| Bail bond clients have one goal: to get a friend or | | | | less to "process in" an inmate. But if the inmate isn't |
| family member out of jail as quickly as possible. All bail | | | | bailed out or released quickly, he may be transferred |
| bond agents understand a client's sense of urgency - | | | | to the County jail, Twin Towers, (women are |
| even panic - and are happy to explain the process | | | | transferred to Century Station Jail in Lynwood). |
| and answer questions. But before they can approve a | | | | Processing and release takes much longer at large |
| bail bond, they need information about the client and | | | | facilities. Just the booking process can take 24 hours |
| about the person in jail. | | | | to complete - and it must be complete before the bail |
| Now, you may think the bail bond process is as simple | | | | bond process begins. Then, release can take 10 - 12 |
| as 123: | | | | hours after the bail bond amount has been delivered to |
| 1. Call a bail bondsman. | | | | the jailer. |
| 2. Pay a 10% fee for the bail bond. | | | | Nobody wants to stay in jail any longer than they have |
| 3. Get out of jail. | | | | to. Always contact a bail bondsman as quickly as |
| There's a lot more to it than that. When a bail bond | | | | possible to get the release paperwork started and |
| company "writes bail", the process is similar to getting a | | | | your loved one released with a minimum of delay. |
| loan or insurance policy. The bondsman needs to | | | | "WHERE is the person being held?" |
| assess the likelihood that the defendant will return to | | | | Don't panic when someone in jail calls and asks for |
| court and determine that the person bailing them out is | | | | your help. Get as much information as you can about |
| willing and able to make certain that happens. | | | | where they're being held and how long they've been |
| The bail bond interview process helps the bail agent | | | | there. Your bail agent needs to know who to contact |
| understand the client's situation and work out a solution | | | | to get bail information and start the bail release |
| tailored to the individual. Bail bond agencies want to | | | | process. If you know the jurisdiction of arrest or at |
| help, but also have to manage their risk. If they write a | | | | least the county, a bail bondsman should be able to |
| bail bond contract for someone who doesn't show up | | | | help. |
| in court, then the bail bondsman, and ultimately the client | | | | Bail agents ask clients which jail the individual is in |
| who signed the bail bond contract, is responsible for | | | | because sometimes people call just because they |
| the entire amount of the bail. Bail agents ask a lot of | | | | haven't seen a loved one after a long weekend and |
| questions for their own protection as well as for the | | | | are assuming they are in jail, which is rarely the case. |
| protection of the client. | | | | Many counties offer online arrestee information and an |
| Because every case is different, there's no standard | | | | Internet search may save the time of finding and |
| checklist of questions. Even so, most bail interviews | | | | contacting a bail bond company. |
| generally follow the old newspaper adage of "who, | | | | "HOW do you plan to pay for the bail bond?" |
| what, when, where, and how?" | | | | The fee for a bail bond in California is 10% of the full |
| "WHO are you and WHAT is your relationship to the | | | | bail amount. There are numerous ways to pay for a |
| defendant?" | | | | bail bond. Many clients use credit cards or cash. |
| Most bail clients are acting on behalf of family | | | | Although ability to pay isn't the only determining factor |
| members, but bail agents also receive calls from clergy | | | | in underwriting a bail bond, bail agents are generally |
| people, friends, and employers. | | | | willing to write the bond in those cases where the |
| Family members are usually the most motivated to | | | | client pays the full fee in a single payment. That's a |
| take care of the issue and make sure the defendant | | | | substantial out-of-pocket financial commitment on the |
| appears in court, which is the responsibility of the | | | | client's part. |
| person signing a bail bond contract. The defendant is | | | | However, when a client offers a small down payment, |
| likely to appear because he or she doesn't want to let | | | | say $500 on a $50,000 bail bond, the bail agent needs |
| a family member down. | | | | to determine stability and reliability simply because the |
| When a non-family member calls, bail agents spend | | | | risk is greater for the bail agency and smaller for the |
| more time asking questions and assessing the situation. | | | | client. That's why a bail agent has more questions for |
| The client has to clearly understand the responsibility | | | | clients who ask for payment plans. Homeowners, |
| he's assuming by signing the bail contract. The bail | | | | people with close family in the community, and clients |
| bondsman wants to make sure that the client and | | | | with a steady employment history are usually better |
| defendant have a close relationship. If someone with | | | | risks. |
| an established relationship who knows and trusts the | | | | No single factor qualifies - or disqualifies - someone. |
| defendant posts bail, the defendant will feel obligated | | | | Bail agents look at the whole picture when making a |
| to his friend to appear in court. | | | | decision. A perfect credit record isn't necessary. You |
| One indication of a close relationship is the fact that | | | | don't have to be Donald Trump to qualify for a bail |
| the arrestee has called the person for help arranging | | | | bond or a payment plan, but you do need to show that |
| bail. Calling someone from jail can be a pretty | | | | you pay bills on time and take responsibility for your |
| embarrassing conversation, and most people only call | | | | debts. People responsible enough to pay their bills can |
| someone they trust and know well. | | | | better be trusted to monitor the defendant and make |
| When a bail bond is not approved, it is not likely | | | | sure he or she appears in court as scheduled. |
| decided strictly on the client's relationship to the | | | | Why nobody asks "WHY." |
| defendant. This is just one aspect of the risk | | | | The one question most bail bondsmen don't ask clients |
| assessment process. | | | | is "WHY is the person in jail?" They don't need to |
| "WHEN was the person arrested?" | | | | know the whole story; that's information for the |
| When the person was arrested is significant to the | | | | attorney, judge and jury. The bail bondsman's part in |
| bondsman because people usually bail out of jail within | | | | the process is to get the person released from jail and |
| a day or so. So if defendant has been in jail for a | | | | make sure he will appear in court. |
| week or a month, it leads to additional questions about | | | | Because every situation is unique, bail agents learn to |
| why they haven't been bailed out earlier. The delay | | | | rely on experience and intuition when dealing with |
| may be a sign of additional risk factors, such as no | | | | clients. Some ask fewer questions; others ask more. |
| one who knows the defendant well enough to be | | | | But the agents never pass judgment on anyone's guilt |
| willing to take responsibility or the defendant is a | | | | or innocence. Their only judgment call is whether the |
| potential flight risk. | | | | client and defendant take the process seriously |
| Timing can also have a significant impact on how long | | | | enough to follow through on their promises and |
| it takes to bail someone out. For instance, in Los | | | | obligations. |
| Angeles County, small jails may make take an hour or | | | | |