Posting bail for a loved one may seem daunting, especially when going through the process for the first time. It's easy to panic when a judge bangs the gravel and announces that bail is set at an amount you cannot afford. Fortunately, Norwalk bail bonds make it cheaper and faster to secure pretrial release. The bondsman's fee is about 10% of the set bail, and the agent will handle processing a defendant from jail. We invite you to contact the Bail Bonds Company to ensure a quick and smooth release of your loved one.
Besides bail bonds, you can put up property as bail or post cash bail. Unfortunately, most defendants do not have enough money to afford the bail in cash. On the other hand, obtaining a lien against property like a car or home is a risk most people cannot afford to take. This makes posting bail through a bail bondsman the most convenient option.
How Do Norwalk Bail Bonds Work?
If the police arrest you and the judge does not release you on your own recognizance during the bail hearing, you will likely have to part with bail or remain in jail until your trial. Most people cannot afford to pay bail in cash with the current economy. This is where bail bonds come into the picture.
A bail bond or surety bond is a method of raising bail through a bail bond agent. Bail bond companies are financed by surety insurance companies, meaning they have the resources needed to post bail bonds with the court on behalf of defendants. Once the judge sets your bail amount, the bond dealer will pay it and demand 10% of the total bail as the bondsman's fee. You can then provide collateral that covers the remaining bond amount.
The arrangement between a defendant and a bond dealer works beautifully, and you do not have to worry about losing collateral. If the accused shows up in court as required, you can continue using your property and have your title or logbook back after the trial. However, the bail bond company will forfeit the collateral if the accused skips court.
Bail bond companies can lose significant amounts of money yearly when defendants skip town, and the court forfeits bail. The law allows them to arrest fugitives and deliver them to the appropriate authorities to avoid forfeiture of the bond. These companies use bounty hunters to help find fugitives, an alternative that is often cheaper and faster than selling property used as collateral. However, the bond agent will still do whatever is necessary to protect the company from potential losses.
Bail Bond Rates
Bail bond companies are licensed by the state to post "bonds" for defendants. State laws govern these companies' operations, ensuring standardization when helping people secure pretrial release. Under California laws, the bondsman's fee is 10% of the set bail amount. If the judge sets bail at $20,000, the bond company will charge at least $2,000 to post a bond.
The bondsman's fee can still be a significant amount, although it is far less than the court demands. This fee can even be higher when a defendant needs immigration or federal bonds. Under the law, such bonds require a fee of 15 to 20% of the total bail amount.
It is imperative to note that the law sets the bondsman's fee. Fortunately, the law also allows a small discount for defendants that retain a private attorney and settle the bondman's payment within 72 hours. Also, discounts are permitted for certain persons, including military members. Once you pay the required upfront premium and provide collateral or a co-signer, your loved one can return home as soon as possible. The arrangement allows persons accused of crimes to resume working and spend time with their families as they await their trial.
Understanding How Judges Set Bail
The upfront fee you have to pay for Norwalk bail bonds will be determined by the bail amount set by a judge. Typically, the judge sets the bail during a defendant's first appearance in court after an arrest. The first hearing is known as the arraignment or the bail hearing.
Judges have the discretion of setting bail according to the bail schedule of your county. They can also raise or lower the standard bail amount if they deem it fit. Moreover, a judge can waive bail, allowing the accused to return home without paying a dime as long as they adhere to the proposed conditions of release.
Here are some of the factors that can influence how a judge sets bail:
Flight Risk
One of the significant aspects a judge will consider is your likelihood of skipping town to avoid conviction. Judges can gauge your flight risk based on your community ties, employment, and marital status. The court will likely increase the standard bail amount if you are deemed a high flight risk because of your access to funds, citizenship, living arrangements, or court attendance history.
A poor court attendance history has more chances of increasing the bail amount than access to funds or the lack of steady employment. This makes it crucial for defendants to ensure prompt court attendance during their pretrial release.
Criminal History
The charges you face will also significantly dictate how the judge will set your bail. Generally, violent crimes and felonies attract higher bail amounts than non-violent offenses and misdemeanors. Also, a first-time offense attracts a lower bail amount, while chronic offenders almost certainly get higher bail.
Risk to Others
The criminal justice system plays a crucial role in keeping the community free of violent or reckless people who can cause harm to others. If the judge finds you highly capable of harming yourself, others, or the community, this can be grounds for raising the bail amount. The judge will also set strict terms and conditions, ensuring you forfeit bail if you attempt to hurt others, intimidate victims or violate restraining orders.
A higher bail amount helps to keep the majority of violent offenders in jail until their trial. On the other hand, those who manage to secure pretrial release are encouraged to abide by the release conditions to avoid losing a lot of money if the court forfeits bail.
The eighth amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects you from excessive bail. Most judges use clear metrics to avoid accusations of purposely setting the bail too high. While it is possible to negotiate for bail reduction, the process is time-consuming, meaning you have to spend longer behind bars. The cheapest way to afford bail is by securing Norwalk bail bonds.
Cash Bail Vs. Bail Bonds; Which One Is Better?
The two most popular options for settling bail are to post cash bail or a bail bond. As the name implies, a cash bail involves paying the total bail amount on the spot. On the other hand, a bail bond involves using a bond agent to settle the bail on your behalf for a small commission or fee.
Let's analyze the pros and cons of these two options to settle the cash bail vs. bail bond debate:
Cash Bail Pros
- No extra fees — If you are accused of a low-level crime for the first time, the court will likely impose a low bail amount. Sourcing the money from your savings or friends instead of a bond dealer allows you to dodge the bondsman's fee.
