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The bail bond system in California is an important one. Whenever people are arrested, it’s important that they have a chance to post bail so that they can continue living their lives instead of being stuck in a jail cell while they await their trial. But how many people actually post bail? How often is the system used? And does everyone actually have a chance to post bail and get out of jail?
These are questions that can be answered with statistics! So here are a couple of the most important numbers to help you get a better understanding of how the bail bond system is functioning in California.
What is the average bail amount in California?
According to the California Judicial Council’s Bail Schedule, the average bail amount in California is roughly $50,000. That’s an incredible amount of money for the average bail, especially when you compare it to the national average of $10,000!
There’s a huge difference between bail amounts in California compared to other parts of the country, and there are many different implications as a result of this cost.
The effects of a high bail bond average
For example, having such a high bail amount means that fewer people are actually able to afford bail. If you’re being held in jail for a low-level offense, then you can still expect to pay tens of thousands just to be released from jail.
At Alana’s Bail Bonds, we understand that this just isn’t realistic for the majority of people. Nobody has thousands of dollars laying around in their savings, especially given the high costs of living across California. As such, you’ll want to get in touch with a bail bond agent in your local area to help you out. They can shoulder the costs of the bail and you’ll be able to return home and continue your daily life as you await your trial.
People that are unable to pay the bail bond usually experience major negative effects that could cause a lot of trouble in their life. For instance, being stuck in jail means that you could lose your job, you might be unable to pay your bills or speak with your family, and it also means missing out on school or education. Since you aren’t able to contact all of your friends and loved ones, they could find it hard to stay in touch with you or let you know about certain important life events as well.
While there have been attempts to reform the system in California, none of the proposed ideas will lead to lowered bail amounts. Instead, the changes are targeted at lowering the number of people that end up in jail in the first place.
So in short, a high bail bond average leads to huge consequences for your lifestyle. Since California’s average bail bond is far higher than the national average, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a local bail bond agent to help you overcome the challenge of paying for bail so you can return home safely.
How many people can actually afford to post bail?
With such high bail bond averages, there aren’t that many people who are capable of paying their own bail. In fact, only about 60% of people who are arrested in California can actually post bail. The other 40% are forced to stay in jail, stuck until the day of their trial.
This is because the majority of people who are arrested just don’t have the financial means to post bail. Being unable to afford bail is actually more common among people of color as well. Studies have found that Black people are around 3.5 times more likely to be held in jail before their trial as opposed to white people.
At Alana’s Bail Bonds, we understand not the majority of Californians in and around the San Diego area just can’t afford to post bail. Whether it’s a simple DUI case or something more complicated, everyone has a right to be freed from jail so that they can await their trial someplace safe and comfortable. If that’s the case for you or someone you know, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today for more information.
The highest-recorded bail bond in history was in California
And speaking of high bail bond averages, the highest bail ever recorded was actually in California–a staggering $3 billion for Robert Durst, a real estate investor that was the prime suspect for a murder. This bail amount was set in 2003 but the courts ultimately ruled it to be unfair, considering it an instrument of oppression, then eventually lowering it.
Bail amounts can change
As shown above in Robert Durst’s case, bail amounts can actually change over time. If you have a competent attorney, then it’s entirely possible to negotiate the bail amount to be lower, especially if you think that it’s an unfair amount. Don’t hesitate to speak with your attorney or a legal team to see if you can secure a lower bail amount.
The bail bond industry is a $2 billion business
The bail bond industry is reportedly worth $2 billion USD. This statistic isn’t unique to just California, but it goes to show just how much money goes through this system. As of 2020, there were over 13,000 bail bond outfits in the country with a total of 24,000 employees. That’s a huge industry that Alana’s Bail Bonds is a part of.
One of the contributing factors to this is that bail is often excessive–as seen in the previous section! The US criminal justice system typically has extremely high bail bond amounts that are often equal to around eight months of income for the average person. This is a huge amount of money to have laying around just to post bail–it’s just not realistic!
This is why bail bond companies such as Alana’s Bail Bonds exist. We understand that bail is often excessive–even for low-level offenses! Don’t be ashamed that you can’t afford bail. Reach out to us instead and we’ll help you take care of those costs.
