Arrests can happen abruptly, even to persons with no criminal intent or history. When they do, it is easy to panic, especially if it is your first encounter with the criminal justice system. Fortunately, the constitution gives you the right to a fair trial, including the right to prepare your defense. Unless the court perceives you as a threat to others or a flight risk, the judge will likely grant bail. Posting bail allows a defendant to enjoy a temporary release and prepare for the trial. At Fausto's Bail Bonds, we offer state and federal bail bonds in Riverside. You can trust us to provide fast and affordable assistance with top-quality customer service, irrespective of the reasons behind your arrest.
We believe no one deserves to sit in jail, especially if they qualify for post-trial release. Bail is an unexpected expense, and this is something we understand too well. Let us help you secure the release of your loved one for a small percentage of the total bail. We can work out a flexible payment plan if the premium is too high. We aim to get your loved one home while protecting you from the impact of a substantial unplanned expense.
Facts About Bail and Bail Bonds You Should Know
When a judge sets the bail amount, the defendant can go free while awaiting trial as long as they post the money with the court. Bail is money intended to encourage defendants to appear in court as required.
If the court agrees to release you on bail, there are four main ways you can be released from custody:
- By posting the total amount of bail in cash with the court
- By using real estate property
- By securing Riverside bail bonds from a bondsman
- Through release on your own recognizance
When released on bail, the bail money or property you place with the court will be returned if you make court appearances as required. Failure to appear for hearings results in the court forfeiting bail money or property used as collateral. Likewise, if you skip court, your bond agent must deposit the full bail amount with the court. Apart from pursuing your bail cosigner to recover the lost money, the bondman will also sell property used as collateral to cover the incurred losses.
A bond dealer can provide reliable assistance if you are in legal trouble, but your financial situation does not allow you to post cash bail. The expert can secure your release for a fee as low as 10% of your total bail.
Some of the Riverside bail bonds you can secure from experienced bonding companies include:
- Misdemeanor bail bonds for offenses like petty theft and non-violent drug possession
- Felony bail bonds for serious crimes like fraud and assault
- DUI bail bonds
- Immigration bail bonds
What You Should Know Before Contacting a Bail Agent
If you, your friend, or a loved one has been arrested and booked for a legal violation, a bond dealer can help you secure your release from jail. Bail bond services are fast, reliable, and affordable. Before you contact a local company for Riverside bail bonds, here is essential information you should have:
The Defendant's Personal Information
Basic information about the defendant is crucial before contacting a bail bond agent. Know the defendant's full name and double-check the spelling. Also, you need to know the accused's birth date, the facility they are being held in, and their booking number. Having this information will ensure a quicker release once you contact the bondsman.
Moreover, it is essential to determine whether the court allowed your loved one to be released on bail. If the judge sets bail, but you were not present during the arraignment, you can contact the jail facility where your friend or relative is held and request that information.
Know That the Bondsman's Fee Is Nonrefundable
If you wish to secure a bail bond for a loved one, you should know that the bondsman's fee is nonrefundable. A bail bond is like a loan; the 10% fee is the interest. The fee covers the agent's services, including contacting the jail facility to have your loved one freed within the shortest time possible.
Even if a defendant skips court and is re-arrested within a few days, you will still not receive any refund. If the court forfeits bail and the bondman has to post the entire bail amount, you will not receive a refund of items used as collateral. On the bright side, you can expect a bond dealer to return collateral if a defendant sticks to all the conditions of release. Dependable agents will also not charge any hidden fees.
You Will Sign an Indemnity Contract
Before securing a bail bond, your agent will ask for at least two cosigners. A bail bond cosigner, also referred to as an indemnitor or guarantor, is a person who agrees to take responsibility for repaying money owed to the bondman if the accused skips bail or fails to attend court hearings as promised.
Before you can cosign a bail bond for a friend or loved one, the agent will ask you a list of questions to ensure you can bear the financial liability of the bond. Depending on the company you work with, verifying your eligibility as a cosigner may include running credit checks and confirming your employment status. If the defendant skips court, the indemnitor is responsible for repaying the forfeited bail.
A bail bond cosigner can protect their best interests by making the necessary follow-ups to ascertain a defendant appears in court for all the hearings until the trial date. You can also set demands that the defendant must abide by during post-trial release. If you suspect a loved one could skip court and make you lose your money, you have a right to counsel the indemnity agreement and have the accused re-arrested.