- No third-party involvement — With cash bails, you do not need to involve other people to co-sign Norwalk bail bonds. The option allows you to avoid third-party intrusion from friends or relatives. You can keep your legal matter more discreet as you work on achieving the best outcome during the trial.
- Less paperwork — Cash bails involve less paperwork because you do not have to deal with bail bond agents or third-party co-signers. Like other types of bail, you will receive a refund of your money if you adhere to the pretrial release terms and conditions.
Cash Bail Cons
- You need the full bail amount — The most significant tradeoff of posting cash bail is that you need all the money at once. The court does not offer the option of paying in installments.
- Refund delays — If you are like most defendants, you will not waste time posting your cash bail. Unfortunately, the refund can take up to three months, not to mention that you will receive a check and not cash. You also have to bear the bank costs related to cashing the check.
- Possible IRS tax deductions — If the judge sets bail at $10,000 or more, the IRS will be notified after you bank your check. This money will be subject to tax deductions even though it is not payment for any product or service.
- Greater risk of bail forfeiture — A significant downside of posting cash bail is that you will not receive a refund if you miss a court date. Skipping bail also prompts a judge to issue a warrant of your arrest.
Bail Bonds Pros
- You do not need to pay the total bail amount—the most significant perk of using bail bonds is that you do not need to tie down 100% of the bail amount. Bail bond dealers only require an upfront fee of 10% of the set bail. You can use your savings for urgent expenses like retaining a competent attorney.
- Co-signers have lesser responsibilities — If you want to get your loved one out of jail, it is safer to use a bail bond than to post cash bail. While you must keep tabs on the defendant and ensure they appear in court, your bond dealer will also help you. The bond company will also use its bounty hunters to find the accused in case of a missed court date. It can be harder to recover money from a friend if you post cash bail.
- Installments allowed — When the 10% fee is still not within your financial means, your bail bondsman can craft a suitable payment plan for you. You can pay the premium in installments, ensuring you do not overstretch your budget.
- Quicker release from jail — The steps involved in securing the release of a loved one from prison can be daunting. Unless you have gone through the process severally, you will likely encounter challenges that could significantly slow your loved one's release.
Bail Bonds Cons
- Non-refundable fee — The bondsman's fee will not be refunded even if you adhere to all the release terms and conditions.
- Third-party involvement — There is no way around not involving a third party. To secure Norwalk bail bonds, you need at least two co-signers. You need to trust someone enough to tell them about your situation.
- More paperwork — Bail bond companies take a significant risk when providing surety bonds. The only way to protect themselves from potential losses is to ensure you sign legally binding agreements and provide collateral before receiving the bond.
It is crucial to weigh your situation before deciding whether to post cash bail or use a bail bond. Generally, the perks of bail bonds far outweigh the cons because you will not need to post 100% of the set bail. For most defendants' it makes better sense to use their resources to hire the best defense team.
Tips To Expedite the Norwalk Bail Bonds Process
When applying for Norwalk bail bonds, your agent understands the sense of urgency in wanting to see your loved one freed from jail. Bond dealers do everything possible to speed up the process, although some challenges may not be in their control.
Here is what you can do to help expedite the bail bonds process:
Contact Your Bail Bonds Company As Soon As Possible
The surest way to ascertain your loved one comes home within the shortest time possible is to contact a bail bonds agent right after an arrest. Begin preparing the necessary documents even as you wait for the bail hearing. The idea is to begin the release process immediately after the arraignment.
Provide Enough Information
Bond dealers have the resources needed to dig up information about defendants. Unfortunately, time spent fishing for information could mean your loved one has to wait longer in jail. Some of the essential information you need to speed up the bail bonds process includes the name and date of the birth of the accused and the jail location where they are held in custody.
Go Through the Bail Bond Contract Thoroughly
Your bail bond agent will provide a contract detailed with all the requirements of your pact. The contract is legally binding and is meant to protect you and the company from needless misunderstandings. Reviewing the agreement's details and ensuring you meet all the stipulated requirements is crucial. Also, pay the required upfront fee and sign the document. If you can benefit from a flexible payment plan, ensure you bring up the issue sooner rather than later.
You have a right to ask questions or seek clarity if there are areas of the contract you do not understand. Unfortunately, some clients unintentionally slow down the bail bonds process because of blunders when signing the contract. The more time you spend sending the papers back and forth between you and the agent, the longer the defendant has to wait behind bars.
The bail bond process is inconsistent and often unpredictable. The above tips can help speed up the course, although the timeframe needed to secure the release of a loved one all comes down to how quickly the jail authorities can handle the paperwork. Reliable agents always strive to speed up all processes within their control.
Norwalk Los Angeles County Jail & Court Information
Norwalk is a smaller city compared to other cities in Los Angeles. This makes getting a friend or relative freed from jail faster and less complicated. Experienced bond dealers will also use their skills to speed up the process further. The Norwalk Jail is a correctional facility in Norwalk Sheriff's Station. It has holding cells that house arrestees temporarily before they are transferred to larger county jails.
Norwalk Sheriff's Station
Twin Towers Correctional Facility
Men’s Central Jail
Century Regional Detention Facility
Court Information
Los Angeles County Superior Court Department
Find a Bail Bondsman Near Me
The Bail Bonds Company is here to help if you need Norwalk bail bonds. We are a well-established company that operates 24 hours, all year round, to ensure our clients don't spend a minute longer in jail. We have trained and courteous agents who will happily attend to you as soon as you call. Our charges are straightforward, and you do not have to worry about interests, hidden fees, or other nasty surprises. For more information about our bail bonds process or to speak to one of our agents, please call 323-579-1415.