Facts about bail bond agents
Ever wanted to learn more about the bail bond agents at Alana’s Bail Bonds? Here are some unique statistics!
Most bail bond agents are women
Have you ever wondered about the gender of bail bond agents? According to statistics, around 56.6% of bail bond agents are actually women! Case in point–Alana’s Bail Bonds, a female military veteran-owned and managed business that is proud to offer fast and simple bail bond services with 0% interest and no collateral needed!
Bail bond agent education levels
Bail Bond agents need to be educated in order to do their job correctly. That’s why the majority of bail bond agents have a Bachelor’s degree. Here’s the full breakdown:
- Bachelor’s - 29%
- Associate - 27%
- High School Diploma - 26%
- Other Degrees - 10%
- Diploma - 8%
Who becomes a bail bond agent?
The bail bond industry tends to attract people that want a role that is related to banking and lending, or those who have a passion for securing freedom for their loved ones. These agents are passionate about their local community, which is why they want to serve them and fight against the oppressively high bail amounts in states like California.
And for many, such as Alana’s Bail Bonds, the idea of helping people post bail is a personal issue. Many bail bond businesses are set up to defend local communities from high arrest and jail numbers and to serve those who may not speak English very well. Alana’s Bail Bonds has over 20 years of experience in the industry, and as a local San Diego bail bonds company, we have agents available 24/7 that can speak both English and Spanish.
Bail facts and statistics in California
Now let’s cover some California-specific bail bond facts and statistics.
How frequently do people skip bail in California?
It’s estimated that around 25% of defendants fail to appear in court after they’ve been released. When this happens, bail bond companies will simply tell local law enforcement where they can find the person. They won’t waste time hiring people to look for and track down those people. However, this is usually a bad idea for the defendant as it just makes things worse for both their financial health and their criminal record.
How often do people post bail after being arrested in California?
It’s estimated that around 60% of people who are arrested will eventually post bail. That leaves 40% stuck in jail either because they don’t have the contact information of a local bail bond company, or because they are financially unable to do so. Even if you’re in a tight financial spot, we highly recommend you get in touch with us or any other bail bond agent to see what options are available to you. You’d be surprised at how affordable it can be to secure bail from a local company.
How long does it take to bail someone out in California?
Once you have contacted a bail bond company and arranged for bail to be posted, you can expect the entire process to take around a few hours. That means you’ll only ever sit in jail for a couple of hours before you are released. However, it’s worth mentioning that if the bail amount is set significantly higher, then you might have to wait a couple more hours or even up to a day if the amount is particularly high.
What is the percentage to get a bail bond in California?
When you get in touch with a bail bond agent, you’ll typically be expected to pay around 10% of the full bail amount to them for their services.
So let’s say your bail amount is $10,000–the national average. When you get in touch with a bail bond agent in California, you’ll be expected to pay around $1,000 for their services. They will stay in touch with you throughout the process, and you’ll be released in a few hours. If you’re unable to pay the full amount up front, then there are payment plans available to help you spread the costs out.
Do you get your bail money back?
Although bail can be ludicrously high at times, it’s entirely possible to get your bail money back assuming you make all court appearances and are not found guilty of a crime. However, the bail money goes back to whoever posted it, and if you’re using a bail bond agent, then this means it’s going back to the agent.
This means you won’t get back the bail premium, which is usually around 10% of the bail amount. However, it does mean that you won’t need to pay the other 90% of the bail amount! This is the core of how bail bond agents work. The 10% premium that is charged by every bail bond agent goes towards various expenses, such as paying for the agent’s wage.
How often are people re-arrested after being released on bail?
In California, it’s estimated that around 23% of people who are arrested and released on bail will be re-arrested in the future. If you’re re-arrested, then the bail bond agent will be relieved of their responsibilities to the defendant. The court will then decide if they’ll post bail again, usually at a much higher amount, or if they’ll revoke bail completely and give you no chance to leave jail before your trial. As such, it’s within the defendant’s best interests to stay out of trouble after bail is posted.
Contact Alana’s Bail Bonds for more information
Whether you’re preparing for a situation where you’re arrested, or if you’re looking for information to help release a friend or family member, we hope that these statistics and facts have been insightful. If you need a professional bail bond agent to provide more advice, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today for more information.
