies typically charge 10% of the total bail amount set by the court as a fee.
- The California Department of Insurance regulates bond dealers’ operations. For anyone to operate as a bail bondsman, he/she should obtain a license from the department.
- Bail can be posted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at most jails in La Mirada.
- If the defendant fails to appear in court as required, the bail bondsman has the right to track down and return the defendant to custody.
- Bail bonds are not mandatory. You can pay the full bail amount directly to the court or make arrangements with the jail for a release on your own recognizance.
- Bail bond companies must be able to explain the terms and conditions of a bail bond contract and any associated fees to a potential client before they sign.
- Bail bond companies are required to provide an indemnity agreement to the person posting bail, which outlines the responsibilities of both parties in the event the defendant fails to appear in court.
How Can I Bond Someone Out of Jail?
You can follow these steps to bond someone out of jail:
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Determine the Amount of Bail Set by the Court
You can find the value of the bail on the jail's website or by contacting the jail directly. Ideally, you can obtain this information from the arraignment if you were part of the proceedings.
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Contact a Bail Bondsman
You can search online or make phone calls to find a bail bondsman. To begin, you can search for licensed bail bond companies through the Department of Insurance's website or a search engine.
Next, you can compare fees and services offered by different bail bondsmen by contacting them directly. Before choosing a bondsman, ask questions about their services and the bail bond process. The bail bondsman will need information about the defendant, including their full name, date of birth, and the jail they are being held in.
Choose a bail bondsman who is licensed and reputable and can provide clear and concise information about the bail bond process and its services.
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Pay the Fee
After agreeing to the contractual terms, you will pay a fee, usually 10% of the total bail amount set by the court. It is a non-refundable fee that covers the cost of the bail bond services provided by the bail bondsman. You can make payments in cash, with a credit card, or with a check.
If the defendant attends all scheduled court appearances, the bail bond fee will be the only cost involved in the bail bond process. However, if the defendant fails to appear in court, the courts will forfeit the bail, and the bail bond company will pursue the defendant for the entire bail amount.
Bail bondsmen also require collateral, for example, property or assets, to secure the bail bond. It is vital to fully understand the terms and conditions of the bail bond agreement before paying the fee since it creates a legal obligation to pay the bail bond company. The consequences stipulated in the contract are binding if the defendant fails to appear in court.
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Sign the Contract
Signing the contract with a bail bondsman is a significant step in the bail bond process. The agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the bail bond, including the responsibilities of both parties.
Before signing the contract, you must fully understand the terms and conditions and any potential consequences if you fail to honor the court dates. Once you have reviewed the contract and the bondsman answers your questions, you can sign the contract to finalize the bond agreement.
After signing the contract, the bail bondsman will post the bail on behalf of the defendant and arrange for their release from jail.
Note: Carefully review the contract and ask questions before signing to understand the bail bond process and your responsibilities. Additionally, a loved one can co-sign on your behalf if you are in jail.
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Arrange for the Defendant's Release
Arranging for the defendant's release from jail involves the bail bondsman posting the bail set by the court on behalf of the defendant. The bail bondsman will then post the bail, which means the bail bondsman pays the bail in full.
Once the bail has been posted, the defendant will be released from jail. The bail bondsman will ensure that the defendant attends all scheduled court appearances and complies with any conditions set by the court. If the defendant fails to appear in court or violates any conditions of their release, the bail could be forfeited, and the defendant will be subject to rearrest.
The bail bondsman will work with the court to ensure that the defendant's release from jail is as smooth and efficient as possible.
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Attend All Court Appearances
Attending all court appearances is a critical part of the bail bond process. Upon release from custody, courts expect the defendant to honor court dates and the terms of his/her release until their case is resolved. Failure to appear in court can result in the forfeiture of the bail, a warrant for their arrest, and additional legal consequences.
The defendant is responsible for ensuring they attend all court appearances. However, the person who posted the bail bond, known as the indemnitor, is also responsible for ensuring the defendant's compliance with the conditions of their release. The indemnitor should keep track of the defendant's court dates and ensure they have the necessary transportation and other resources to attend court.
The indemnitor would be the bail bonds company if you used a bail bond service or your loved one if you posted cash or a property bond.
If the defendant misses a court appearance, the bail bondsman could recall the warrant and have the defendant re-arrested. However, this comes at an additional cost. It is in your best interest to attend all court appearances to avoid further legal problems and to resolve the case as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Terms in a La Mirada Bail Bonds Agreement
A bail bond agreement typically includes the following terms:
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Amount of Bail
Courts set the bail amount based on several factors, including the nature and severity of the charges, the defendant's criminal history, and his/her ties to the community. The amount of bail can range from a few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on the circumstances.
The bail bond agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the bail bond, including the amount of the bail bond fee, the responsibilities of both parties, and the consequences of a failure to make court appearances. The bail bond fee is typically 10% of the total bail amount and is non-refundable.
Additionally, the contract will state that the bail bond company is responsible for ensuring the defendant attends all court appearances and covering any additional costs associated with the bail bond process. The bail bondsman is responsible for posting bail on behalf of the defendant and ensuring the defendant complies with the conditions of their release.
Take time to understand the terms of the bail bond agreement before signing it to avoid any misunderstandings or complications during the bail bond process.
