Being a union member has many benefits. The most common benefit is having the voice to advocate for your benefits and rights. However, did you know that you can also benefit in legal matters? As a union member, you can be arrested at a time when you are in a tight financial situation, such that posting bail will be challenging. In that case, consider working with an expert and an affordable bail bondsman.
Working with a bondsman comes with various advantages. One of them is that you can benefit from union member discounts based on the company you choose to work with. At Alana's Bail Bond, we offer a wide range of bail bond discounts for qualifying union members. If you are arrested in San Diego, do not hesitate to call us for exclusive deals. This article explains how you can take advantage of your union membership and secure your jail release more affordably.
An Overview of Union Member Bail Bond Discounts
When you are arrested and accused of an offense, the court may require you to make bail to be released before trial. "Bail" refers to the amount of money you deposit with the court as a guarantee that you will make all court appearances. However, sometimes bail amounts are so high that many defendants cannot afford to pay. If this is your situation, you can opt to hire a bail bond company to post a bail bond, also called a surety bond, on your behalf and secure your release.
For a bail bond, you will not deposit the entire bail amount with the court. Instead, you will only pay a percentage of the total bail value to the bond company. The California Department of Insurance regulates this percentage at 10% of the total bail value. It is usually the bond company’s charge for its services; hence, it is non-refundable. Once you pay this percentage, your bondsman will then guarantee the entire bail value to the court, enabling you to secure your pretrial release.
Bond charges can still be high, causing financial stress for defendants. That is why bond companies offer discounts to various groups of people. One of these groups is union members. Bond discounts for union members can be a game-changer. Instead of paying the 10% premium, they can end up paying a lower rate of 8%, 7%, or even 6% of the bond fee, depending on the agency, making their pretrial release more affordable.
Unions Whose Members Can Benefit From Bond Discounts
Currently, California has many unions. The California Federation of Labor alone represents more than 1,300 affiliated unions, which collectively have over 2.3 million members. However, the precise total number of unions is vast and comprises many national organizations with local chapters. Examples of unions whose members can benefit from union member discounts on bail bonds include the following:
- California School Employees Association
- California Teachers Association
- Utility Workers Union of America
- California Trucking Association
- International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
- National Union of Healthcare Workers
- International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers
- California Correctional Peace Officers Association
- United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers
- United Auto Workers
- California Faculty Association
- American Federation of Teachers
- SEIU United Healthcare Workers West
- California Nurses Association
- National Nurses Organizing Committee
- Service Employees International Union
- International Longshore and Warehouse Union
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Members of so many other unions benefit from bail bond discounts. If your union is not listed here, do not think that you will not benefit from a bail bond discount. Inquire from the specific bail bond company you have hired to find out if it offers union member bail bond discounts and if your union qualifies.
Also, note that discounts may vary based on the specific union and the partnership they have formed with a bond company, if any. Contact your union representative to learn more about the discounts available to union members.
How Union Member Discount Bail Bonds Work
The union member discount bail bond process is similar to the standard bail bond procedure. Once the judge sets bail during an arraignment, you will be required to post the amount before you can leave jail. At this point, you can call a bail bond company or have someone else do it on your behalf to request their help. When you call, you can mention that you are a union member seeking to obtain a bail bond.
Your bondsman will want you to verify your union membership. This includes providing evidence of membership, such as your union card or other proof of affiliation with the union. That said, you must generally be a member of a union to qualify for a union member discount bail bond. If you have a co-signer, you may also qualify for a discount if they are a union member.
Apart from verifying your union membership, your bondsman will also ask you to provide other details, such as:
- Your full name and date of birth
- Your supposed crime
- Your booking number
- The location of the arrest
- The jail facility that is holding you
- Bail amount imposed
After providing the above information, the bondsman will prepare a contract and application for the bond and have you sign the paperwork. They will then confirm your eligibility for a union member discount. If you qualify, you will receive a discounted premium rate. The bondsman will then require you to pay the discounted premium, either in whole or through a payment plan. After which, they will travel to court to deposit the bail bond, and your jail release process will start.
Why Union Members Should Secure Bail Bonds
Union members can benefit in various ways by working with bail bond companies:
Reduced Bond Premiums
Being a union member can make you eligible for lower surety bond rates compared to the standard state guidelines. For union members, a bail bond is often more advantageous than a property bond or cash bail. Cash bail requires you to deposit the whole amount up front to the court to secure your release.
The same applies to a property bond. The conditions of a property bond will still apply even if you are a union member. In this case, the court will require you to provide property with twice the value of the total bail amount to qualify to post the bond.
