If you have a loved one in jail, you may need the services of an Orange County bail bond company. Find out how the bond process works, what kind of collateral may be used, and what happens to the collateral after the court date. Here are a few explanations of how the process works:
How Does the Bond Process Work?
After an individual has been arrested, they are processed by the court system. They are taken to the police station, where they are booked. This may include recording personal information or being fingerprinted. At the station, they can also check for any outstanding warrants and photograph the accused. There is also an opportunity to call family, an attorney, or a bail bonds agent. The accused will wait for an arraignment hearing, where the judge reads the charges against them and assesses their bail amount. Bail isn’t guaranteed and depends on the charges filed, past criminal history, public safety, and whether the person is determined to be a flight risk. If bail is granted, various factors can affect the amount, such as the current charge or any prior convictions.
Once bail has been set, a friend or family member may pay the bail. The accused may also pay their own bail, but it must be paid in cash and in full. If they can’t afford the bail amount, they can contact us here at our Orange County bail bond company. We offer a contract to have their loved ones released from jail and offer to cover a portion of the total bond amount. Our bond agent can provide security for the entire amount and complete the paperwork required by the court to post the bond. Once the bond has been paid to the court, the accused will be released from jail until their court date. They must report to the local Rocket Bail Bond office upon release.
What Payment Is Required?
After the court posts the bail amount, the bail bond agent will assign a premium. The premium is the fee the bond agent charges and is usually a percentage of the total bail amount. The maximum amount is set by state law, depending on your location. In addition to the premium, you may need to pay court fees.
If you don’t have cash to pay the premium, you may need to liquidate other assets or make payment arrangements before your loved one can be released from jail. We take cash, checks, bank orders, money orders, or credit cards as forms of payment for the premium. We also offer qualified discounts and flexible payment plans for those serving in the military.
When is Collateral Necessary?
The bond agent may provide security for the entire bond amount with the court if the accused fails to attend their hearing. You pay the premium to the bond agent at this time before the person is released from jail. The bond company often requires you to put up some collateral as a guarantee that you’ll pay the balance if the accused misses their court appearance.
The most common items used as collateral are vehicles and real estate. You may use your home as collateral or another piece of property you own, such as a vacation home or undeveloped land. You must own the property free and clear with no liens against it. Our agents will let you know if the property you have will serve as collateral for the bond.
What Happens to the Collateral?
If your home or other real property is your collateral, you’ll need to provide the title as proof of ownership. The bond company may require you to list them as beneficiaries of the property to secure their interest. You can file a deed of trust with the county where the property is located. If you’re unsure how to file the deed, you can have your attorney take care of this step.
The bail bond company can seize the property if the accused fails to attend court. If they attend their court appearance, the bond is satisfied, which means the bond company can release the lien. The verdict doesn’t matter for the release of the bond because it is only affected by the appearance of the accused for their hearing.
Choose an Orange County Bail Bond Company
You can contact Rocket Bail Bonds when you need help getting your loved one out of jail. Our team is here to help you or your loved ones quickly gain release from jail on bond, and paperwork can take as little as 15 minutes. Once the premium is set, we can offer you flexible payment plans. We can explain timelines and how the process works and discuss when a bond is exonerated. If you have any questions about collateral or paying the premium, reach out to one of our agents for answers.
