Posting bail is essential the moment you or someone you love is arrested. As soon as the court sets the bail amount, you need to pay it to get out and go back home. It prevents unwanted jail time and gives you more freedom to plan your defense for the upcoming court case. However, posting bail is difficult as it’s often extremely expensive – and that’s where a professional bail bond agency can help.
At Balboa Bail Bonds, we’ll provide you with a bail bond to get out of jail ASAP. People tend to be cautious when bail bonds are mentioned as they worry they’re more costly than posting bail alone. Don’t bail bonds come with loads of excess fees, and aren’t you forced to offer something valuable as collateral?
No! Neither statement is true – and this is thanks to no collateral bail bonds. They’re a unique type of bail bond offered by bail bond companies, and we’ll explain what they are and how to post bail with no collateral in California.
What is a No Collateral Bail Bond?
No collateral bail bonds allow defendants to post bail without providing any assets as collateral. This means you don’t have to use your house, car, or financial assets to obtain the bail bond. It’s a relatively simple concept, yet so many individuals are unaware it exists.
With no collateral bail bonds in California, the bail process typically looks like this:
- Bail is set
- You find a bail bond agency to help you post bail
- You pay the usual fee for this service (10% of the bail amount)
- A trustworthy individual cosigns the bond
- The bail bond agency pays the court, and you’re released on bail
In processes where collateral is required, you tend to offer this up after the third step instead of having a cosigner. Sometimes, you may need a cosigner and collateral, but in most cases, only one is necessary.
Why Cosigners Are Needed For No Collateral Bail Bonds
We mentioned that no collateral bail bonds will require a cosigner – but what does this mean, and why is it necessary?
A cosigner is simply someone who signs onto the bond and assumes responsibility for it. They tend to be a relative or friend who’s willing to take on this responsibility for you. In a strange way, they replace the need for collateral as they agree to repay any debts owed if the bail bond terms are void.
That’s effectively why they’re needed. Without collateral, the bail bond agency is at risk of losing money should things fall through. If you don’t attend your court dates or try to skip bail, the court will demand the full bail payment. It’s up to the bail bond agency to pay this, and they can’t seize collateral from you to cover the costs. With a cosigner, they have someone who is legally required to pay this debt in your favor.
It means the bail bond company doesn’t lose a lot of money, so the lack of collateral is no longer an issue!
Who can be a Cosigner?
There are no rules on who can cosign your no collateral bail bond. They can be any relation to you and are allowed to be based anywhere in the country. The two key things to keep in mind are:
- They must be willing to take on this responsibility and should understand their role
- They must pass the relevant background and financial checks
When both boxes are ticked, this individual can cosign the bond, and you’re ready to be released from prison.
What Determines if Collateral or No Collateral Bail Bonds Are Required?
Collateral bail bonds still exist, so how do bail bond agencies determine if they should request collateral or not? First of all, the majority of crimes do not require collateral. You can have a no-collateral bail bond for any of the following:
- Petty theft
- DUI
- Domestic violence
- Assault
Whether or not collateral is required tends to come down to the same factors that determine the bail amount. Most notably, repeat offenders and those suspected of being a flight risk are viewed less favorably. These people will usually have higher bail amounts anyway, but a bail bond agency also sees them as a considerable risk. Therefore, no collateral bail bonds are less likely to be provided.
Moreover, certain crimes of a high severity will not qualify for no collateral bail bonds. This is usually because the total bail amount is significantly higher than average. Bail bond agencies see it as too risky to rely on a cosign alone, so they will also request collateral as a protective measure.
In other words, if you’re a first-time offender whose been convicted of a non-Federal crime, you’ll be eligible for a no collateral bail bond. Your chances of getting one of these bonds increase if you have strong community ties, a good credit history, and a stable employment record.
Why You Should Always Look For a No Collateral Bail Bond
Simply put, it helps you go home from jail without putting your personal assets at risk. Also, as we’ve just established, collateral is rarely required for a bail bond. It doesn’t make sense to put your house or car up alongside your bond unless it’s truly necessary. No collateral bail bonds lessen the financial pressure on your shoulders as you don’t have to worry about losing things if something goes wrong.
Find No Collateral Bail Bonds in California Today!
If you’re in a sticky situation and need to be bailed out of jail, then contact Balboa Bail Bonds today. We offer no collateral bail bonds that only require a cosigner on your behalf. Our service runs 24/7, so we can process the paperwork and carry out any background checks as quickly as possible. Get in touch with us now to begin the bail bond process and you’ll be back home before you know it.