An arrest can occur at the most inconvenient of moments. Once the police handcuff you, your affairs must stop until your trial or at least until your release on bail. Time is not on your side, and the more you sit in a Ranchita, CA, jail, the higher the risk of losing your job. Being locked away will also cause your loved ones unwarranted emotional distress and rob you of the time you need to find a reliable legal defense team. That is why Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds operates 24/7. Our round-the-clock availability allows you to contact us at any time for immediate assistance. We have fool-proof steps of securing the release of defendants so that you can rejoin your family as quickly as possible.
One aspect that sets us apart from other bail bond companies is that we pride ourselves on getting down to business immediately. We sympathize with your situation and want to have you out and enjoying fresh air within the least time possible. We aim to ensure each defendant can return home fast and start working on their defense.
Bail Bonds In Ranchita, CA— Everything You Need To Know
Bailing a loved one out of jail does not have to be a daunting process, more so when working with a seasoned bond dealer. The specialist will handle the intricate steps of freeing your loved one, allowing you just to sit and wait once you have settled the service fee.
Here are a few facts you should know:
The Definition of Bail
After your arrest, the authorities will begin processing your case through the criminal justice system. Bail allows you to secure your release while the case is pending. However, if you lack the money required to post cash bail, we can settle your dues for a small fee.
Bail bond companies in Ranchita provide surety that a defendant will return to court on the set dates, up until trial. You merely need to settle a small premium fee instead of putting down the entire bail amount. Companies like Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds have mastered the ropes of ensuring the quick release of defendants. Once you meet all the requirements of securing a bond, we can process your release in about 12 hours, depending on the court's and jail's resources.
How Much Is The Bail Bond?
A bail bond is only 10% of the bail amount. How much money you need to pay your bond dealer will depend on the set bail amount. Depending on the severity of a case, you can post bail from the police cell based on the amount listed on the bail schedule in your county. If not, a defendant must wait for their arraignment, where a judge will determine the bail amount based on the following factors:
- A defendant’s criminal past
- The type and severity of an offense
- A defendant’s community ties
- The accused’s light risk and possibility of jeopardizing public safety
Therefore, if the judge sets the bail at $10,000, you only need a bail bond fee of $1,000. Call us if you have questions about the pricing of our services. Also, we can arrange a suitable payment plan if the bail bond fee is still not within your financial means.
Payment Options Offered By Bond Dealers in Ranchita
The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution forbids the issuance of excessive bail. When the court sets bail according to the bail schedule, the fixed amount for petty misdemeanors can go up to $2,000, while serious felonies can have bails as high as $100,000. However, a judge has the power to disregard the bail schedule and set a higher or lower bail amount.
Moreover, the judge can also find it fit to release a defendant on their own recognizance. This is possible when the accused has a relatively clean criminal past with no FTAs (failure to appear) or arrest warrants in other jurisdictions. It is best to understand that not every defendant qualifies for an OR release.
Unfortunately, even a fairly set bail can still be too high for a defendant. This leaves you with two options:
- Hire an attorney to help convince the judge to lower your bail
- Enlist a bond agent and pay only 10% of the bail amount
A skilled criminal defense attorney can have a judge lower the bail, saving you thousands of dollars. However, appealing for a lower bail is a length process, meaning you have to spend more days behind bars.
It is common for financial complications to arise following an unexpected arrest. If you cannot afford the bondman’s fee, all is not lost, and you can benefit from a payment plan. Note that you must have a bail bond co-signer and collateral such as a car, home, boat, or valuable jewelry to qualify for a convenient payment plan.
Qualifications of a Good Co-Signer in Ranchita
A bail bond co-signer is a guarantor who guarantees that a defendant will be present in court on the scheduled dates. Anyone above 18 can be a co-signer, including a spouse, friend, or relative. Ideally, the right indemnitor should be someone close to the defendant. Before you sign the dotted line, make sure you know the accused intimately enough to help the authorities if they skip court.
When your loved one is arrested, you will want to do everything you can to secure their release from jail. Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies as a credible bail bond co-signer. Apart from being of legal age, it is also necessary for you to be an American citizen that has lived in the same area for a considerable while.
Other basic qualifications of an indemnitor include:
Good Credit History
Just like a loan guarantor, a bail bond co-signer must have a good credit history. This implies that they have a trend of honoring their financial agreements with lenders. A good credit rating coupled with some savings or collateral makes it easier for a bond agent to trust you.
Good Employment History
Another essential qualification is a history of holding down a job for a considerable while. A good employment history means that you receive a regular paycheck that a bail bond agent can count on if the defendant skips court. Generally, sticking to a job also portrays you as a reliable citizen.