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La Mirada Bail Bonds Fee
Bail bondsmen state the fee for their service. This fee is typically a percentage of the total bail amount and is non-refundable. The price can vary between bail bond companies and could be negotiable in some cases.
The Department of Insurance regulates the premium. In La Mirada, the fee is 10% of the total bail amount. However, some bail bondsmen could charge more or less depending on the circumstances of the case.
You must pay the fee in full before the bondsman can post bail and arrange for the defendant's release. Further, the bail bond agreement could include other charges, like fees for collateral, expenses related to the defendant's release, and additional fees for services such as warrant recalls.
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Indemnitor
An indemnitor is a person who is responsible for ensuring that the defendant attends all court appearances and complies with the conditions of their release. The indemnitor is the person who hires the bail bondsman and posts the bail bond on behalf of the defendant.
In a La Mirada bail bonds agreement, the indemnitor is responsible for several terms and conditions, including but not limited to the following:
- Making payments — The indemnitor is responsible for paying the bail bond fee, typically a percentage of the total bail amount set by the court. Further, he/she is responsible for paying any additional costs incurred during the bail bond process, like fees for recalling a warrant or extra service the bail bondsman provides.
- Ensuring the defendant attends all court appearances — The indemnitor is responsible for ensuring the defendant attends all court appearances until the case is resolved. If the defendant misses a court appearance, the indemnitor could be liable for covering any additional costs incurred by the bail bondsman in recalling the warrant and having the defendant re-arrested.
- Securing the defendant's release — The indemnitor is responsible for securing the defendant's release from jail. This could involve providing transportation or other resources necessary for the defendant to attend court.
It is crucial for the indemnitor to understand the terms and conditions of the bail bond agreement and to take their responsibilities seriously. By working closely with the bail bondsman and the defendant, the indemnitor can help ensure a smooth and successful outcome.
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Collateral
Collateral is a term used in a bail bond agreement and refers to property, or assets pledged as security for the bail bond. Collateral ensures that the defendant will appear for their court appearances and guarantees payment of the bail bond if the defendant fails to appear in court. Bondsmen return the collateral if the defendant makes all court appearances and the case is resolved.
However, if the defendant fails to appear in court, the bail bond company keeps the collateral and uses it to cover the cost of the bond. Typical forms of collateral include real estate, vehicles, jewelry, and other valuable assets.
The bail bond agreement will outline the terms and conditions of the collateral, including the value of the collateral, how it will be used, and the circumstances under which it will be returned. The amount of collateral required can vary depending on the bail bond company and the defendant's circumstances.
The purpose of collateral is to provide a financial incentive for the defendant to attend all court appearances and to protect the bail bond company if the defendant fails to comply with the terms of the bail bond agreement.
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Forfeiture
Forfeiture is a term included in bail bond agreements. It refers to losing the sum posted for the defendant's release from jail. Forfeiture occurs when the defendant fails to comply with the conditions of their release, like failing to attend all court appearances or committing a new crime. When forfeiture occurs, the court could declare the bail bond amount to be forfeited, and the bail bondsman will lose the sum.
Forfeiture is a serious matter, and it is important for both the defendant and the indemnitor to understand the terms and conditions of the bail bond agreement and to comply with all conditions of release. To avoid forfeiture, the defendant must attend all court appearances and avoid any new criminal activity while on bail.
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Warrant Recall
Courts issue a warrant recall to have a warrant for a defendant's arrest lifted after they have missed a court appearance. This process is typically included in the bail bond agreement and is used to bring the defendant back into compliance with the conditions of their release.
When a defendant misses a court appearance, the court could issue a warrant for their arrest, which can result in their re-arrest and the forfeiture of the bail bond. The warrant recall process involves the bail bondsman working with the court and law enforcement to lift the warrant, allowing the defendant to be released from jail without a bond forfeiture.
The terms of a bail bond agreement will typically outline the steps involved in the warrant recall process, including the fees and responsibilities of both the bail bondsman and the indemnitor. Getting in touch with the bail bondsman as soon as possible is essential if a defendant misses a court appearance. Doing so will help minimize the risk of bond forfeiture and additional legal consequences.
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Termination
Termination refers to the ending or conclusion of a bail bond agreement. A bail bond agreement is typically terminated when the defendant has attended all court appearances, and their case has been resolved, or when the defendant has been rearrested, and the bail has been forfeited.
The bail bond agreement is typically terminated without issue if the defendant attends all court appearances as required. If the defendant misses a court appearance or is rearrested, the bail bondsman could terminate the agreement. In this case, the bail bond company could seek reimbursement from the indemnitor for any costs incurred during the bail bond process, like recalling the warrant and re-arresting the defendant.
Go through the terms of the bail bond agreement and the conditions that could result in its termination, as this can help avoid additional legal problems and ensure a smooth and efficient resolution to the case.
La Mirada Jail and Courthouse Information
Jail Information
La Mirada Community Sheriff
13716 La Mirada Blvd
La Mirada, CA 90638
+1 562-902-2960
Court Information
La Mirada City Hall
13700 La Mirada Blvd
La Mirada, CA 90638
+1 562-943-0131
Contact a La Mirada Bail Bondsman Near Me
If you are looking for La Mirada bail bonds to secure your loved one’s release, we are ready to help. The Bail Bonds Company operates 24/7 and is prepared to assist you. For more information, please contact our team at 323-579-1415.
