In a perfect world, a defendant pays the entire bail amount, secures their release, all parties are satisfied, and life goes on. However, that is not always the case. California law recognizes this reality and makes provisions for Indian Wells bail bonds. If you or a relative has been arrested, you can seek the assistance of Fausto's Bail Bonds. Our competent agents can do their best to ensure all requirements are made quickly for bail bonds that provide you and your family peace of mind and a prompt release.
Everything You Need to Know About Bail Bonds
All U.S. citizens are entitled to bail if the accused is charged with a non-capital or severe offense. According to the Judiciary Act of 1789, the court should grant bail upon every arrest in criminal charges. However, when the crime carries death as the penalty, only a circuit or the supreme court or a judge who should exercise their discretion should grant bail.
The judge will determine your bail amount during an arraignment (initial court appearance). Bail is the sum you post with the court to avoid being detained throughout your criminal case. It represents your commitment to attend all scheduled court proceedings. While specific guidelines apply when setting the bail amount, a judge has the discretion to either reduce or increase the amount. Sometimes, the judge can grant you release on your own recognizance (you will not have to pay any amount).
Other times, the judge can deny bail if they think the accused:
- Is a flight risk
- Poses a threat to their community
- Has an arrest warrant in another jurisdiction
You can pay your bail with the arresting police office in California before showing up for your arraignment (bail schedules). The needed amount for your bail depends on the alleged crime. The difference between bail determination by a judge and bail schedules is that the judge can alter the bail amount. The judge will consider factors like the accused community ties, employment status, criminal history, and the nature of the alleged offense. If you are reluctant to post the required bail schedule amount, you must wait for your arraignment and present the case to the judge.
When a person is arrested, they are released from detention after posting the entire bail amount set by the judge. Some bail amounts run into thousands of dollars, and only a few individuals can afford the amount. That is how Indian Wells bail bonds agents come in handy.
You can also seek the assistance of a bondsman even if you have money to post cash bail to retain a low profile, particularly if you are accused of the sale of controlled substances. If the judge or prosecution believes that you feloniously obtained bail, the judge will hold the release and schedule a court hearing to settle the matter. If you establish you legally acquired the amount, the court will accept the bail. If you do not, the judge will not accept the bail and can even increase it, depending on the case circumstances.
The California state government strictly regulates the bail bonding industry. Most skilled bondsmen are licensed after undergoing primary and rigorous education and training.
Bail bonds are surety bonds posted by a bondsman on your behalf. It promises that the agent will take responsibility for your court appearances. The bail bonding company will pay the entire forfeited amount if you skip bail. For this service, your bail bond agent will charge a non-refundable premium (typically ten percent of your set bail amount).
Sometimes to ensure the defendant complies with their release conditions, the bondsman will require collateral from the defendant. The collateral value should be equivalent to the bail amount. Once the case is closed, the bondsman will duly return the collateral, provided you appeared in all court hearings. Collateral can be anything valuable, including jewelry, motor vehicles, real estate, stock, and antiques.
When contacting an Indian Wells bail bonds agency, ensure you provide them with the details below:
- The suspect's full name
- Booking number
- Name of the jail
- The criminal charge
- The accused's date of birth, address, and phone number
Once the agent has the required details, they will go to the detaining jurisdiction. They will pay the bond after completing the necessary paperwork. Depending on how busy the jail is and the time, the release process can take thirty minutes to a few hours.
Once you are released, it would help if you obeyed your release conditions, including:
- Showing up in court whenever required
- Do not leave California unless authorized
- Avoid committing any other crime
- Avoid contacting the alleged victim or their witnesses
- Do not drive your car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Restrain from visiting specific places or gang members
- Enrolling in an anger management program
Cosigning Indian Wells Bail Bonds
For most bondsmen in Indian Wells, co-signing is as crucial as the bond premium they collect from granting bonds. A co-signer is an Indemnitor (a person that assumes the risk, responsibility, and costs associated with apprehending the accused if they skip bail). Sometimes, even when you have your own money, your bondsman can require that you provide a co-signer as an additional assurance that you will attend all court proceedings.
Usually, any adult is eligible to be a co-signer. It can be your relative, business partner, spouse, parent, employer, or close friend. Most bail bonding companies are strict as far as choosing your Indemnitor is concerned. Your co-signer should have full-time employment or possess real estate in California. Some companies do not agree to the use of boyfriends or girlfriends because should a breakup occur, it can lead to challenges for all the parties involved.
Not everyone can be a co-signer. Your co-signer should be a U.S. citizen, have a good credit score, and with stable employment.
If you accept to be a co-signer, you should present a valid driver's license or identification card. Other requirements include:
- Picture identification
- Proof of employment (at least two consecutive pay-stubs; can be electronic or paper)
- If your agent wants a vehicle title or the deed to an asset, you can bring proof of ownership.