Good Sense of Responsibility
Any bail bond contract will not come devoid of some terms and conditions. You should read the agreement carefully to understand its terms and what is expected of you once you sign the dotted line and secure the release of your friend or relative from jail. Note that one of the primary responsibilities of an indemnitor is to be accountable for a defendant’s failure to adhere to the bail bond conditions.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide the following documents before co-signing:
- Your government-issued ID
- Proof of income
- Proof of residency
For you further accelerate the process of securing the release of the defendant, also ensure that you have the following:
- The arrest history of the defendant
- Bondman’s fee in cash, credit card, or debit card
Understanding the Rights and Responsibilities of a Bail Bond Co-Signer in Ranchita
It is necessary to weigh the pros and cons of co-signing the bail bond of a loved one. The easiest way to do so is to understand the rights you enjoy as an indemnitor and the responsibilities that tag along.
Let us begin with your responsibilities:
Guarantee the Bail
Your first and most important responsibility is to guarantee the bail. Note that if the defendant disregards the terms of release, the court will seize the bail and issue a warrant of their arrest. This means that the bond dealer has to pay the bail cash in full to the court.
If you agree to co-sign a loved one’s bail bond, you also agree to settle the bail money if the court forfeits it. Fortunately, you do not have to worry about this as long as the defendant appears in court during all pre-scheduled court dates.
Provide the Collateral
Moreover, you need to provide the 10% bondman’s fee and property collateral that covers the value of the bail amount. Again, you should not worry about losing your property as long as the accused shows up in court all through until the trial date.
Make Sure Your Loved One Attends Court Dates
The best way to ensure a defendant attends court without fail is to drive them to court for all their appointments. Even though you have to sacrifice your time, it will ensure that everyone’s best interests are served.
Keep the Defendant Out Of Trouble
A release on bail is a privilege and not an absolute right. Before the court frees a defendant, it will impose the terms of release. These conditions can include the following restrictions:
- Curfew Orders—rules that dictate when the defendant should be at home each night
- Contact restrictions— a standard condition of release is that the defendant is prohibited from contacting the victims of a case or other co-defendants. If this rule is broken, the court will revoke the bail and order the re-arrest of your loved one.
- Travel Restrictions—sometimes, the court can impose travel restrictions to ensure the defendant remains within a specific town or city. Again, traveling beyond the allowed zone can cause a judge to revoke the bail.
So, what are your rights as a co-signer in Ranchita?
Your first and most important right is the freedom to decide whether to co-sign the bail bond of a loved one. Note that the agreement between you and a bond dealer is legally binding, and the responsibilities mentioned above will fall on your lap if the defendant skips court.
Here are two more rights you enjoy:
The Right to Add Stipulations to the Agreement
As a co-signer, your number one responsibility is to ensure a defendant attends all court proceedings down to the trial. The work and devotion involved in ascertaining prompt court attendance are often underestimated. This is more so if your loved one has a reoccurring problem like coming home late or blacking out while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Fortunately, you can protect your peace of mind and best interests by adding stipulations to the contracts. For example, you can impose a curfew, make it mandatory for the defendant to attend addiction counseling, or even demand that they move into your home.
You can request the bail bond agent cancel the bail and have your loved one re-arrested if they do not comply with your demands. Essentially, this also protects you from blunders that can jeopardize the bail money and, by extension, your collateral.
The Right to Change Your Mind at Any Time, For Any Reason
As a co-signer, you have the right to opt out of your agreement with the bail bond company at any time. Most importantly, you do not need any concrete reason to change your mind. Of course, this will mean that your loved one has to return to jail.
Guarantors often opt out of the bail bond agreement because they fear losing their money or property. Unfortunately, some defendants will not take matters seriously, even with so much at stake. For example, the accused could suddenly begin to ignore your calls or even partake in forbidden activities like contacting the victims. Anything you feel can make you financially responsible for their mistake is enough reason to pull out of a contract.
Ranchita, San Diego County Jail, and Court Locations
San Diego County Sheriff's Department - Ranchita Station
Address: 25704 San Felipe Rd (S-2)
Tel no: (760) 782-3353
San Diego Central Jail
Address: 1173 Front Street
Tel no: (619) 610-1647
Court location
Superior Court of San Diego Ramona Branch
Address: 1428 Montecito Rd
Tel no: (760) 738-2400
Find a Bail Bonding Company Near Me
With the harsh economic times, the task of raising bail for a loved one can stress you. Fortunately, you do not need to fundraise, drain your savings, sell your property or go to any extremes to secure the freedom of someone you love from jail. At Mr Nice Guy Bail Bonds, our surety bonds are available for a mere 10% of the total bail. For more information about our services and how you can get a defendant bailed out in Ranchita, CA, give us a call at 844-400-2245.
