Being arrested, whether it is you or a loved one, is a stressful experience. Your first goal after an arrest is usually to obtain your release from custody as soon as possible. This is achieved by posting bail, a financial guarantee that you will attend court hearings. However, bail is often costly and hard to afford. This is where a bail bond company comes in and offers a convenient and effective method of securing pretrial release. It is vital to understand how this process works in such hard times. At Alana’s Bail Bonds, our licensed Monterey bail bondsmen are ready to guide you through each step.
Meaning of Monterey Bail Bonds
After your arrest, you will be booked in one of the local jails in Monterey. The arresting officer will take a record of your personal details, take a mugshot, and assign you a jail number. Then, during a bail hearing, a judge sets bail, considering the seriousness of the charge, your criminal history, and the likelihood of appearing in court.
Bail is not a punishment; it is meant to help make sure you attend all court hearings. If your family is able to post the full amount of bail with the court, it is referred to as a cash bond. Cash bail may be returned after your case ends if you meet all conditions; however, courts may deduct fees, fines, or restitution.
However, if your family cannot pay the full bail amount upfront, you can seek the services of a Monterey bail bonds company through surety bonds. It is a three-party contract between the defendant, the court, and a bail bond company. The bail bond company pledges the full bail amount to the court, and the defendant is released. The bail bond company will only be obliged to pay the bail amount if you fail to attend court hearings. Your cosigner then pays a non-refundable fee to the bond company in exchange for this service.
The Costs of Monterey Bail Bonds
The major expense of a bail bond is the premium. This is usually a percentage of the total bail amount, which is generally 10 percent and is stipulated by state law. As an example, a premium of 3,000 dollars would be charged on a 30,000-dollar bail. This is the fee that the bail company earns in providing their service and is not refundable, whether the case is won or lost.
For higher bail or higher flight risk, a Monterey bail bond company may also require collateral. Collateral is an asset, like real estate, a vehicle, or other property, that is used as security. It cushions the bail company against loss in case you do not show up in court. When the case is completed, the collateral is returned to its owner.
If you do not attend court hearings and the bail bond is forfeited, the Monterey bail bond company may have to post the set bail amount and use pledged collateral to cover the loss. A reputable bail bond company explains all costs in advance. Knowing how an arrest can put a financial burden on you is crucial; most companies have flexible payment plans and accept different forms of payment to alleviate the pressure.
Duties of a Cosigner of a Bail Bond
If you do not have the cash to pay the premium yourself, a cosigner, often a family member or friend, can help. This is a position with great financial and legal obligations. A cosigner should be a financially stable adult.
The cosigner signs a legally binding bail bond agreement. If the bond is forfeited, the cosigner may be responsible for the amount owed, and the company may recover from collateral or pursue legal remedies. A cosigner is responsible for making sure the defendant goes to court and follows all bail conditions. This role requires them to trust that the defendant will do what is needed fully.
The Bail Bond Process: Step-by-Step Overview
After the decision to use a bail bond is reached, the process is supposed to be efficient. The first step is to contact a licensed bail bondsman. To make the process fast, it is useful to have the following information at hand:
- The complete legal name of the person in custody
- The name and address of the jail or detention facility
- The booking number assigned at arrest
- The charges listed by the jail
The Monterey bail bondsman will draft the legal documents with these details. These contracts will have clearly stated terms, which will include the premium, any collateral requirement, and the obligations of the defendant and cosigner.
Once your co-signer signs the paperwork and the premium is paid, your experienced bail bondsman will then assume responsibility for you by assuring the court that you will attend all court proceedings to secure your release. The release process will then commence, and this will be based on the procedures of the facility.
Consequences of Not Showing Up in Court
If you fail to attend court hearings, commonly referred to as jumping bail, there are severe consequences for you and your cosigner. Legally, the judge will order a bench warrant for your arrest. This may result in new criminal charges for failure to appear, which carry penalties set by state law. Failing to attend court proceedings can damage your credibility and may lead to stricter bail conditions or even denial of bail in the future.
The financial impact is imminent. The court will forfeit the bail, and the bond company must now pay the full amount. The Monterey bail bond company may enforce any pledged security and go to all legal means to recover the entire amount due to them, according to their contractual agreement against you and your cosigner.
Jail and Court Information
Monterey County Jail
1414 Natividad Road
Salinas, CA 93906
Monterey County Superior Court
1200 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93940
Find a Reputable Monterey Bail Bonds Company
When you require Monterey bail bonds, time is of the essence. The most critical thing to ensure that you obtain your release from jail as a suspect in any criminal case in Monterey is to choose a reliable bail bondsman. At Alana Bail Bonds, we know what is at stake each second you spend in jail. Our bail bondsmen are ready to guide you through the process and help you pursue a timely release so you can prepare for court. Contact us today at 619-468-9333 to speak with our bail bondsmen for fast Monterey County bail bond services 24/7.
