BY |
Dealing with bail bonds in San Diego doesn’t need to be a stressful process. We appreciate that most people don’t know where to begin when they encounter a bail bond for the first time. More than likely, you never expected to be in this position, so did not plan for what happens next.
Don’t worry, if you’ve been arrested in San Diego County, we can help. San Diego Bail Bonds has over seven decades of bail bond experience and we know all the tips to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. This guide will explain everything you need to do when obtaining a bail bond - as well as some mistakes to avoid.
Understand The Purpose Of A Bail Bond
First and foremost, be sure you know what a bail bond is. When someone is arrested in San Diego, the court will administer bail. This is a sum of money that the arrested individual must pay as a guarantee that they’ll appear in court. Once the money is paid, the individual is released from jail and must wait for all court appearances. When all court appearances are made - and the trial concludes - the court releases the bail money back to the individual.
A bail bond is a way of getting money to post bail from elsewhere. A bail bond agent will cover the full cost of bail, and you’ll pay them a premium. This will normally be anywhere between 10-20% depending on the provider. You’re free to leave custody, but the same rules apply. You must attend all court dates so the money can be released. This time, the bail bond agent gets the cash - but they retain the premium as their fee.
Knowing what a bail bond is will help you figure out if you need one. In San Diego, minor misdemeanors can have bail set at as little as $50. If that’s the case for you, then you can likely cover the full cost yourself and won’t need a bail bond. But, if bail is too high for you to handle, you’ll need extra help.
Work With A Licensed Bail Bond Provider
San Diego County law states that bail bonds are only accepted by licensed bail bond providers. They must have a license with the California Department of Insurance or their money won’t be accepted.
As such, you can make life easier by asking bail bond agents for their license numbers. Use the California Department of Insurance database to check the number and see if it exists/is valid. This helps you work with legitimate bail bond companies, meaning you won’t fall victim to bail bond scams.
Call A Bail Bond Agency As Soon As You Can
Bail bonds in San Diego are typically handed out after an individual is booked. The jail will charge the person with a crime (or crimes) and set bail based on the latest San Diego Bail Schedule.
Once bail is set, you must call a bail bond agency right away. We offer a 24/7 service so there will always be someone to answer your call. Acting instantly helps you get the ball rolling a lot faster. Within a couple of hours, your bail bond can be sent through and you’ll be allowed out of custody. Quick thinking helps you avoid multiple nights in prison, letting you get home to sleep in your bed.
Find A Bail Bond Company With Good Payment Options
Sometimes, San Diego bail bonds can be as high as $50,000 or more. This is an exuberant amount of money that the average person is unable to pay in one go. More to the point, you may struggle to pay a $5,000 premium on a bond like this - let alone if your bail is even larger.
This leaves you in a challenging situation and you assume the only solution is to stay in jail. Alternatively, look for a bail bond company with different payment options. For instance, you may be able to use a payment plan to cover the premium in monthly installments. Or, some providers of bail bonds in San Diego offer discounts. We currently have 20% off for military members, members of unions, lifetime residents, and members of AARP.
Discounts and payment plans help you pay immediately, so you don’t have to wait around and bail can be posted and processed.
Compare San Diego Bail Bond Premiums
You will find different premiums for bail bonds in San Diego. It depends on the bail bond agency and how much they charge clients. The standard rate is 10%, so you should be cautious when offered anything higher.
Always compare providers and ensure they give you a free quote before agreeing to anything. If all providers offer more than 10%, then that indicates they see you as a higher risk than usual. This could be down to your criminal background, the specific charges against you, or the bail amount.
Having said that, if one provider offers 10% and all others are offering 20 or 25%, you should pick the lowest rate. It will help you save a lot of money - just make sure you conduct the license check we mentioned earlier.
Be On Your Best Behavior
After obtaining a bail bond, you must be on your best behavior to avoid further issues. You are legally required to attend ALL court appearances once released from jail. It is a criminal offense to knowingly not turn up to court. If you don’t think you can make an appearance, contact your bail bond agent and they’ll speak to the court.
You also cannot commit any crimes or cross state boundaries while released on bail. Doing either will result in your bail being void and a warrant will be issued for your arrest. You will then be charged with more crimes on top of your original crime.
Follow all the rules after being released and the whole process will go a lot smoother.
Get Help With San Diego Bail Bonds Today
If you need help with bail bonds in San Diego, please get in touch with our team. We’re always on-hand to provide consultations and free quotes, so call us the moment you need a bail bond.