Bail Agents Can Use Bounty Hunters
Riverside bail bonds help the government ensure defendants can enjoy post-trial release before the court determines their fate. By law, bonding companies can take the necessary measures to protect their bottom line if a defendant skips bail, causing significant financial losses. One of these measures can include hiring a bounty hunter to find the fugitive.
A bounty hunter is a skilled professional hired by a bail bond company to hunt down fugitives for a small fee or commission. Once you are returned to jail, the court will impose additional charges for failure to appear (FTA). Depending on your current charges, an FTA conviction can lead to extra jail time of 6 months to 3 years and a fine between $1,000 and $5,000. A record of skipping court also reduces the chances of a judge granting bail in the future if you find yourself in legal trouble.
How Much Does Bail Cost?
Bond dealers must comply with the allowable bail premiums set by the law. Some statutes protect defendants from excessive, inadequate, or unfair bondsman fees. While it is up to a bail bond company to grant or deny the allowable discounts, they must charge about 10% of the total bail amount as the premium.
The bondsman's fee for most offenses is 10%, although it could be higher if you want a federal or immigration bond. While the former costs up to 15% of the set bail amount, immigration bonds can be as high as 20%.
Irrespective of the bond you need, a well-established bond dealer will provide quick assistance once you settle the premium. Most companies can accommodate a range of payment modes, including credit and debit cards, checks, cash, PayPal, and money orders. You can also choose to enter a flexible payment plan if you cannot raise 10% of the total bail set by a judge.
To pay the premium in installments, your agent will likely ask you to put down 1% or 2% of the bondsman's fee and have a cosigner with good credit. You can pay the rest at a later date or in bits over several months. Even better, some companies allow 0% Riverside bail bonds. The arrangement involves using collateral instead of money, a promissory note, or payday loans.
Arrests are unplanned events that can catch you in a tight financial spot. Working with a company ready to stand with you during your darkest moments is crucial. The surest way to know the required bondsman's fee and whether you qualify for a payment plan is to contact an experienced bail bond agent.
Blunders to Avoid When Posting Riverside Bail Bonds
The arrest of someone you love can throw you into a whirlwind of emotions. You need to make fast decisions to save your loved one from spending time in jail. Before you make decisions based on a whim, there are three common blunders you must avoid:
Failure to Ask the Right Questions
Speed is of the essence, but you cannot afford to sign agreements with the first Riverside bail bonds agent you can find. It is crucial to research and ensure the professionals you choose can provide fast, reliable, and convenient services.
Some vital questions include whether a company is licensed to provide bail bond services. You also need to know about the fees charged and the potential duration of the release process. To ensure you receive the best assistance, choose a company that operates round the clock.
Failure to Evaluate the Defendant
Bail bond companies do not discriminate. If a judge grants bail, the experts will be happy to step in and ensure a defendant is freed sooner than later. The company will protect itself from potential losses by demanding a cosigner and collateral. Furthermore, the cosigner must sign an indemnity agreement, allowing the agent to forfeit collateral if the defendant flees and skips a court date.
Evaluating a defendant before you opt to post bail is crucial. Find out what charges they face, whether they have a criminal past, and their likelihood of complying with the terms and conditions of release. If you suspect a loved one is a flight risk or could engage in activities that endanger the collateral you present, consider imposing your own terms before co signing a bail bond. For instance, you could sign the agreement only if the accused agrees to stay in your home until the trial.
Failure to Go Through the Bail Conditions
Bail conditions often involve more than just attending court dates without fail. The court could also demand that the defendant checks in with a pretrial service officer several times weekly. It is also common for the release terms to ban the accused from owning a firearm, hanging around certain people, or using drugs and alcohol during their release.
Violating the terms of release can also lead to bail forfeiture. For instance, the court can order random drug tests to ensure the accused remains clean during release. If a drug test shows your loved one has consumed a controlled substance, the court can order their arrest and forfeit the bail. Understanding the set terms of release will make it easier to put measures in place to ensure the accused complies.
Riverside Jail and Court Information
Jail information
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
The Robert Presley Detention Center
Blythe Jail
Court Information
Riverside County Superior Court
Find a Bail Bonds Company Near Me
If you need a fast release from jail in Riverside, turn to Fausto's Bail Bonds for convenient and affordable services. We operate 24/7 to ensure you leave prison as quickly and discreetly as possible. Our track record of providing fast and reliable assistance has helped us build a reputation that gives our clients confidence in our services. For more information about bail bonds or to speak to one of our skilled agents, please call us at 855-328-7867.