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Have you ever watched ET and at the scene when he was calling home wondered… Did he maybe try to get bail? The law is not biased, even if you are a foreigner visiting. But should you find yourself in a legal pickle on US soil, you can also post bail. Non citizen bail bonds swoop in to get you out of this jam, making sure that you get released as quickly as possible and trying not to disrupt too much of your sight-seeing. 

What Is A Non Citizen?

Before diving in on the juicy bits of non citizen bail bonds, let’s start with the basics. What qualifies as a non citizen in the context of the United States? It's any individual who is not a citizen of the USA. Sorry if it sounds like we are stating the obvious, but the category non citizen is a bit more complex and broad than that. While you might think it's only tourists or immigrants, it also includes other categories like aliens, permanent residents, temporary visitors, and undocumented individuals. Our little ET friend will fall under aliens and not because he is from another planet. But because he is not a citizen of the United States. And even if you as a non citizen get tangled in the wrong side of the law in California, Alana’s Bail Bonds is there to give you comprehensive and confidential service.

Immigration and Criminal Law in Bail Bonds

Here is where the plot thickens…when it comes to bail bonds, immigration law and criminal law intersect like two binary star systems. Their paths become incredibly intertwined when discussing non citizen bail bonds. Interplay between these two can be fascinating and equaling baffling. When non citizens are arrested for commiting a crime, not only will they face criminal charges, but extra collateral consequences can also come into effect. Let's break it down:

When you are arrested on criminal charges as a non citizen, you don’t just have to face these criminal charges alone. You can also be dealing with issues regarding immigration status too! So this means you will have to fight for your freedom on two fronts - criminal court and immigration court (talk about a double whammy!). Even if this dual track system can leave you shaking in your boots, non citizen bail bonds are there to provide you with some guidance.

Non Citizen Bail Bonds Made Easy

Just when you think that it's all storm clouds on the horizon, here is a silver lining - California is a sanctuary state. This means that even non citizens cannot be detained without a warrant or probable cause. And even if you are accused of a crime, you still have options! 

Being a pillar in the bail bonds service, Alana’s Bail Bonds doesn’t need a signature of a standardized citizen or even a SSN (Social Security Number). We got your covered with option A and option B for your non citizen bail bonds.

  1. Voluntary Departure Bonds: A voluntary departure bond offers a chance for non citizens who are facing deportation to leave US soil voluntary. But it must be done within the specified timeframe and also at their own expense. However, if they do not leave or something comes up and they violate any conditions of their bond, they will forfeit the amount immediately.
  2. Delivery Bonds: A delivery bond serves as a sparkling promise that the non citizen will not only appear for all their immigration hearings, but will comply if the court issues a final order of deportation. During this time, the non citizen is released from custody so that they can spend some time with their family, consult with their attorney and even take some needed steps for their immigration case. But the bond amount is set by either a immigration judge or ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). 

How Non Citizen Bail Bonds Work

Because these bonds broke the mold of the traditional bail methods, these two options work a bit differently for non citizens. But the gist of it is still very similar to what the bail process is for U.S. citizens. 

Once a non citizen is detained by the ICE, the initial bond amount gets set. You as the non citizen or even the family member, can pay this amount in full to the Department of Homeland Security which will then grant you your get out of jail free pass.

But if the amount is akin to the asking price of a collectable first edition comic book, you can look for help from a bondsman. Just like any business, they will ask you fees for their services which are non-refundable.

How to Calculate the Cost of A Bail Bond

There is a general rule of thumb when it comes to the calculation of the cost of a bail bond. First of all, your bond agent will charge you a 10% fee for their services and is non-refundable. If your still scratching your head, let's put this in a scenario:

  • After you as a non citizen get arrested in the State of California, a judge can grant you bail at an amount of $25,000.
  • You then make contact with Alana’s Bail bonds who first do a consultation with you before coming to an agreement and then take on the responsibility.
  • You then pay us the 10% premium for services - which comes to $2,500.
  • We then go to the court on your behalf and pay the $25,000 fee directly to the judge to get your release from jail.
  • You then have to conform and meet the terms of your bail - even if it means leaving the U.S. at the specified time.
  • If you do as your bails terms instructed, you get your bail amount back after the trail and legal processes (minus the non-refundable 10% fee of course)

To learn more about non citizen bail bonds or speak to one of our English and Spanish-speaking agents, get in touch today.