Whether you are the defendant or a loved one, posting bail is often the best way to secure a release from jail until the trial date. When posting bail, though, there are several questions that you’ll want to answer. “Can bail be paid with a credit card?” is one that will be near the top of your agenda.
This quick guide will help you understand how the bail payment process works, answering key questions like;
- Can you use a credit card for bail?
- Can you pay a bail bondsman with a credit card?
- How can a credit card payment be made?
Can Bail be Paid With a Credit Card?
When arrested on suspicion of a crime in the State of California, it is likely that you will be offered the opportunity to post bail. This is when you pay a fee to the courts in return for your freedom between now and the trial date, thus meaning you can resume daily life rather than spend time in custody.
Before you can post bail, though, it’s important to know your options. If paying the courts directly, the options are to pay the full cash fee or use real estate assets (worth double the bail fee) as collateral. Sadly, most courts and jails in the Golden State do not accept direct credit card payments. Instead, payments must be made via cash or checks.
Given that the average bail amount is set to $50,000 while more serious crimes can carry a six or seven-figure bail fee, this decision fits in with the Supreme Court’s decree that it is unconstitutional to keep people in custody due to a lack of funds. After all, paying such a large fee by credit card could land an individual in financial problems if they fail to clear the balance. It also helps the courts avoid any issues with processing credit card refunds at the end of the trial.
Similarly, indemnitors are unable to pay the courts directly through credit cards.
Can You Pay a Bail Bondsman With a Credit Card?
Finding thousands of dollars for a cash bail release isn’t easy, regardless of which payment method you use. However, a professional bail bondsman service provides an alternative solution that is both cost-effective and convenient.
A bail bondsman charges a non-refundable premium that is 10% (or less with our various discounts) of the cash bail figure. So, a $50,000 expense could turn into $5,000 or less, which makes it far more accessible. It is particularly beneficial at a time when you are in custody and want a quick release.
So, the next question is can you pay a bail bondsman with a credit card?
All licensed bail bondsmen are different. At Balboa Bail Bonds, we are pleased to accept all major credit cards as well as debit cards. Moreover, payments can be made 24/7 via telephone or in person at our centrally located San Diego offices.
As well as accepting credit card payments from defendants, Balboa Bonds extends this payment option to indemnitors.
Can You Use a Credit Card For Bail Bond Repayment Plans?
The best bail bondsmen in California, including Balboa Bonds, will accept credit card payments when paying the premium today. However, you may also be wondering “Can bail be paid with a credit card when using a repayment plan?” and will be pleased to learn that you can.
At Balboa Bonds, we offer a wide range of repayment plans. Our flexible financing options allow you to secure your release from custody with just a few hundred dollars today. This is followed by an agreed repayment plan over the weeks or months to follow. Once again, this is offered to both defendants and co-signers alike.
Credit card payments can be used for the initial down payment, subsequent repayment plans, or both. Meanwhile, indemnitors may choose to pay the initial fee with a credit card before passing the rest of the debt over to the defendant once they are out of jail.
As well as offering a convenient solution, credit card payments avoid posting fees, processing fees, and mobile service fees. However, it is your responsibility to research any fees that your credit card company may charge.
The Benefits of Credit Card Payments
When asking “Can bail be paid with a credit card?”, there are many reasons why you may want to take this path. Frankly, this adds to the frustration of not being able to pay the courts directly with them but adds to the appeal of using a bail bondsman – although reduced financial exposure and the support of an experienced licensed professional are major rewards too.
Some of the reasons for wanting to make a credit card payment include;
- You can make the payment instantly, thus allowing the bondsman to get started with the bail process for a quick release.
- There is no need to have the funds available today as you can clear the balance after your monthly statement arrives.
- The credit card payment option can be used to top up your payment if you only have limited funds on another account.
- It’s often easier to keep your bail bond payments organized and separated from daily expenses when using a credit card account.
- The bail bond payment won’t show on your standard bank account, thus allowing you to keep the situation private.
Time is of the essence, and credit card payments allow you to act fast and access capital that may not be readily available elsewhere. For that reason, it is the preferred choice for many.
The Final Word
When asking “Can bail be paid with a credit card?”, you are ultimately asking multiple questions that have different answers. Direct credit card payments to the courts in California are not possible, but credit cards are commonly used to pay bail bondsmen like Balboa Bonds.
Furthermore, it is one of the quickest ways to secure a release from jail for yourself or a loved one while simultaneously avoiding the hassle of finding huge sums of money today. To learn more about paying bail, including through credit card payments, contact Balboa Bonds today.
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