In California, judges set the amount of bail you must pay to regain your freedom after being charged with a crime. For most alleged offenses, bail totals between $20,000 and $50,000. Courts hold this money in escrow, releasing it back to you so long as you fulfill your obligations (such as attending court on the requested dates).
Paying sums of money of this amount upfront, though, is not always possible. Many defendants simply don’t have $50,000 lying around in a bank account, waiting to be used for bail.
That’s where bail bond agencies can help. Here, you pay a small upfront fee to the bail bond company and they then pay your bail on your behalf. In exchange, you turn up to the court on the date set by the judge. When you do, the court releases funds back to the bail bond agency.
How much your bail bond will cost you depends heavily on the severity of the crime. For minor felonies, total bail might only be $5,000, while for the most serious, the court could ask for more than $1 million.
Some counties have a bail schedule for each offense. In Orange County, for instance, bail for domestic violence is $50,000, whereas in Kern County, it is set at $25,000.
How To Calculate Bail Bonds In California?
Regardless of the bail amount, bail bonds are considerably cheaper. Usually, the cost of a bail bond is only 10 percent of the bail amount or less. For instance, if your bail is $20,000, you may only have to pay $2,000 upfront to secure the full bail amount.
You can use a calculator to check the amount you’ll need to pay, depending on your bail. All you have to do is enter the bail amount, and the calculator will show you the price of the bail bond.
While most bail bond agencies charge a 10 percent fee upfront, we offer various discounts to qualifying clients, letting you access lower prices. What’s more, with our payment plans you can spread the cost of your bail bond over several months or even years, if you don’t have the full sum of money ready to go right now.
Please note that payment calculators do not include collateral, nor are they a substitute for a quote. However, they can help you plan the costs of your legal situation and get an idea for how little your bail will actually cost with a bail bond company.
How Are Bail Amounts Set In California?
In most cases, the arresting officer will set the bail amount. They do this to give the defendant an opportunity to secure release quickly. Then, later, a judge may pull a final bail amount from a schedule. (This is a list that shows how much bail to apply depending on the charge).
Because of inflation, judges regularly review bail amounts of offenses. As general prices rise, so too does bail.
Judges may also change bail amounts based on the perceived risk that the defendant will skip court. For instance, if they find that certain types of crime result in higher absenteeism, they may raise rates on these.
Other factors, besides the severity of the crime, can also determine bail amounts. Bail is likely to be more expensive if:
- The defendant has a history of committing crimes or has a criminal record
- The defendant has skipped a court date in the past
- The defendant is unemployed
- The defendant does not have any close ties with other members of the community
Price Of A Bail Bond
Paying bail upfront is expensive. You could be more than $50,000 out of pocket. And the capital could be sitting in escrow instead of working for you to generate income or improve your lifestyle.
Bail bonds in California allow you to protect your capital and reduce the total cost of legal proceedings. They also make up for any shortfall you might have in your personal finances, negating the need to spend weeks or months in detention before your hearing.
California does not have a standard bail rate. Instead, it depends on the official issuing the bail.
However, the California Department of Insurance mandates bail bond fees by law. Most agencies must charge 10 percent, with some, including us, offering discounts in some situations.
The bail bond fee is a nonrefundable charge for providing the bail money to the court. The fee covers the cost of acquiring the capital, plus sending it to the court and administering it. It also covers the costs of operating the bail bond company (rent, payroll, insurance, taxes) and risks of collecting you and depositing you at the court if you fail to turn up at the specified time and date.
For example, if your bail is $20,000, your bail bond will cost $2,000. This fee then covers the bail bond agency’s cost, including the cost of capital.
Why You Should Consider A Bail Bond
Bailing someone out of jail can be extremely expensive. Even minor felonies can attract bail amounts in the tens of thousands of dollars.
What’s more, not paying the bail often isn’t an option. Many defendants have jobs to go to and families to look after. They can’t afford to spend weeks in a cell, waiting for a hearing. They need their freedom now.
Bail agents work as best they can with clients to ensure a satisfactory outcome. They may not be allowed to charge less than the standard 10 percent (except in specific circumstances), but they can offer information, support, guidance and, most importantly, money.
Bail bond firms work behind the scenes to secure your bail. They often have existing relationships with courts and law enforcement officials, allowing them to quickly process your bail and get you out of jail fast.
Get Help Now
If you need a bail bond fast, call on 844-400-2245. We offer low rates and can provide bail either online or over the phone. Get easy payment plans and a friendly service.