However, for a surety bond, you can benefit from reduced bond premiums. Typically, bail bond companies in California charge 10% of the total bail amount as a premium for their services. However, as a union member, you may be eligible to pay a lower rate instead of the 10% premium. For example, you may pay 8% or 7% of the total bail amount or obtain a percentage off the total premium based on the bond company you have hired.
Familiarity With Local Unions
Many bail bond companies in California offer bail bond discounts to union members. That means these companies are more likely to deal with members of a wide range of unions and are familiar with what is necessary to post a bond. That said, bail bond processing will be quick and straightforward.
Additionally, bondsmen are usually familiar with how local courts and law enforcement operate when it comes to bailing out union members. They know what bail amounts to expect the judge to set and how to navigate the bail process seamlessly. So, if, as a union member, you hire a bond company to bail you out of jail, you can secure your release within the shortest time possible and return to your work.
Around-the-Clock Bond Services
Many bond companies in California operate 24/7, including holidays and weekends, to support clients, including union members. As a union member, you can post bail and secure your release at any time to return to your job. As soon as the judge sets bail, you can contact an experienced bondsman, and they will initiate the process immediately.
Unlike a property bond, which is time-consuming because of the appraisal that the court must conduct, or cash bail, which may take time to raise the required amount, a bail bond is quick. You will only pay a percentage of the total bail amount as a fee, and the bondsman will post the entire bail amount for you.
Payment Flexibility
Apart from receiving a bail bond discount, some companies also have a wide range of payment plan options for eligible members to enable them to pay the discounted premium if you cannot afford it. These payment plans include 1% down, $500, 0% interest financing, and so on. Based on the type of payment plan you qualify for, you make a down payment of a certain percentage, then pay the outstanding amount in installments over a specified period.
For example, suppose your bondsman offers you a union member discount on your premium and requires you to pay 7% of the total bail amount, which is $10,000. In addition, you qualify for a 1% down payment plan. In this case, the bondsman will require you to make a 1% down payment, which is $100, and pay the remaining $600 over a specified period. This will make the payment of your bond premium much more affordable.
Some bond companies also provide free price quotes and no collateral on most union member bail bonds. Thus, if you are a union member and cannot afford the imposed bail amount by yourself, consult an expert bail bondsman immediately regarding your bond options.
How to Locate Bail Bond Agencies That Offer Union Member Bond Discounts
If you are a union member and have been arrested, you should not miss taking advantage of the union member bail bond discounts that many bond companies provide. To achieve this, you need to find a company that offers the best deals. Here are a few tips on how you can find the appropriate bond company for your needs:
- Researching and comparing. Research local bond agencies. Look for companies with positive client reviews and a proven track record of success. Compare their fees and services. Check whether there is information on union member discounts and compare.
- Contacting your union representative. Call your union steward, benefits administrator, or representative and ask whether the union has any informal or formal partnerships with specific bond agencies or legal aid services. Many bond services offer standard discounts to union members. However, a particular bond agency that partners with your union might offer better benefits or terms.
- Checking union member resources. Check the official website of your union, online portal, or member handbook for the most up-to-date information. Many unions outline member resource referrals and benefits for emergency or legal assistance.
- Asking for references. You can also inquire from other union members who have benefited from bond discounts. They can inform you about the company they used, their terms, and their reputation.
Note that, in addition to finding a company that offers union member discounts, you are also looking for one that provides trustworthy and reliable services.
How Union Members Can Navigate the Bond Process
You may find navigating the bond process overwhelming, particularly if it is your first time. This is partly because of the evidence of union membership you must provide. These tips can help you, however:
- Understand bond terms. Ensure you have read and understood the bond contract, including any collateral and payment plan requirements. Know your responsibilities after your release.
- Understand your legal rights. Learning about your rights will help ensure you receive fair treatment throughout the bond process. If you have questions or concerns, you can seek help from your union representative.
- Keep all records. Keep copies of receipts and documents associated with your bail bond. By doing so, you will keep track of all payments and ensure the bondsman is handling everything smoothly.
Contact an Experienced Bail Bondsman Near Me
California is a state with strong union roots. From public service workers to construction trades, unions are the cornerstone of our society. At Alana's Bail Bonds, we acknowledge the commitment and hard work of union members. That is why we offer union members discount bail bonds to minimize the financial stress of securing a jail release. We have the objective of making surety bonds faster, more accessible, and more affordable for union members and their families. If you are a union member arrested in San Diego and wish to post bail, call us anytime at 619-468-9333 to obtain the support you require with our union member discount bail bonds.
