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There isn’t a whole lot that’s confusing about bail bonds. In Los Angeles, your responsibilities as an indemnitor — that’s the person who puts up the collateral for and signs on a bail bond — are very clear.
Of course, when you’re dealing with the stress of hearing that someone you love has been arrested, the added responsibility of dealing with the bail bondsman can make that ‘very clear’ set of responsibilities read like Greek. Here are three things you must understand when you deal with the intricacies of Los Angeles bail.
Bail Bonds are Non-Negotiable
When bail is given, the judge sets the bail cost and it cannot be changed except under very extraordinary circumstances. The cost of California bail bonds is legally fixed at 10% of the total bail — or 20% if the bail is a very low amount. A bail bondsman who charges you any more or any less than 10% is breaking the law, and you shouldn’t work with him.
Bail Bond Payment Plans are Zero Interest
The fact that a bail bond fee is non-negotiable leads to an interesting phenomenon. While some bail bondsman are nice enough to set up payment plans for those people who can’t even make the 10% bail bond cost, they’re not allowed to charge interest on those payment plans. If they do, they drive the total cost of the bail bond above 10%, which is illegal.
Bail Bonds are Not The End of Anything
Even after your loved one has been released because you’ve successfully acquired a bail bond, your responsibility isn’t over — not by a long shot. Not only does the defendant still have to deal with his court case, but YOU are on the hook to make sure he shows up for all of his court dates. If he doesn’t, the bail bondsman can and will come to you to pay back the other 90% of the bail — so make sure the defendant makes every court date.
Bail bonds aren’t complicated things — the hard part is keeping the facts straight while your mind is swimming with stress. Keep your head clear and it will all be over in a matter of hours.