- Collateral
- Form of premium payment
The Risk You Take When You Agree to Be a Co-Signer
Indemnification means making whole again. In other words, if the accused fails to attend a court hearing on a $1,000 bail bond, you will make the court whole again by posting the entire bond amount.
Due to the financial risk involved, here are factors to consider when deciding whether to cosign bail bonds for a loved one or not:
- Who are you co-signing for? How close are you to the defendant? Are they responsible? Can you trust them? Are they likely to flee the jurisdiction?
- How can you help? You can ensure the accused attends their court hearings by spending more time with them, keeping them away from gang members or bad influence, and creating a positive environment around them while awaiting their trial.
Ensure you read and understand the Indemnity agreement. If you have questions, ensure the bondsman clarifies. It would help if you understood your duties before entering a legal contract.
The court can forfeiture the bail amount posted when the defendant skips bail. When this occurs, the court issues a show-cause that is served to all parties involved. The document offers a court date that the defendant, their bondsman, and co-signer should go to court. The rationale of the hearing is to allow these parties to challenge the forfeiture. If the bondsman or their bounty hunters have apprehended the fugitive and surrendered them to police, the court will not forfeit the bond amount.
If the accused is still on the run, the court will give you time to find them or have the defendant turn themselves in. Otherwise, the court will forfeit the entire bail sum. That is why it is in your best interest to assist your bail bond company or their bounty hunters find the defendant if you know how to locate them or a person that does.
If you believe the defendant will not comply with their release conditions, you can request the bondsman to revoke the Indemnity agreement. You relieve yourself of all criminal and financial obligations by canceling the bond. The cons of your withdrawal are that the court will nullify the bail bond and have the defendant re-arrested.
Fausto's Bail Bonds is dedicated to maintaining clear communication with co-signers and defendants. It aids in preventing confusion and ensures all bail terms are satisfied.
How Indian Well Bail Bonds Payment Plan Works
Without posting bail, you will remain detained. That is adequate time to be terminated from your employment or expelled from your school. It is an unfair disadvantage for individuals not to have financial resources to secure their loved one's release. Nevertheless, that should not prevent you from looking for assistance; your bondsman can design a flexible payment plan that allows you to pay the entire premium based on your financial abilities.
The payment plans can take different forms such as credit cards, check, money orders, wire transfers, among other related payment methods. Different firms have various financing options. Every specific case involves specific circumstances, making it essential to discuss with the agent before signing any document.
Determining Your Down Payment
If a defendant cannot afford to pay the 10% premium, they can negotiate with their bondsman to pay a down payment. A down payment is a percentage of the premium, and then the accused can post the outstanding balance later using their agreed-upon payment plan.
Much goes into determining the most appropriate down payment for a given case. Your set bail amount will significantly impact your down payment size. The more considerable the set bail amount, the more massive your down payment.
Other factors that determine your payment plan qualification include:
- Employment history
- Arrest history
- Duration of residency
- Capability to make payment
- Credit score
Ensure you know the interest rate applicable to your outstanding balance.
Since the Indian Wells bail bonds payment plans work like loans, your bondsman can also consider collateral availability when determining the eligibility for a flexible payment plan.
When negotiating your payment plan, decide the sum you are comfortable paying monthly to avoid skipping any payment, leading to accrued interest rate and loss of collateral. Please note that you should clear the balance regardless of the dismissal of your criminal charges, whether you are found not guilty or not, or the case is closed.
If you have a cosigner, your bondsman can also consider the co-signer's credit score when determining your payment plan qualification.
Most Indian Well Bail Bonds companies are willing to finance when the co-signer has a proven employment track record. The credit score is not essential, provided the co-signer has been employed for at least twelve consecutive months at the same job.
You can also take advantage of offered discounts.
Courthouse, Jail, and Police Department Location and Contact Information
Indian Wells Sheriff's Department
Phone: (760) 836-3215
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside - Palm Springs Courthouse
Phone: (760) 393-2617
Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility
Phone: (951) 922-7540
Contact a Qualified Bail Bonds Agent Near Me
Everyone makes mistakes. Nevertheless, it is stressful and scary when the mistake lands a relative or friend in police custody. While you want the loved one released promptly, it can be challenging to afford the entire set bail amount. And even when you do, you still have bills to pay and mouths to feed.
At Fausto's Bail Bonds, we understand how much of a financial burden it can be to pay bail. Consequently, we are committed to making the process easier with affordable Indian Wells bail bonds and flexible financing payment plans. Since every case is unique, we encourage you to contact us. Our agents can develop a payment plan that suits your needs and budget so that you can return to your family, school, or employment sooner. Please call us at 855-328-7867 at any time of the day to learn how we can assist you.