What is better, a bail agent or a bail bondsman?
These two titles may sound different but they really mean the same thing. A bail agent is a bail bondsman and vice versa.
How much does a bail bond cost?
Pricing is dependent on the amount of the bail. In California, bail bond companies charge 10% of the bail price. If your loved one’s bail is $10,000, then it will cost $1,000 to bail him out using a bail bond company.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes. At SmartBail Bail Bonds we can offer a 20% discount on the price of the bail bond if a co-signer is a member of the military, AARP, is a homeowner, or if the client has a private attorney. With this discount, instead of paying $1,000 for the same bond, you only have to pay $800.
What is a co-signer?
A co-signer is anyone who is willing to sign for your loved one’s release. The co-signer is promising that all the money will be paid and that their loved one will go to all of their court dates. A co-signer takes responsibility for their loved one.
How do I make payments?
We accept a number of different payment methods at SmartBail Bail Bonds. We accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards. We also have the ability to accept payments online, over the phone, or in person at an office.
How much do I have to pay?
Again, cost depends on the price of the bail itself. Initially you need to pay 10% of the bail. Depending on your information, we may be able to offer discounts.
With interest, how much do I have to pay?
At SmartBail Bail Bonds, we do not charge interest on our bail bonds, you only have to pay the 10%.
How much do I have to put up front?
Again, pricing varies from case to case and depends vastly on the people who are co-signing the bail bond.
How long does it take for my loved one to be released?
After the initial payment has been received, your loved one can be out in as little as 2 hours. However, the time varies from county to county. Time can vary anywhere from 2 hours to several, depending on the current workload of the jail.
Can you see if I have a warrant?
Yes, we can. If you think there might be a warrant out for your arrest, just call SmartBail Bail Bonds and we will see if you do indeed have a warrant.
Who can bail out my friend?
Anyone who cares about your friend can bail him or her out of jail. You do not have to be related to someone to bail him or her out of jail.
Can you bail my friend out of jail in Nevada?
No. At SmartBail Bail Bonds, we are only licensed to bail people out of any jail in California. If you want to bail someone out of jail in a state other than California, you will need to contact a bail agent from that state.
Do you do immigration bonds?
No. There are companies that specialize in those kinds of bonds.
What happens if I do not bail out my friend or family member?
Your loved one stays in jail until he or she is either found innocent and released or found guilty and sentenced. Until then your loved one has to go to all court appearances in an orange jumpsuit which does not look good to the court.
If I cannot bail somebody out immediately, up to how many days do I have to be able to bail them out of jail?
There is no time limit to bailing a friend or family member out of jail. Your loved one can be bailed out of jail until he or she has been sentenced.
Do I need to give collateral?
Most bonds at SmartBail Bail Bonds do not need collateral. We use your signature as collateral in most cases. However, for larger bails, starting around $100,000, you may need to put down something as collateral. This varies from case to case and depends greatly on the co-signers.
What happens if I miss a payment?
If you happen to miss a payment, it is not a huge deal. If you know in advance that you are going to be late on a payment, let us know. SmartBail Bail Bonds knows that life can be difficult at times and that things that were certain a few months ago, might have changed. If your budget has changed, we can work with you on payment and even re-adjust your payment plan to fit your budget better.
Can you tell me what my friend or family member was arrested for?
Yes, we can. Just give us your friend or family member’s name, birthday, and the county where he or she was arrested. SmartBail Bail Bonds will use that information to find your loved one’s information in the county system and to answer any of your questions.
Do I have to wait to finish making my final payment before I can be bailed out again?
No. SmartBail Bail Bonds can adjust the payments on your first bail bond to make it easier on you to pay for both of them.
If I get approved, how much time do I have to make the first payment?
It depends on your individual situation. SmartBail Bail Bonds can customize our payment plans to work with your budget and situation.
Will I receive a statement every month?
Yes.
What is collateral?
Collateral is something of equal value to the bail bond that the co-signer puts up to cover the bond. If the client fails to pay for the bail bond, then the company takes whatever was put up as collateral.
Can I use a payment plan to pay for the bail bond?
Yes. SmartBail Bail Bonds creates payment plans for all of our clients to help make paying for the bail bond easier. We will work with you to create a customized payment plan that fits into your personal budget. The payments will break up the large cost of the bail bond into smaller, more manageable monthly payments.
For a FREE consultation or if you have more bail-related questions, call SmartBail Bail Bonds at 213-387-5566 or Chat With Us now.
